7-7
Mount the battery on a rigid support structure,
where leaks and accidental spills cannot damage
the genset, fuel lines, and wiring.
WARNING
Batteries present the hazard of
explosion, which can result in severe personal
injury. Because batteries give off explosive gas,
install the battery in a separate compartment
from the genset and away from all flames, pilot
light, arcing, or spark-producing devices.
Battery Cables
Because of the high cranking currents involved, it is
highly recommended that a negative (-) battery
cable be run with the positive (+) battery cable be-
tween the battery and the genset. Size the cables
according to Table 7-2. Total cable length is the sum
of the lengths of the positive (+) and negative (-)
cables. In other words, total cable length will be
approximately twice the distance between the bat-
tery and the genset.
Alternatively, use rated cranking current as the ba-
sis for calculating battery cable size. Rated crank-
ing current for these gensets is 180 amperes at 0F
(-18 C). The cables should be sized so that voltage
across the cranking motor terminals will be within 1
volt of the voltage across the battery terminals.
TABLE 7-2. CABLES FOR COLD WEATHER
STARTING TO -20°F (-29°C)
*CABLE LENGTH CABLE
IN FEET (METERS) SIZE
0-10 (0-3) 2
11-15 (3-4.5) 0
16-20 (4.5-6) 000**
* Total battery cable length including both posi-
tive (+) and negative (-) cables.
** #2 cable is acceptable up to 20 feet (6.1 m) if
the battery capacity exceeds 1000 CCA.
Negative (-) Battery Connection.
Connect one
end of the negative (-) battery cable to the genset
ground. Tighten the ground connection securely
(see Figure 7-8). (Do not connect the other end to
the battery at this time.)
Alternate Negative (-) Battery Connection.
In
cases where the distance from the battery to the
genset is quite long, the vehicle frame (ground) can
be used for the return cranking current:
1. Connect one end of a short, negative (-) bat-
tery cable (of the same size as the positive (+)
battery cable) to the vehicle frame near the bat-
tery. (Do not connect the other end to the bat-
tery at this time.)
2. Connect one end of a short, negative (-) bat-
tery cable (of the same size as the positive (+)
battery cable) to the vehicle frame near the
genset. Connect the other end to the genset
ground. See Figure 7-8.
NOTE: Make sure that the frame (ground) con-
nections (to major frame members, if possible)
are secure enough to minimize electrical
resistance. Avoid making these connections at
welds or mechanical joints.
NEGATIVE (-) BATTERY
CONNECTION
(GENSET GROUND)
POSITIVE (+) BATTERY
CONNECTION
FIGURE 7-8. BATTERY CABLE CONNECTIONS
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