Using The Built-In Alternator Tester - Schumacher Electric SpeedCharge SC-1200A Owner's Manual

USING THE BUILT-IN ALTERNATOR TESTER

The charger has a built-in alternator
tester that displays either an accurate
alternator voltage or a percentage
estimate of the alternator's relative
output compared to normal alternators.
The Alternator % values displayed
should be taken as general reference,
not precise diagnosis. The alternator
tester functions the same as the battery
tester (see previous section of this
manual for details) with a few differ-
ences.
TESTING SEQUENCE
There are three basic steps required to
use the charger as an alternator tester.
1. Connect the charger battery clamps
to the battery or charging system. Be
sure to follow all of the precautions
listed under "OPERATING INSTRUC-
TIONS".
2. Connect the charger power cord to a
120 VAC outlet. Again, be sure to
follow all of the precautions listed
under "OPERATING INSTRUC-
TIONS".
3. Start the vehicle and turn on the
vehicle's headlights. Read the voltage
on the digital meter or press the
display mode button to set the tester
to "Alternator %" and read the
alternator percent.
TESTER STATUS LED's
When the charger is operating as an
alternator tester, the status LED's light
under the following conditions:
• The CHARGED (green) LED will light
if the output of the charging system is
at the normally desired level.
• The CHARGING (yellow) LED does
not light in the alternator test mode.
• The CHECK (red) LED lights if the
voltage is much higher or lower than
normally desired level.
• When the tester display mode is set
to voltage, none of the status LED's
light (charger could be testing a
battery or an alternator) as long as a
voltage greater than one volt is
detected.
ALTERNATOR TESTING NOTES
• The alternator percent display can
range from 0 to 199.
• The display mode cannot be set to
"Alternator %" during charging.
• If the charger is in the charge mode,
disconnect the AC cord from the
outlet and reconnect to activate the
tester mode.
11