Personal Precautions; Preparing To Charge - Schumacher SpeedCharge SC-8020A Owner's Manual

2.

pERSONAL pRECAUTiONS

2.1 Consider having someone close enough by to come to your aid when you
work near a lead-acid battery.
2.2 Have plenty of fresh water and soap nearby in case battery acid contacts
skin, clothing, or eyes.
2.3 Wear complete eye protection and clothing protection. Avoid touching
eyes while working near battery.
2.4 If battery acid contacts skin or clothing, wash immediately with soap and
water. If acid enters eye, immediately flood eye with running cold water for
at least 10 minutes and get medical attention immediately.
2.5 NEVER smoke or allow a spark or flame in vicinity of battery or engine.
2.6 Be extra cautious to reduce risk of dropping a metal tool onto battery. It
might spark or short-circuit battery or other electrical part that may cause
explosion.
2.7 Remove personal metal items such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, and
watches when working with a lead-acid battery. A lead-acid battery can
produce a short-circuit current high enough to weld a ring or the like to
metal, causing a severe burn.
2.8 Use charger for charging a LEAD-ACID battery only. It is not intended to
supply power to a low voltage electrical system other than in a starter-mo-
tor application. Do not use battery charger for charging dry-cell batteries
that are commonly used with home appliances. These batteries may burst
and cause injury to persons and damage to property.
2.9 NEVER charge a frozen battery.
3.

pREpARiNg TO ChARgE

3.1 If necessary to remove battery from vehicle to charge, always remove
grounded terminal from battery first. Make sure all accessories in the
vehicle are off, so as not to cause an arc.
3.2 Be sure area around battery is well ventilated while battery is being
charged.
3.3 Clean battery terminals. Be careful to keep corrosion from coming in con-
tact with eyes.
3.4 Add distilled water in each cell until battery acid reaches level specified by
battery manufacturer. Do not overfill. For a battery without removable cell
caps, such as valve regulated lead acid batteries, carefully follow manu-
facturer's recharging instructions.
3.5 Study all battery manufacturer's specific precautions while charging and
recommended rates of charge.
3.6 Determine voltage of battery by referring to vehicle owner's manual and
make sure that output voltage selector switch is set at correct voltage. If
charger has adjustable charge rate, charge battery initially at lowest rate.
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