1995-2004 Kawasaki Lakota 300, Lakota Sport, KEF300 Service Manual, Page 216Get this manual
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14-7 Battery
Following few simple rules will greatly extend the life of the batteryOWhen the level of the electrolyte in the battery is low, add only distilled water to each cell, until the level is at the upper level line marked on the outside of the batteryOrdinary tap water is not substitute for distilled water and will shorten the life of the batteryo Never add sulphuric acid solution to the batteryThis will make the electrolyte solution too strong and will ruin the battery within very short timeoAvoid quick-charging the batteryA quick-charge will damage the battery plateso Never let good battery stand for more than 30 days without giving it supplemental charge, and never let discharged battery stand without charging itIf battery stand for any length of time, it slowly self-dischargesOnce it is discharged, the plates sulphate (turn white), and the battery will no longer take chargeo Keep the battery well-charged during cold weather so that the electrolyte does not freeze and crack open the batteryThe more discharged the battery becomes, the more easily it freezesOAlways keep the battery vent hose free of obstruction, and make sure it does not get pinched, crimped, or melted shut by contact with the hot mufflerIf battery gases cannot escape through this hose, they will explode the batteryo DON'T INSTALL THE BATTERY BACKWARDSThe negative side is grounded