Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Charging Procedures

When it is necessary to charge battery, following safety precautions must be taken.
1. DO NOT CHARGE battery if indicator is red with clear dot-or-clear or light yellow. Replace battery.
2. Disconnect negative (-) cable from battery.
3. If battery feels hot 52 °C (125 °F), or if violent gassing or spewing of electrolyte through vent holes occur, discontinue charging or reduce charging rate. Charge battery until indicator turns blue with red dot -or- green dot. Tipping or shaking battery may be necessary to make indicator turn blue.

Temperature of battery itself will affect charging rate, and most charging equipment will not charge at a constant rate. For example, if charging starts as 30 amperes and drops off to 10 amperes after 1 hour, average current for that hour is 20 amperes and actual boost charge is 20 ampere-hours. Battery can be fast charged or slow charged with ordinary charges. Either method will restore battery to full charge.