3.5 Cold weather operation Operation Battery z The battery generates flammable gas, so do not bring fire or sparks near the battery. z Battery electrolyte is dangerous. If it gets in your eyes or on your skin, wash it off with a large amount of water and consult a doctor. z Battery electrolyte dissolves paint. If it gets on to the bodywork, wash it off immediately with water. z If the battery electrolyte is frozen, do not charge the bat- tery or start the engine with a different power source. There is danger that the battery may explode. z Battery electrolyte is toxic, so do not let it flow into drainage ditches or spray it on to the ground surface.
When the ambient temperature drops, the capacity of the battery will also drop. If the battery charge ratio is low, the battery elec- trolyte may freeze. Maintain the battery charge as close as pos- sible to 100%, and insulate it against cold temperature so that the machine can be started easily the next morning. REMARK Measure the specific gravity and calculate the rate of charge from the following conversion table. z As the battery capacity drops markedly in low temperatures, cover the battery or remove it from the machine, keep it in a warm place, and install it again the next morning. z If the electrolyte level is low, add distilled water in the morn- ing before beginning work.
Do not add the water after the day's work so as to prevent fluid in the battery from freezing in the night. 3-106 WA150-5H – VEAM934100 WARNING WARNING Charging Rate(%) Temperature (°C) 20 0 -10 -20 100 1.28 1.29 1.30 1.31 90 1.26 1.27 1.28 1.29 80 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27 75 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26