Battery Charger Owner's Manual

BATTERY CHARGER OWNER’S MANUAL

Congratulations on purchasing the finest new charger on the market today. We wish to acknowledge UL for their contribution of the following important safety precautions. Please read and retain these instructions for the continued safe use of your new charger. IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS – READ THESE FIRST

¥ SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS — ¥ Do not disassemble charger; take it This manual contains important to a qualified service center when safety and operating instructions for service or repair is required. the automatic battery charger. Incorrect reassembly may result in a ¥ Do not expose charger to rain risk of fire, electric shock, or injury or snow. to persons. ¥ Do not use and an attachment not ¥ To reduce risk of electric shock, recommended or sold by Griot's unplug the charger from outlet Garage. Doing so may result in a before attempting any maintenance risk of fire, electric shock, or injury or cleaning. Turning off controls will to persons. not reduce this risk. ¥To reduce risk of damage to electric ¥ Monitor battery charger daily when plug and cord, pull plug rather than using it to maintain battery for cord when disconnecting charger. extended periods. ¥ Do not use an extension cord unless absolutely necessary. Use WARNING — RISK OF of an improper extension cord could EXPLOSIVE GASES. result in a risk of fire and electric a)Working in vicinity of a lead-acid shock. If extension cord must be battery is dangerous. Batteries used, make sure: generate explosive gases during a)That pins on plug of extension normal battery operation. For this cord are the same number, size, reason, it is of utmost importance and shape as those of plug that each time before using your on charger, charger, you read this manual b)That extension cord is properly and follow the instructions exactly. wired and in good electrical b)To reduce risk of battery condition; and explosion, follow these c) That the wire size is large enough instructions and those published for the length of cord as by the battery manufacturer and specified below. the manufacturer of any equipment you intend to use in Length of cord in feet: 25 50 100 150 vicinity of the battery. Review cautionary markings on these AWG size of cord: 18 18 16 14 products and in the engine compartment. ¥ Do not operate charger with damaged cord or plug. Replace the cord or plug immediately. 1 842-391-001 PERSONAL PRECAUTIONS

¥ Someone should be within range of generated when vinyl clothing is your voice or close enough to come rubbed. Do not drop tools or other to your aid when you work near a metal objects on or near the battery lead-acid battery. as a spark may result, igniting ¥ Have plenty of fresh water and soap explosive gases. nearby in case battery acid contacts ¥ Remove personal metal items such skin, clothing, or eyes. as rings, bracelets, necklaces, and ¥ Wear complete eye protection and watches when working with a lead- clothing protection. Avoid touching acid battery. A lead-acid battery can eyes while working near battery. produce a short-circuit current high enough to weld a ring or other ¥ If battery acid contacts skin or jewelry to metal, causing a clothing, wash immediately with severe burn. soap and water. If acid enters eye, immediately flood eye with running ¥ Use charger for charging LEAD- cold water for at least 10 minutes ACID battery only. It is not intended and get medical attention to supply power to a low voltage immediately. electrical system other than in a starter-motor application. Do not ¥ All lead-acid batteries produce use battery charger for charging hydrogen gas which may violently dry-cell batteries that are commonly explode in the presence of fire or used with home appliances. These sparks. Do not smoke, use matches batteries may burst and cause injury or a cigarette lighter while near to persons and damage to property. batteries. Do not handle the battery while wearing vinyl clothing ¥ NEVER charge a frozen battery. because, static electricity sparks are

PREPARING TO CHARGE BATTERY

1. If necessary to remove battery from 4. Add distilled water in each cell until vehicle to charge, always remove battery acid reaches level specified grounded terminal from battery first. by battery manufacturer. This helps Make sure all accessories in the purge excessive gas from cells. Do vehicle are off, so removal will not not overfill. For a battery without cell cause an arc. caps, carefully follow manufacturer’s 2. Be sure area around battery is well recharging instructions. ventilated while battery is being 5. Study all battery manufacturer’s charged. Gas can be forcefully specific precautions such as blown away by using a piece of removing or not removing cell caps cardboard or other nonmetallic while charging and recommended material as a fan. rates of charge. 3. Clean battery terminals with a 6. Determine voltage of battery by mixture of baking soda and hot referring to car owner’s manual water. Be careful to keep corrosion and make sure that output voltage from coming in contact with eyes. selector switch is set at correct voltage.

2 LOCATING THE CHARGER

1. Locate the charger as far away 4. Do not operate the charger in a from the battery as DC closed area or restrict ventilation in cables permit. any way. 2. Never place the charger directly 5. Do not set a battery on top of above the battery being charged; the charger. gases from the battery will corrode 6. Locate the charger at least 18" and damage the charger. above the floor. 3. Never allow battery acid to drip on 7. Do not place the charger where the charger when reading specific rain, snow, or other moisture could gravity or filling the battery. drip on it.

GROUNDING & AC POWER CORD CONNECTION INSTRUCTIONS

Charger should be grounded to reduce risk of electric shock. Charger WARNING — RISK OF is equipped with an electric cord ELECTRIC SHOCK. having an equipment grounding Never alter AC cord or plug provided conductor and grounding plug. The Ð if it will not fit outlet, have proper plug must be plugged into an outlet outlet installed by a qualified that is properly installed and grounded electrician. Improper connection can in accordance with all local codes result in a risk of an electric shock. and ordinances.

BATTERY CHARGER CONNECTION PRECAUTIONS

1. CAUTION: Connect and To reduce explosion risk, never disconnect DC output clips only connect both clips directly to the after setting any switches with an battery. When making each OFF position to off and removing connection, twist or rock clip back AC power cord from electric and forth several times to make a outlet. Never allow clips to touch good connection and to reduce the each other. risk of a clip slipping off and creating a 2. When hooking up charger, attach spark. Do not twist or rock clip on the one clip to battery and the other to battery after the second clip a point away from battery (see the connection is made. following sections CHARGING A BATTERY THAT IS INSTALLED IN A VEHICLE or CHARGING A BATTERY OUTSIDE A VEHICLE). Do not hook up charger until reading this entire manual. 3 CHARGING A BATTERY THAT IS INSTALLED IN A VEHICLE

CAUTION: A marine (boat) battery 5b. For POSITIVE GROUNDED must be removed and charged on vehicle, connect the NEGATIVE shore. To charge it on board (Black) clip from the battery charger requires equipment specially to the NEGATIVE (NEG, N, Ð) designed for marine use. ungrounded post of the battery. 6. Connect the remaining battery charger clip to the vehicle chassis WARNING — RISK OF or engine block, as far away from EXPLOSIVE GASES. the battery as possible. Do not A spark near battery may cause the connect the clip to carburetor, fuel battery to explode. To reduce risk of a lines, or sheet metal body parts. spark near battery: Connect to a heavy gauge metal part of the frame or engine block. ¥ Do not drop tools or other metal 7. When disconnecting charger, turn objects on or near the battery. all switches with an OFF position to ¥ Do not smoke, use matches or a off, disconnect AC cord, remove clip cigarette lighter while near battery. from vehicle chassis, and then remove clip from battery terminal. ¥ Do not handle the battery while wearing vinyl clothing, as static 8. Refer to the Operating Instructions electricity sparks are generated for information on setting selector when vinyl clothing is rubbed. switches. Be sure to refer to the instructions for your model 1. Position all cords in a manner that of charger. will reduce the risk of damage by the automobile's hood, door, or moving engine part. 2. Stay clear of fan blades, belts, pulleys, and other parts that can cause injury to persons. 3. Check polarity of battery posts. POSITIVE (POS, P, +) battery post usually has larger diameter than NEGATIVE (NEG, N, Ð) post. 4. Determine which post of battery is grounded (connected) to the chassis. If the negative post is grounded to the chassis (as in most vehicles), see Figure 1 and instruction 5a. If the positive post is grounded to the chassis, see Figure 2 and instruction 5b. 5a. For NEGATIVE GROUNDED vehicle, connect POSITIVE (Red) clip from the battery charger to the POSITIVE (POS, P,+) ungrounded post of the battery. 4 CHARGING A BATTERY OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE

This cable must be a minimum of WARNING — RISK OF 24” long, and of a wire gauge that is EXPLOSIVE GASES. no lighter than the wire gauge of the charger’s output cables (battery A spark near battery may cause cables and booster cables battery explosion. To reduce risk of a work well). spark near battery: 3. Connect POSITIVE (RED) charger ¥ Do not drop tools or other metal clip to POSITIVE (POS, P, +) post objects on or near the battery. of battery. ¥ Do not smoke, use matches or a 4. Position yourself and the free end cigarette lighter while near battery. of the cable (installed in step #2) as ¥ Do not handle the battery while FAR away from the battery as wearing vinyl clothing, as static possible. FACING AWAY FROM electricity sparks are generated THE BATTERY, connect the when vinyl clothing is rubbed. NEGATIVE (Black) charger clip to the free end of the cable. 1. Check polarity of battery posts. 5. When disconnecting charger, POSITIVE (POS, P,+) battery post always do so in reverse sequence usually has a larger diameter than of the connecting procedure and NEGATIVE (NEG, N,Ð) post. break first connection while as far 2. Attach a cable (not provided) to away from battery as practical. the NEGATIVE (NEG, N, Ð) battery post.

Figure 3

ENGINE STARTING

CAUTION: Battery must be installed 4. If engine fails to start, charge battery in vehicle to use the engine starting for another 10 to 20 minutes and feature. attempt to start the 1. Connect the battery charger to the engine again. vehicle as indicated in the preceding Note: This charger is equipped with an section CHARGING A BATTERY automatic reset circuit breaker to THAT IS INSTALLED IN A VEHICLE. protect the battery charger from 2. Follow OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS overload conditions. This circuit for setting the output switches. breaker will trip if you crank the engine too long at one time. If Note: Performance will be enhanced if this happens, wait six to seven you charge the battery for 10 to minutes. The breaker will reset 20 minutes before attempting automatically and engine starting to start. or battery charging 3. Start the vehicle. Crank engine for can resume. around 3 to 4 seconds. 5 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

This charger is equipped with Select the CHARGE position to Automatic On-Off Technology. After charge the battery. This is the connecting to a 12 volt battery, the automatic mode for 12 volt batteries. charger needs to sense a minimum Select the START position if you are voltage condition to begin charging attempting to start a car with a weak and it will stop charging when it battery or to preactivate a reaches the maximum voltage discharged battery. condition, but it will continue to monitor the battery charge level. Step 4: Select Setting The charger will "hum" as it monitors. (Switch 3) If the battery charge level drops, the charger will begin charging again. Note: If the charger does not sense a minimum voltage condition because of a deeply discharged battery, then preactivation of the battery is Select the 100 AMP START position if required (see the following you are attempting to start a car with paragraph PREACTIVATION a weak battery (12V only). Plug the OF A DISCHARGED AC power cord into the wall outlet. BATTERY). The meter will read zero or near zero. Note: For best results, charge the Step 1: Make Connections battery first for 10 to 20 minutes using the 15 A, 12 V Make sure AC power cord is position before attempting to unplugged from wall outlet. Make start the vehicle in the 100 proper connections to the battery as AMP START position. explained on pages 4Ð5. Engage the starter for 3 to 4 seconds; Step 2: Select Battery if engine fails to start, charge the (Switch 1) battery using the 15 A, 12 V position for another 10 to 20 minutes and attempt to start the engine again. Be aware that a typical starter on a vehicle may need 250 to 500 amps to start the engine. Select the NORMAL/ AUTOMOTIVE Select the 15 A ,12 V AUTO position if position to charge automotive you are charging large lead acid batteries and deep cycle batteries that batteries, such as those used in are older than two years. automobiles, boats, trucks, vans, farm Select DEEP CYCLE for marine equipment, etc. Plug the AC power batteries that are less than two cord into the wall outlet. The meter will years old. read up to 15 amps and taper down to 6 or 7 as the battery reaches full Step 3: Select Function charge. When the battery is fully (Switch 2) charged the charge complete light will come on, the meter will drop to 0 amps, and the charger will automatically stop charging. 6 For charging lawn tractor, motorcycle, Preactivation of a snowmobile, or other small batteries, Discharged Battery select the 2 A, 12 V AUTO position. Connect the charger to the battery as Preactivation will raise the voltage in a indicated in the preceding sections 12 volt battery to a level high enough CHARGING A BATTERY THAT IS to allow the charger to operate in the INSTALLED IN A VEHICLE or automatic mode. This step is required CHARGING A BATTERY OUTSIDE A if you have been attempting to charge VEHICLE. Plug the charger's AC a low or dead battery and the battery power cord into the wall outlet. The has not been accepting any charge. meter will read up to 5 amps and taper down to around 1 amp as the ¥ Select the START position on the battery reaches full charge. Using this SELECT FUNCTION switch. setting for large automotive, truck, or ¥ Select the highest charging position marine batteries will not allow the on the SELECT SETTING switch. charger to shut off automatically. (Not the Start setting.) For charging 6 volt batteries used in ¥ Charge the 12 volt battery for 5 to automobiles, trucks, and farm 15 minutes. equipment, select the 15 A, 6 V ¥ Select the CHARGE position on the position. Connect the charger to the SELECT FUNCTION switch. battery as indicated in the preceding The battery should now accept the sections CHARGING A BATTERY charge and the amperage meter THAT IS INSTALLED IN A VEHICLE should indicate 6 to 15 amps. If not, or CHARGING A BATTERY OUTSIDE the battery should be professionally A VEHICLE. Plug the charger's AC tested. If battery is okay, call Griot's power cord into the wall outlet. This Garage at (800) 345-5789. setting does not taper and does not shut off automatically. Note: Do not use this battery charger to charge batteries larger than those typically found in boats, passenger cars, or light trucks. READING THE METER

The ammeter built into this charger The 6 volt setting is a constant current indicates the amperage that the battery setting and the needle will not move is drawing from the charger. The meter from right to left. may read up to 15 amps if the battery is discharged and the charger is set on the The BATTERY area in red at the top of 12 volt, 15 amp setting. As the battery the meter should not be used as a charges, the meter will taper back to precise measurement of the battery’s around 7 amps. This charger, equipped percent of charge. There are differences with Automatic On-Off Technology, will from battery to battery that prevent it drop to zero amps and the CHARGE from accurately representing the actual COMPLETE light will come on when the percent of charge. battery is fully charged. On the 12 volt, 2 The charger will show 100% when amp setting the meter may read up to 5 fully charged. amps for a discharged battery and taper down to about 1 amp as it charges.

7 TIME TO CHARGE

On the 6 volt setting, this is a manual 2. Determine the size of the battery in battery charger, and needs to be AMP HOURS or RESERVE disconnected from a battery when the CAPACITY. If these ratings are not battery is fully charged. If this is not printed on the battery, contact your done, the battery will overcharge, local battery dealer for this resulting in possible battery damage. information. These are the only ratings that can be used to A large automotive battery (65 amp determine length of charging time. hours or 100 minutes of reserve Then use the formula in step 3 for capacity) that is completely the charging rate capabilities of discharged (lights will not come on at your charger. all) should never take longer than 8 hours to charge on the 12 volt, 15 3. Use the battery rating, the charge amp setting. Batteries with a partial level of the battery, and the amp charge will take even less time to setting to be used on the charger, in charge. If the meter shows that the the formula provided below. battery is drawing amperage (from 7 Amp Hour Percent to 15 amps) and after charging for up Rating of X of Charge Hours to eight hours, the battery still isn’t Battery NEEDED X 1.25 = to Charge fully charged, have the battery Amp Setting Selected professionally tested or replaced. If On Charger the meter shows zero amps and the EXAMPLE: battery is still discharged, then Battery's Present State of Charge: 25% Percent of Charge NEEDED: 100% Ð 25% = 75% preactivation of the battery may be Expressed as a Decimal: = .75 required (see the paragraph entitled Amp setting on Charger: 10 "Preactivation of a Discharged Amp-Hour Rating of Battery: 60 60 X .75 Battery" in the OPERATING X 1.25 = Hours to Reach Full Charge INSTRUCTIONS section). 10 45 X 1.25 = Hours to Reach Full Charge The following instructions will allow 10 you to determine how long it will take 4.5 X 1.25 = 5.625 Hours to Reach Full Charge (5 Hours, 38 Min.) to bring a specific battery to full charge. If the charger is so equipped, a green light on the charger will Note: If the battery is rated in indicate the battery has become RESERVE CAPACITY, use the fully charged. following formula to convert reserve capacity to amp-hours. CAUTION: Batteries that have 25% Reserve Capacity charge or less can easily freeze and + 15.5 = Amp-Hour Rating should be charged at once, but DO 2 NOT CHARGE A BATTERY THAT IS ALREADY FROZEN. 1. Determine the present level of charge in the battery with a hydrometer or electronic percent-of- charge tester.

8 TROUBLESHOOTING

1. NO AMMETER READING and NO battery professionally tested. If INDICATOR LIGHTS (Charging the battery is defective, replace has not yet started) battery. If battery is OK, call ¥ Make sure charger is plugged into Griot's Garage at (800)345-5789. a LIVE AC outlet. ¥ If meter reading is between 1 and ¥ After unplugging unit, check 5 amps on the 15 amp setting, connections at battery. Make sure have the battery professionally the battery posts are clean and tested or replaced. the clamps are making good 3. NO AMMETER READING, contact with the battery terminal REVERSE HOOK-UP INDICATOR and other point of connection. IS ON ¥ Check to see that battery is ¥ The charger’s output cables are capable of being charged. It may reversed at the battery and other be damaged, sulfated, or have an point of connection. Unplug open circuit. charger, correct the hook-up, ¥ Make sure you have selected the then plug charger in and proper charge voltage for the resume charging. battery being charged. 4. NO AMMETER READING, BUT ¥ Battery may need preactivation CHARGE COMPLETE INDICATOR (see the paragraph entitled IS LIT "Preactivation of a Discharged ¥ Battery is fully charged. Charger Battery" in the OPERATING may be disconnected at any time. INSTRUCTIONS section). 5. CHARGE COMPLETE INDICATOR ¥ Verify that the vehicle’s battery IS ON, BUT BATTERY EYE DOES cables are in good condition and NOT INDICATE FULL CHARGE properly connected to the battery, ¥ When the CHARGE COMPLETE especially the ground terminal. indicator comes on, the battery IS ¥ The battery may already be fully charged. However, due to fully charged. electrolyte stratification, the 2. LOW AMMETER READING and hydrometer eye in the battery NO INDICATOR LIGHTS (Charging may not immediately indicate full has been in process) charge. To get the eye to register full charge, set the SELECT ¥ Battery is nearing full charge, FUNCTION switch to START and green light will eventually turn on. charge for one more hour on the ¥ The 2 amp setting has been 15 amp setting. selected for charging a larger 12 6. VEHICLE WILL NOT START volt battery. Full charge may WHEN USING THE ENGINE never be reached to allow the START SETTING CHARGE COMPLETE light to turn on. Switch to 12 volt, ¥ After unplugging unit, check 15 amp setting. connections. Make sure the clamps are making good contact ¥ If green CHARGE COMPLETE with the battery terminal and indicator does not come on within other point of connection. 8 hours of charging on the 12 volt, 15 amp setting, have the

9 ¥ If ammeter reads zero, the ¥ If after several attempts, the internal circuit breaker may have engine still won’t start, there may tripped. Wait six to seven be a problem with the engine that minutes. The circuit breaker will will need to be corrected before it reset automatically and the can be started or the battery may ammeter needle will again not be capable of accepting a register amperage. Charge charge and will need to battery for another 10 to 20 be replaced. minutes and attempt to start the ¥ Verify that the vehicle’s battery engine again. cables are in good condition and properly connected to the battery.

CHARGER CARE & MAINTENANCE

CAUTION Ð Make sure charger is ¥ Once a year, apply some grease to unplugged from electrical outlet the exposed wires on the ends of before performing any the cables where the clamp is maintenance. connected to prevent corrosion. A minimum amount of care can keep ¥ If needed, the case may be wiped your battery charger working and clean with a soft cloth. looking good for years. There are no user-serviceable ¥ Clean the clamps after each use. parts inside. Wipe off any battery fluid that may For information concerning use, have come in contact with the applications, or service, call Griot's clamps to prevent corrosion. Battery Garage at (800)345-5789. fluid may be neutralized with a solution of water and baking soda.