Maintenance And Care - Schumacher Electric SC1281 Owner's Manual

USING THE BATTERY VOLTAGE TESTER
1. With the charger unplugged from the AC outlet, connect the charger to the battery, following the
instructions given in sections 6 and 7.
2. Connect the charger to a live grounded 120V AC outlet.
3. If necessary, press the Battery Type button until the correct battery type is indicated.
4. Read the voltage on the digital display. Keep in mind that this reading is only a battery voltage reading;
a false surface charge may mislead you. Compare the reading to the following chart.
12V Battery Voltage Reading 24V Battery Voltage Reading
12.8 or more
12.2 to 12.7
Less than 12.2
NOTE: The battery tester is only designed to test batteries. Testing a device with a rapidly changing
voltage could yield unexpected or inaccurate results.
POWER-UP AUTO-START
When charger is first powered up, if START button is not pressed within 30 seconds, but a battery is
properly connected, the unit will automatically switch from TESTER mode to CHARGER mode. In that
case, unit will set the Battery Type to AGM, and the Rate to Boost. Use Rate Selection and Battery Type
buttons to change these settings. See Section 10.
USING THE ALTERNATOR PERFORMANCE TESTER
1. With the charger unplugged from the AC outlet, connect the charger to the battery, following the
instructions given in previous sections.
2. Connect the charger to a live grounded 120V AC outlet.
3. Start the vehicle, rev the engine at 2000 rpm for 30 seconds and turn on the vehicle's headlights or
other accessories.
4. Read the voltage on the digital display. If you get a reading between 13.4 volts and 14.6 volts, the
alternator is working properly. If the reading is less than 13.4 volts or more than 14.6 volts, have the
charging system checked by a qualified technician.
NOTE: Refer to your vehicle owner's manual for appropriate voltage numbers for your alternator.

12. MAINTENANCE AND CARE

A minimal amount of care can keep your battery charger working properly for years.
• Clean the clamps each time you are finished charging. Wipe off any battery fluid that may have come
in contact with the clamps to prevent corrosion.
• Occasionally cleaning the case of the charger with a soft cloth will keep the finish shiny and help
prevent corrosion.
• Coil the input and output cords neatly when storing the charger. This will help prevent accidental damage
to the cords and charger.
• Store the charger unplugged from the AC power outlet in an upright position.
• Store inside, in a cool, dry place. Do not store the clamps clipped together, on or around metal, or
clipped to the cables.
25.6 or more
24.4 to 25.4
Less than 24.4
• 10 •
Battery Condition
Charged
Needs charging
Discharged