Jump Starting

If unit battery is discharged or run down, unit may be jump started using jumper cables and another battery or vehicle. Consider the following precautions and be careful when jump starting a unit.

    Warning
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Required
  • A battery can be dangerous. A battery contains a flammable gas that can ignite or explode. A battery stores enough electricity to burn you if it discharges quickly. A battery contains battery acid that can burn you. Always wear goggles or safety glasses and personal protective equipment when working with a battery. If you get battery acid on you, immediately flush it with water and get medical attention.
    Caution
  • Hazard of Explosion
  • Unhook the semi tractor from the trailer before using the tractor to jump start the unit on the trailer. The negative ground circuit is complete when the tractor is hooked to the trailer. This can cause dangerous sparks when the positive connection is made at the battery.
Important Make sure to use a 12 volt battery to jump start unit. If you are using a vehicle, make sure it has a 12 volt battery with a negative ground system. Do not use a “hot shot” booster device or a 24 volt source.

Read and understand the following procedure completely before connecting and jumper cables. Use good jumper cables made with #2 gauge (or larger) cables.

  1. Verify unit is turned off. If you are using a vehicle, verify its ignition is also turned off.

  2. Open front doors on unit. Battery is located to the left of engine.

  3. Check discharged battery to verify it is not damaged or frozen. Do not jump start a damaged or frozen battery. Check vent caps to verify they are tight.

  4. Identify positive (+) and negative (–) battery terminals.

  5. Remove red cover from positive (+) battery terminal on the unit’s battery.

    Sequence for Connecting Jumper Cables

    1. Positive (+) Terminal on Unit Battery
    2. Positive (+) Terminal on Good Battery
    3. Negative (–)Terminal on Good Battery
    4. Starter Mounting Bolt on Unit Engine
  6. Connect the red positive (+) jumper cable to the positive (+) battery terminal on the unit’s battery. Do not let the other end of the jumper cable touch anything that conducts electricity.

      Warning
    • Hazard of Explosion
    • Allowing the positive (+) jumper cable to short to ground can produce dangerous sparks.

  1. Connect the other end of the red positive (+) jumper cable to the positive (+) battery terminal on the good battery.

  2. Connect the black negative (–) jumper cable to the negative (–) battery terminal on a good battery. Do not let the other end of the jumper cable touch anything that conducts electricity.

      Warning
    • Hazardous Voltage
    • DO NOT connect to the positive connection on the starter motor, which is located on the top right of the starter motor.

  3. Connect the black negative (–) jumper cable to the lower starter mounting bolt on the unit’s engine.

  4. If you are using a vehicle to jump start the unit, start the vehicle and let it run for a few minutes. This will help charge the discharged battery.

    • Danger
    • Risk of Injury
    • Keep your hands, clothing, and tools clear of fans and/or belts when working on a unit that is running or when opening or closing compressor service valves. Loose clothing might entangle moving pulleys or belts, causing serious injury or possible death.
  5. Turn the unit on and let it start automatically or start it manually. If the unit will not crank or start, contact a qualified technician.

    Note Some units with microprocessors will show an alarm code and will not try to start the unit until battery voltage is above 10 volts.

  1. After the unit starts, remove the jumper cables in reverse order: black negative (–) from the unit starter mounting bolt, black negative (–) from the good battery, red positive (+) from the good battery, and red positive (+) from the unit battery (that was discharged).

    Sequence for Disconnecting Jumper Cables

    1. Starter Mounting Bolt on Unit Engine
    2. Negative (–)Terminal on Good Battery
    3. Positive (+) Terminal on Good Battery
    4. Positive (+) Terminal on Unit Battery