2003 Polaris Universal ATV Owners Manual - Page 137

Battery MAINTENANCE AND LUBRICATION Battery Installation 1. Set the battery in the battery holder. 2. With conventional batteries, install the battery vent tube. Sealed batteries do not have a vent tube. NOTE: The vent tube must be free of obstructions and securely installed. If not, battery gases could accumulate and cause an explosion. The tube should be routed away from the frame and body to prevent corrosion. Avoid skin contact with electrolyte, which can cause severe burns. 3. First connect and tighten the red (positive) cable. 4. Second connect and tighten the black (negative) cable. 5. Reinstall the battery cover and attach the hold-down strap. 6. Verify that cables are properly routed. NOTE: When installing a new battery, make sure it's fully charged prior to its initial use. Using a new battery that has not been fully charged can damage the battery and result in a shorter life. It can also hinder vehicle performance. Battery Storage When the vehicle is placed in storage for three months or more, the battery should be removed, stored out of the sun in a cool, dry place and tested monthly. Before reusing, take the battery to your dealer for testing and recharging. Power plug leads may need to be bent down so that the battery cover can be installed. Battery Charging (Sealed Battery) The following battery charging instructions apply only to the installation of a YUASA activated, sealed battery. Read all instructions before proceeding with the installation of this battery. The YUASA activated, sealed battery is already filled with electrolyte and has been sealed and fully charged at the factory. Do not ever pry the sealing strip off or add any other fluid to this battery. The single most important thing to maintaining a sealed battery is to keep it fully charged. Since the battery is sealed and the sealing strip cannot be removed, you must use a voltmeter or multimeter to measure DC voltage. 135