Toro Groundsmaster 360 Service Manual page 348

Inspecting, Maintaining, and Testing the Battery (continued)
Electrical System: Service and Repairs
A. Use a hydrometer to measure the specific gravity of each cell. Pull the
electrolyte in and out of the hydrometer barrel before taking a reading
to warm-up the hydrometer. At the same time, take the temperature of
the cell.
B. Temperature correct each cell reading. For each 5.5°C (10°F) above
27°C (80°F) add 0.004 to the specific gravity reading. For each 5.5°C
(10°F) below 27°C (80°F) subtract 0.004 from the specific gravity reading;
refer to the Cell Specific Gravity Example (page
Cell Specific Gravity Example
Cell Temperature
Cell Specific Gravity
38°C minus 27°C equals 11°C
(100°F minus 80°F equals 20°F)
11°C multiply by 0.004/5.5°C equals 0.008
(20°F multiply by 0.004/10°F equals 0.008)
ADD (conversion above)
Correction to 27°C (80°F)
C. If the difference between the highest and lowest cell specific gravity is
0.050 or more or the lowest cell specific gravity is less than 1.225, charge
the battery.
D. Charge at the rate and time given in
or until all cells specific gravity is 1.225 or greater with the difference in
specific gravity between the highest and lowest cell is less than 0.050. If
you can not meet these charging conditions, replace the battery.
3. Do a high-discharge test with an adjustable load tester. This is 1 of the most
reliable means of testing a battery as it simulates the cold-cranking test. A
commercial battery load tester is required to do this test.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions when using a battery load
tester.
A. Check the voltage across the battery terminals before testing the battery.
If the voltage is less than 12.4 VDC, charge the battery before continuing
the test.
B. Ensure that the battery terminals are free of corrosion.
C. Measure the electrolyte temperature of the center battery cell.
D. Connect a battery load tester to the battery terminals following the
manufacturer's instructions. Connect a digital multimeter to the battery
terminals
E. If you charge the battery, apply a 150 A load for 15 seconds to remove
the surface charge. Wait for 10 minutes before proceeding with load test.
F. Apply a test load of 270 A (1/2 the cranking performance rating of the
battery) for 15 seconds.
G. After test load has been applied for 15 seconds, take a test voltage
reading and then remove the load. Record the test voltage reading.
100°F
1.245
0.008
1.253
Charging the Battery (page 5–113)
CAUTION
Page 5–112
5–112).
Groundsmaster 360
16225SL Rev C