removing the battery

Would someone be kind enough to give me "step by step" directions on how to remove the battery in my 2010 "cat"?

It's stored for the winter and close enough for me to get the battery, bring it home, and put it on a charger. But, I've never taken a battery out of a car or anything....needless to say, I'm a bit "scared"

As always, I can't thank everyone enough for all the tips I've received so far. My Sis & I have the truck and have mastered hooking it up and towing (we're still learning how to back up

But at least we can see other areas of the country now!

Open the front compartment, take the cover off the battery, take a long hard look at the wires going to the battery (better yet take a photo) so you can put them back the same way, lift the battery out (it may be pretty heavy, get help if you need it), take it home and put on the charger about once a month. Do not store directly on concrete. Reverse in the spring.

Remove negative first than positive. When installing, install positive first negative last. Don't short between posts with tools.

Unplug trailer before starting.

Modern batteries can be stored on concrete with no issues to the battery.


Earl

You may want to get a lift strap that just slips over the battery posts and locks on when you pick it up. It sure helps keeping the battery off your clothes and makes it easy to lift out and and put back in.

As Earl said, negative first, then positive. Negative = Black and Positive = Red.

Get a good battery maintainer and don't hook to just a charger to keep your battery in good condition.

Mopar_Earl wrote:Remove negative first than positive. When installing, install positive first negative last. Don't short between posts with tools.

Unplug trailer before starting.

Modern batteries can be stored on concrete with no issues to the battery.


Earl

x2

Be careful when lifting so you don't hurt your lower back.

As said before, do not put your battery or batteries on a charger unless they have a very low charge. Buy a good battery maintainer, like the below and leave them on it.


http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&cp=26&gs_id=5r&xhr=t&q=deltran+battery+tender+plus&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1024&bih=605&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=5906032646574756653&sa=X&ei=G53XTsXgF6OJiAK7wtiyCg&sqi=2&ved=0CKcBEPMCMAc

I also like to put some tape over the positive connector incase I plug the trailer in forgetting about the battery being removed. This would prevent a short and posible damag to the converter.. Happy camping!

thanks again to all! I don't know what I would do without all the prompt replies!

Your assistance helps me realize that, as a woman, I can do it with a "little help from friends like you".

Maxtor, the tender you linked talks about "Gel" cell batteries. I am unfamiliar with the term and wondered how they differ from standard batteries. Will this tender work with old style batteries?

Battery Tender 021-0156 Battery Tender Plus 12V Battery Charger True Gel Cell Model : The BatteryTender Plus 12V Battery Charger True Gel Cell Model is the most advanced charger/maintainer on the market especially designed for today's GEL acid batteries. The BT Plus uses micro-processor technology in a four stage charging profile to charge, improve, and float your battery so it is ready when your are. Constant current charging and regulated voltage patterns allow the battery to be recharged fully and safely without the fear of overcharging. GEL Batteries need a lower voltage recharge and the Deltran BatteryTender does this for your automatically

They work well for all types of 12 volt auto/rv rechargeable batteries. The gel battery is one that does not have to have water/acid maintained in the battery, because it is a sealed unit. A sealed unit requires a slower more constant charge. The tender works just as well with lead acid batteries, which are your standard battery that needs water/acid replenished from time to time.
Since the tender plus charges at a constant slower rate, you do not have to worry about a overcharge situation.
Standard chargers and cheap tricklers can overcharge a battery and boil out the water.


http://batterytender.com/automotive/battery-tender-plus-12v-at-1-25a.html?gclid=CJLljpDb46wCFQSFhwod7lJRmw

I have seen this battery tender on Motor Week. They recomended this unit and I bought mine from Camping world. So far I have used it on both the acid battery and the gel. Works great.