Instructions for your Safety.

Note: These instructions were written for general automotive type battery chargers. They meet the standards of UL and CSA. The first part covers battery, general electrical, and charger safety issues. Below that is a section on hooking up and using a charger. Last a trouble shooting section.

Download owners manual/charger instructions in PDF format, Instructions English.pdf, Instructions French.pdf Specifications.

BATTERY WARNINGS

DANGER! RISK OF BATTERY EXPLOSION FROM HYDROGEN GAS. MAY RESULT IN BLINDNESS, SERIOUS INJURY, PERMANENT DISFIGUREMENT AND SCARRING.

Batteries generate explosive hydrogen gas, even during normal operation. People have been injured by battery parts flying in an explosion. They can explode under normal operating conditions, such as starting your car. They can explode under abnormal conditions, such as jump starting, or if short circuited by a tool. They can explode in a parked car or sitting on a table.

To help reduce the risk of these dangers and injury, it is of the utmost importance that each time before using your charger, you read and understand this manual, and any warnings and instructions by the battery manufacturer. Follow these instructions exactly.

TO HELP REDUCE THIS RISK:

Note: These instructions were written for general automotive type battery chargers. They meet the standards of UL and CSA. The first part covers battery, general electrical, and charger safety issues. Below that is a section on hooking up and using a charger. Last a trouble shooting section.

Wear Personal Protective Equipment

• ALWAYS wear complete eye protection (THAT PROTECTS EYES FROM ALL ANGLES).

Avoid Flames and Sparks Near Battery and Fuel

• ALWAYS keep flames, matches, lighters, cigarettes or other ignition sources away from battery.
• DO NOT put flammable material on or under charger. DO NOT use near gasoline vapors.
• Make sure charger clips make good contact by twisting or rocking them back and forth several times. The second clip connection MUST ALWAYS be made away from the battery. ALWAYS plug charger into an electrical outlet AFTER all connections have been made. See OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS.
• If necessary to remove battery from vehicle to charge, ALWAYS turn off all accessories in the vehicle. Then ALWAYS remove grounded terminal (connected to car frame) from battery first.
• A tool touching both battery posts or battery post and car metal parts is a short circuit and will spark. When using metal tools on or near battery be extra cautious to reduce risk of short circuit, possibly causing a battery explosion. DO NOT drop a tool on battery.

Reduce Explosive Gas (hydrogen)

• Before connecting charger, ALWAYS add water to each cell until battery acid covers plates to help purge extra gas from cells. DO NOT overfill. Battery acid expands during charge. After charging fill to level specified by battery manufacturer. For a battery without removable caps (maintenance free battery), carefully follow manufacturer’s instructions on charging.
• Some sealed maintenance free batteries have a battery condition indicator. A light or bright colored dot indicates low water. Such a battery needs to be replaced, not charged or jump started.
• Charge battery with caps in place. Most U.S. batteries are made with flame arresting caps. DO NOT pry caps off sealed batteries. Place wet cloth on batteries with non-flame arresting caps.
• Be sure area around battery is well ventilated before and during charging process. NEVER charge in a closed-in or restricted area.

Stay Away From Battery When Possible

• NEVER put face near battery.
• ALWAYS locate charger as far from battery as DC cables permit.
• ALWAYS keep other people away from the battery. They are not wearing safety glasses like you are.

Avoid Contact With Battery Acid

• Battery posts may have acid corrosion. DO NOT get corrosion in your eyes. Avoid touching eyes while working near battery.
• ALWAYS use a battery carrier. Carrying a battery by hand may put pressure on its ends, causing acid to be forced out vent caps.
• ALWAYS have plenty of fresh water and soap nearby in case battery acid contacts eyes, skin or clothing. If battery acid contacts skin or clothing, wash immediately with soap and water. If acid enters eye, immediately flood eye with cold running water for at least fifteen (15) minutes and get medical help immediately.
• In very cold weather a discharged battery may freeze. NEVER charge a frozen battery. Gases may form, cracking the case, and spray out battery acid.

Avoid Overcharging Batteries

• The non-automatic (manual) battery charger models can overcharge a battery if left connected for an extended period of time, resulting in loss of water and creation of hydrogen gas.

Follow Other Manufacturers’ Recommendations

• Before using charger, read all instructions for, and caution markings on: (1) charger, (2) battery, and (3) related product using battery. Follow their recommended rate of charge.

ELECTRICAL WARNINGS

DANGER! RISK OF ELECTRICAL AND FIRE HAZARD. MAY RESULT IN DEATH, SERIOUS INJURY, SHOCK OR BURNS.

TO HELP REDUCE THIS RISK:

This charger, like all electrical products, MUST be treated with respect. Follow these instructions to reduce electrical hazard risk.

PROPER GROUNDING AND AC POWER CONNECTION

Charger MUST be grounded to reduce risk of electric shock. Charger is equipped with an electric cord having an equipment grounding conductor and a grounding plug. The plug MUST be plugged into an outlet that is properly installed and GROUNDED in accordance with all local codes and ordinances. If you ever feel even a slight shock from this or any electrical appliance, stop, walk away. Turn off electricity to outlet, and have it inspected by an electrician. You may have a dangerous, improperly wired outlet.

DANGER – NEVER alter AC power cord or plug provided – if it will not fit outlet, have proper outlet installed by a qualified electrician or proceed as shown in the illustration below. Improper connection can result in a risk of an electric shock. This battery charger is for use on a nominal 120 volt circuit (common household current), and has a grounding plug as illustrated. A temporary adapter may be used, USA only, to connect this plug to a two-pole receptacle, as shown, if properly grounded outlet is not available. The temporary adapter should be used only until a properly grounded outlet can be installed by a qualified electrician.

DANGER – Before using adapter as illustrated, be certain that center screw of outlet plate is grounded. The green colored rigid ear or lug extending from adapter MUST be connected to a properly grounded outlet – make certain it is grounded. If necessary, replace original outlet cover plate screw with a longer screw that will secure adapter ear or lug to outlet cover plate and make ground connection to grounded outlet.

Remove Jewelry

ALWAYS remove personal metal items (such as rings, bracelets, necklaces and watches) when working with a battery. A short circuit through one of these items can melt it causing a severe burn.

Avoid Charger Abuse

To reduce risk of electric shock, unplug charger from outlet before attempting any maintenance or cleaning. Turning off controls will not reduce this risk.

DO NOT disassemble charger. Take it to a qualified service person when service or repair is required. Incorrect reassembly may result in a risk of electric shock or fire.
DO NOT expose charger to rain, snow, water, gas, oil, etc.
DO NOT operate charger if it has received a sharp blow, been dropped, or otherwise damaged in any way; take it to a qualified service person.
DO NOT block air holes in top or bottom of charger. DO NOT put charger on vehicle seat. DO NOT set a battery on top of charger.
DO NOT operate charger with clips shorted together. The polarity of the charger and the battery MUST ALWAYS match to avoid
damage to battery and charger. The second clip connection MUST ALWAYS be made away from the battery. (See OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS below.)

Proper Use of Charger and Wiring

An extension cord should not be used unless absolutely necessary. Use of improper extension cord could result in a risk of fire and electric shock. If extension cord must be used, use ONLY a grounded, 3-wire type cord. NEVER use a 2-wire cord and an adaptor! The cord MUST be plugged into a grounded outlet. Make sure it is properly wired, in good electrical condition, and wire size is large enough for AC ampere rating of charger as specified below. AWG = American Wire Gauge

DO NOT modify charger circuitry.

• To reduce risk of damage to plug and cord when disconnecting charger, ALWAYS pull on plug – NEVER on cord.
• Locate cord so that it will not be stepped on, tripped over, or otherwise subject to damage or stress. DO NOT lay extension cord on battery or charger. DO NOT operate charger with damaged cord or plug – replace them immediately.
• Determine battery voltage by referring to vehicle or equipment owner’s manual and make sure it matches DC output voltage shown on charger nameplate.
• This battery charger is designed specifically for charging automotive lead-acid batteries. DO NOT use with dry-cells that are commonly used with home appliances, flashlights, etc. These batteries may burst and cause injury to persons and damage to property.
• This charger is not intended to supply low-voltage power for applications other than battery charging.
• Charging a battery on board a boat floating in water requires a battery charger specially designed to marine charging standards. Move the battery to dry land for charging with this charger.

AUTOMOTIVE WARNINGS

DANGER! RISK OF FLYING PARTS IF USED NEAR MOVING ENGINE PARTS. MAY RESULT IN DEATH, BLINDNESS, SERIOUS INJURY, PERMANENT DISFIGUREMENT AND SCARRING.

TO HELP REDUCE THIS RISK:

• ALWAYS keep charger, DC clips and wires, and AC power cord and plug away from any movable parts of the vehicle including fan belts, fan blade, alternator or generator, etc.
• ALWAYS avoid the radiator cooling fan. On some cars it may start up without the engine running, when you least expect it.
• If your charger does not have an engine starting feature, ALWAYS disconnect the charger before starting the engine . If your charger has engine starting feature, AVOID MOVING ENGINE PARTS when starting engine.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The warnings are important. Remember, our address is on the charger, if you should lose these Safety Instructions send a stamped, self addressed envelope for a new set. The following models are covered by these instructions. The safety and connection part of these instructions apply in general to all battery chargers.

Manual Chargers: (You must unplug them when battery is charged.)
Includes all our models that begin with a single letter: A, B, C, F.

Manual Chargers with Engine Starting Feature:
Includes all our models that begin with the letters: J, L, FC.

Automatic Chargers:
Models with initial letters CR, BR, ER, R or end with the letter A.

• These chargers are suitable for use on conventional, maintenance free, deep-cycle, and gel type lead-acid batteries. Use a charger with a one or two ampere rating for motorcycle batteries.
• Some models are marked as dual rate chargers on their front panels, with 2 Amp low, 6 to 60 Amp high. Use the high rate setting for normal charging, and low for slow or overnight charging of automobile batteries. The low rate setting is suitable for normal charging of most small capacity motorcycle and garden tractor type batteries.
• The battery will not discharge back through the charger if the AC power is turned off.
• DRY CHARGED BATTERIES require a conditioning charge after being filled with electrolyte. Follow the battery manufacturer’s charging instructions.

Operating Instructions

A spark near the battery may cause a battery explosion. To reduce risk of a spark near the battery when you connect the charger clips, ONLY connect one clip to the battery. Then, take the second clip and connect it to the car frame or engine block. If a spark should occur then, it will be far away from the battery. This type of connection works because every car battery has one cable which is connected to the body or car frame. This is called the ground cable. On most cars this cable is connected to the NEGATIVE terminal of the battery. This is called a NEGATIVE GROUND. Most cars made in the U.S.A., Europe, and Asia in the last twenty years have negative grounds.

Battery Polarity: A battery has two poles or posts. The positive battery post is usually marked POS, P, or + and is larger than the negative post which is usually marked NEG, N, or -.

The polarity of the charger and the battery MUST ALWAYS match to avoid damage to battery and charger. On a negative ground car: connect the positive (red) charger clip to the positive battery post first; then connect the negative (black) clip to negative ground (car frame or engine block). If you are not sure what type of ground your car has, have it checked before using charger.

For step by step instructions for charging your battery please download the provided PDF manual in the appropriate language at the top of this page.

TROUBLE SHOOTING

No DC Output On Ammeter When Charger Is On.

a) Unplug the charger and make sure connections are secure.
b) Check for wall outlet for power.
c) DC circuit breaker is tripped. See “Charger Overload” below.
d) A dead battery (Specific Gravity near 1.000) shows very low output on ammeter. After 15 to 20 minutes the indicated current rises and normal charging occurs.

Charger Overload.

The charger is protected against overloads by a self-resetting DC circuit breaker. An overload is indicated when a full scale ammeter reading abruptly falls to zero accompanied by a distinct “click” of the DC circuit breaker as it trips. A 3 to 5 minute cooling off period is required before the breaker will reset itself. If the overload condition still exists, the cycle will repeat.

Listed below are the conditions that can cause the circuit breaker to trip:

• A deeply discharged battery (Specific Gravity near 1.120). If the battery is in otherwise good condition, the circuit breaker may trip on and off several times until the battery recovers enough to allow a normal charge rate. If the tripping continues after 30 minutes, a larger charger should be used.
• A battery with a shorted cell. A battery in this condition may cause the breaker to trip continuously. It will not accept a charge and should be replaced.
• Charger leads are connected in reverse causing the breaker to trip continuously. May damage battery and charger.
• Touching the charger leads together with the charger turned on. This causes a spark which is dangerous if near a battery and could severely damage the charger.
• If proper hookup is observed and sparking does occur between charger clips and frame connection, DO NOT use the charger. Have it checked by a qualified service person.
• CAUTION: Regardless of what is causing the overload, unattended or routine operation in this manner could result in serious damage to the charger and the battery.

Charge Rate Does Not Go To Full Amp Rating Of Charger And/Or Falls Quickly When Charger Is Turned On.

• Battery is partially charged.
• Battery is partially charged.
• The AC outlet voltage is less than 120 volts.
• Corroded clips and/or battery posts.

Current Indicated On Ammeter Falls Slightly Showing No Further Change.

• Worn out battery with sulfated plates, replace battery.

STORAGE

Clean clips. Repack charger and instruction manual. Store in a dry place not subject to sub-zero temperatures which could cause the cord insulation to become stiff and possibly crack when uncoiled.