ELECTRICAL
MOTOR TRUCK SERVICE MANUAL
Installation of Battery
Only a fully charged battery can deliver the published
and guaranteed performance which is the basis of the
sale. The best assurance against trouble and costly
service is to make certain that batteries sold to
customers are fully charged when installed.
Each battery must be coded indicating the month
and year it was installed.
The battery should rest level in the cradle and be
fastened securely in place by suitable hold-downs, using
care to tighten evenly from each end a little at a time so
as not to distort or break the container. Do not draw the
Fig. 17 Spreading Cable Clamp with Terminal Spreader
hold-downs too tight.
Apply a thin film of chassis lube to inside of clamp
Installation of Cables
terminals and over bolt stud before reconnecting
terminal. Connect ground terminal last. Tighten the
Cables must be of sufficient length to reach terminal
terminal bolts, being careful to position the clamp
posts without causing undue strain on cover or terminals.
terminals and cables so as not to interfere with the filler
Note that tapered positive terminal of the battery is 1/16
caps or rub on the hold-down parts.
inch larger at the top than the negative terminal and the
opening of the positive cable clamp is correspondingly
Before cranking the engine, turn on the lights and
larger to fit it. Always clean the battery terminal parts
make certain the ammeter indicator shows discharge.
and the inside of the clamps bright with sandpaper or
This will indicate correct battery installation.
special terminal cleaner, Fig. 16. Cleaning the clamp
Considerable damage to the electrical system can result
terminals and tapered posts each time they are
if a battery is installed incorrectly.
reconnected is very important in voltage-regulated
systems.
When making replacement of original battery cables,
starting motor cables or other wires utilizing protective
loom or grommets, it is essential that the service cable
be equipped with the same type loom or grommet
protection as was removed on the replaced cable or
wire. Cables that are replaced without proper loom
protection create a fire hazard. The wiring circuits on
new vehicles are closely checked and approved by
Underwriter Companies; therefore, the original circuits
should be maintained both as to location and protective
devices.
The loom or grommet is placed on cables for
safeguarding against chafing or cutting through the
insulation at points where cables contact chassis.
Fig. 16 Combination of Brushes for Cleaning Terminals
When replacing cables on customers' trucks or when
and Cable Clamps
making sales of cables, make certain that a protective
loom or proper grommets are provided where required.
Care should be taken when installing a cable
terminal. It should never be hammered into place. To
The storage battery can deliver only what the battery
do so may crack battery cover seal. Also some metal
cables are able to carry to the electrical system. The
may be sheared from post, making it too small for good
battery cannot operate efficiently if it has to overcome the
contact when the next replacement is necessary. The
best practice is to pry jaws of terminal apart or use a
clamp spreader, Fig. 17, before slipping it over the post.
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