VIKING 56796 - 2/8/15 Amp Automatic Microprocessor Controlled Battery Charger Manual
  1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. Viking Manuals
  4. Battery Charger
  5. 56796
  6. User manual

VIKING 56796 - 2/8/15 Amp Automatic Microprocessor Controlled Battery Charger Manual

Advertisement

Table of Contents
Contents
VIKING 56796 - 2/8/15 Amp Automatic Microprocessor Controlled Battery Charger Manual

WARNING SYMBOLS AND DEFINITIONS

warning This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential personal injury hazards. Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury or death.
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.
Addresses practices not related to personal injury.
VAC Volts Alternating Current
A Amperes
CCA Cold Cranking Amps
RC Reserve Capacity
Ah Ampere-hours
WARNING marking concerning Risk of Eye Injury. Wear ANSI-approved splash-resistant safety goggles.
Read the manual before set-up and/or use.
WARNING marking concerning Risk of Fire. Follow connection procedure.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

  1. SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS – This manual contains important safety and operating instructions for this battery charger.
  2. Do not expose charger to rain or snow.
  3. Use of an attachment not recommended or sold by the battery charger manufacturer may result in a risk of fire, electric shock, or injury to persons.
  4. To reduce risk of damage to electric plug and cord, pull by plug rather than cord when disconnecting charger.
  5. 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 an extension cord must be used, make sure:
    1. That pins on plug of extension cord are the same number, size, and shape as those of plug on charger;
    2. That extension cord is properly wired and in good electrical condition; and
    3. That wire size is large enough for AC ampere rating of charger as specified in Table A.
Table A: Recommended minimum AWG size for extension cords for battery chargers
AC input rating, amperes* AWG size of cord
Length of cord, feet
Equal to or greater than But less than 25 50 100 150
0 2 18 18 18 16
2 3 18 18 16 14
3 4 18 18 16 14
4 5 18 18 14 12
5 6 18 16 14 12
6 8 18 16 12 10
8 10 18 14 12 10
10 12 16 14 10 8
12 14 16 12 10 8
14 16 16 12 10 8
16 18 14 12 8 8
18 20 14 12 8 6
* If the input rating of a charger is given in watts rather than in amperes, the corresponding ampere rating is to be determined by dividing the wattage rating by the voltage rating – for example:
1250 watts/125 volts = 10 amperes
  1. Do not operate charger with damaged cord or plug – replace the cord or plug immediately.
  1. Do not operate charger if it has received a sharp blow, been dropped, or otherwise damaged in any way; take it to a qualified serviceman.
  2. Do not disassemble charger; take it to a qualified serviceman when service or repair is required. Incorrect reassembly may result in a risk of electric shock or fire.
  3. To reduce risk of electric shock, unplug charger from outlet before attempting any maintenance or cleaning. Turning off controls will not reduce this risk.

  4. RISK OF EXPLOSIVE GASES.
    1. WORKING IN VICINITY OF A LEAD-ACID BATTERY IS DANGEROUS. BATTERIES GENERATE EXPLOSIVE GASES DURING NORMAL BATTERY OPERATION. FOR THIS REASON, IT IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE THAT YOU FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS EACH TIME YOU USE THE CHARGER.
    2. To reduce risk of battery explosion, follow these instructions and those published by battery manufacturer and manufacturer of any equipment you intend to use in vicinity of battery. Review cautionary marking on these products and on engine.
  5. PERSONAL PRECAUTIONS
    1. Consider having someone close enough by to come to your aid when you work near a lead-acid battery.
    2. Have plenty of fresh water and soap nearby in case battery acid contacts skin, clothing, or eyes.
    3. Wear complete eye protection and clothing protection. Avoid touching eyes while working near battery.
    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.
    5. NEVER smoke or allow a spark or flame in vicinity of battery or engine.
    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.
    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 shortcircuit current high enough to weld a ring or the like to metal, causing a severe burn.
    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-motor 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.
    9. NEVER charge a frozen battery.
  1. PREPARING TO CHARGE
    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.
    2. Be sure area around battery is well ventilated while battery is being charged.
    3. Clean battery terminals. Be careful to keep corrosion from coming in contact with eyes.
    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 manufacturer's recharging instructions.
    5. Study all battery manufacturer's specific precautions while charging and recommended rates of charge.
    6. Determine voltage of battery by referring to vehicle owner's manual and make sure it matches output rating of battery charger. If charger has adjustable charge rate, charge battery initially at lowest rate.
  2. CHARGER LOCATION
    1. Locate charger as far away from battery as DC cables permit.
    2. Never place charger directly above battery being charged; gases from battery will corrode and damage charger.
    3. Never allow battery acid to drip on charger when reading electrolyte specific gravity or filling battery.
    4. Do not operate charger in a closed-in area or restrict ventilation in any way.
    5. Do not set a battery on top of charger.
  3. DC CONNECTION PRECAUTIONS
    1. Connect and disconnect DC output clips only after setting any charger switches to "off" position and removing AC cord from electric outlet. Never allow clips to touch each other.
    2. Attach clips to battery and chassis as indicated in 15(e), 15(f), and 16(b) through 16(d).
  1. FOLLOW THESE STEPS WHEN BATTERY IS INSTALLED IN VEHICLE. A SPARK NEAR BATTERY MAY CAUSE BATTERY EXPLOSION.
    TO REDUCE RISK OF A SPARK NEAR BATTERY:
    1. Position AC and DC cables to reduce risk of damage by 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,–) post.
    4. Determine which post of battery is grounded (connected) to the chassis. If negative post is grounded to chassis (as in most vehicles), see (e). If positive post is grounded to the chassis, see (f).
    5. For negative-grounded vehicle, connect POSITIVE (RED) clip from battery charger to POSITIVE (POS, P, +) ungrounded post of battery. Connect NEGATIVE (BLACK) clip to vehicle chassis or engine block away from battery. Do not connect clip to carburetor, fuel lines, or sheet-metal body parts. Connect to a heavy gauge metal part of the frame or engine block.
    6. For positive-grounded vehicle, connect NEGATIVE (BLACK) clip from battery charger to NEGATIVE (NEG, N, –) ungrounded post of battery. Connect POSITIVE (RED) clip to vehicle chassis or engine block away from battery. Do not connect clip to carburetor, fuel lines, or sheet-metal body parts. Connect to a heavy gauge metal part of the frame or engine block.
    7. When disconnecting charger, disconnect AC cord, remove clip from vehicle chassis, and then remove clip from battery terminal.
    8. See operating instructions for length of charge information.
  2. FOLLOW THESE STEPS WHEN BATTERY IS OUTSIDE VEHICLE. A SPARK NEAR THE BATTERY MAY CAUSE BATTERY EXPLOSION.
    TO REDUCE RISK OF A SPARK NEAR BATTERY:
    1. Check polarity of battery posts. POSITIVE (POS, P, +) battery post usually has a larger diameter than NEGATIVE (NEG, N, –) post.
    2. Attach at least a 24-inch-long 6-gauge (AWG) insulated battery cable to NEGATIVE (NEG, N, –) battery post.
    3. Connect POSITIVE (RED) charger clip to POSITIVE (POS, P, +) post of battery.
    4. Position yourself and free end of cable as far away from battery as possible – then connect NEGATIVE (BLACK) charger clip to free end of cable.
    5. Do not face battery when making final connection.
    6. When disconnecting charger, always do so in reverse sequence of connecting procedure and break first connection while as far away from battery as practical.
    7. A marine (boat) battery must be removed and charged on shore. To charge it on board requires equipment specially designed for marine use.
  1. Wear ANSI-approved splash-resistant safety goggles and heavy-duty rubber work gloves whenever connecting, disconnecting, or working near battery. Battery acid can cause permanent blindness.
  2. Maintain labels and nameplates on the charger. These carry important safety information. If unreadable or missing, contact Harbor Freight Tools for a replacement.
  3. This product is not a toy. Keep it out of reach of children.
  4. Unplug the Battery Charger from its electrical outlet before connecting its cables to a battery, or performing any inspection, maintenance, or cleaning procedures.
  5. Use this Charger with flooded lead-acid batteries only. Do not overcharge a maintenance-free battery.
  6. Do not attempt to charge non-rechargeable or defective batteries.
  7. Do not charge more than one battery at one time.
  8. Have your charger serviced by a qualified repair person using only identical replacement parts. This will ensure that the safety of the charger is maintained.
  9. Do not use charger while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication. A moment of inattention while operating charger may result in serious personal injury.
  10. Before moving charger, disconnect power supply and battery, then allow charger to cool.
  11. People with pacemakers should consult their physician(s) before use. Electromagnetic fields in close proximity to heart pacemaker could cause pacemaker interference or pacemaker failure. In addition, people with pacemakers should:
  • Avoid operating alone.
  • Properly maintain and inspect to avoid electrical shock.
  • Properly ground power cord. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) should also be implemented – it prevents sustained electrical shock.
  1. The warnings, precautions, and instructions discussed in this instruction manual cannot cover all possible conditions and situations that may occur. It must be understood by the operator that common sense and caution are factors which cannot be built into this product, but must be supplied by the operator.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

Grounding and AC Power Cord Connection Instructions
Charger should be grounded to reduce risk of electric shock. The plug must be plugged into an outlet that is properly installed and grounded in accordance with all local codes and ordinances.


Never alter AC cord or plug provided – if it will not fit outlet, have proper outlet installed by a qualified electrician. Improper connection can result in a risk of an electric shock.

Specifications

Electrical Rating 120 V AC / 60 H z / 3.5 A
Charge Settings* 2 A / 8 A / 15 A
Battery Cables 6', 14 AWG
Red = Positive
Black = Negative
Power Cord 6'

*Amperage is only present while connected to a battery.

Setup

warning Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION section at the beginning of this manual including all text under subheadings therein before set up or use of this product.

Controls

Controls

LCD Display: Displays charging status, charging current, voltage, battery type, recondition mode, winter mode, and error codes.

Amperage Button: Use to set the amperage output from 2 A, 8 A, 15 A and automatic charging rate.

Battery Type Button: Use to select the battery type from standard or AGM. For GEL batteries use the standard setting.

Charge Button: Use to begin charging manually.

Recondition Button: Use to activate the battery reconditioning function for weak, sulfated, or deeply discharged batteries.

Winter Mode Button: Use to activate the winter charging mode in cold weather.

Protection Features:

  • Overheating protection – I f the Charger overheats, it will automatically shut off. Charger will automatically resume when it has cooled down.
  • Reverse polarity – i f the cables are connected incorrectly, the Charger will not function, and LCD screen displays reverse polarity error code.
  • Overcharging protection – i f the battery cannot be fully charged within 24 hours, Charger will stop charging automatically.

Operating Instructions

warning Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION section at the beginning of this manual including all text under subheadings therein before set up or use of this product.


TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY:
DO NOT PLUG IN CHARGER UNTIL DIRECTED TO DO SO.
Use this Charger only on AGM, GEL, and standard lead-acid batteries. Other batteries may be damaged or may overheat, leak, or catch fire.

Preparing to Charge


TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY:
Wear AnSI-approved splash-resistant safety goggles and heavy-duty rubber work gloves whenever connecting, disconnecting, or working near battery.
Battery acid can cause permanent blindness.

  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.
  2. Make sure area around battery is well ventilated while battery is being charged.
  3. Clean battery terminals. Be careful to keep corrosion from coming in contact with eyes.
  4. With standard lead acid batteries, add distilled water in each cell until battery acid reaches level specified by battery manufacturer. Do not overfill. For sealed batteries without removable cell caps, such as AGM, GEL, or valve regulated lead acid batteries, carefully follow manufacturer's recharging instructions.
  1. Study all battery manufacturer's specific precautions while charging and recommended rates of charge.
  2. Determine voltage of battery by referring to vehicle owner's manual and make sure it matches output rating of battery Charger. If Charger has adjustable charge rate, charge battery initially at lowest rate.
  3. A marine (boat) battery must be removed and charged on shore. To charge it on board requires equipment specially designed for marine use.

Charger Location

  1. Locate Charger as far away from battery as DC cables permit.
  2. Never place Charger directly above battery being charged; gases from battery will corrode and damage Charger.
  1. Never allow battery acid to drip on Charger when reading electrolyte specific gravity or filling battery.
  2. Do not operate Charger in a closed-in area or restrict ventilation in any way.
  3. Do not set a battery on top of Charger.

Charging Battery Installed in Vehicle


A SPARK NEAR BATTERY MAY CAUSE BATTERY EXPLOSION.
TO REDUCE RISK OF A SPARK NEAR BATTERY FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS EXACTLY.


TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY:
Wear AnSI-approved splash-resistant safety goggles and heavy-duty rubber work gloves whenever connecting, disconnecting, or working near battery.
Battery acid can cause permanent blindness.

  1. Position AC and DC cables to reduce risk of damage by 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,–) post.
  4. Determine which post of battery is grounded (connected) to the chassis. If negative post is grounded to chassis (as in most vehicles), see 5. If positive post is grounded to the chassis, see 6.
  5. For negative-grounded vehicle, connect POSITIVE (RED) clamp from Battery Charger to POSITIVE (POS, P, +) ungrounded post of battery. Connect NEGATIVE (BLACK) clamp to vehicle chassis or engine block away from battery. Do not connect clamp to carburetor, fuel lines, or sheet-metal body parts. Connect to a heavy gauge metal part of the frame or engine block.
  1. For positive-grounded vehicle, connect NEGATIVE (BLACK) clamp from Battery Charger to NEGATIVE (NEG, N, –) ungrounded post of battery. Connect POSITIVE (RED) clamp to vehicle chassis or engine block away from battery. Do not connect clamp to carburetor, fuel lines, or sheetmetal body parts. Connect to a heavy gauge metal part of the frame or engine block.
  2. When disconnecting Charger, disconnect AC cord, remove clamp from vehicle chassis, and then remove clamp from battery terminal.
  3. After use clean, then store the Charger indoors out of children's reach.

Charging Battery Outside Vehicle


A SPARK NEAR BATTERY MAY CAUSE BATTERY EXPLOSION.
TO REDUCE RISK OF A SPARK NEAR BATTERY FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS EXACTLY.


TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY:
Wear AnSI-approved splash-resistant safety goggles and heavy-duty rubber work gloves whenever connecting, disconnecting, or working near battery.
Battery acid can cause permanent blindness.

  1. Check polarity of battery posts. POSITIVE (POS, P, +) battery post usually has a larger diameter than NEGATIVE (NEG, N, –) post.
  2. Attach at least a 24-inch-long 6-gauge (AWG) insulated battery cable to NEGATIVE (NEG, N, –) battery post.
  3. Connect POSITIVE (RED) Charger clamp to POSITIVE (POS, P, +) post of battery.
  4. Position yourself and free end of cable as far away from battery as possible – t hen connect NEGATIVE (BLACK) Charger clamp to free end of cable.
  1. Do not face battery when making final connection.
  2. When disconnecting Charger, always do so in reverse sequence of connecting procedure and break first connection while as far away from battery as practical.
  3. After use clean, then store the Charger indoors out of children's reach.

Operation


A SPARK NEAR BATTERY MAY CAUSE BATTERY EXPLOSION.
TO REDUCE RISK OF A SPARK NEAR BATTERY FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS EXACTLY.


TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY:
Wear AnSI-approved splash-resistant safety goggles and heavy-duty rubber work gloves whenever connecting, disconnecting, or working near battery.
Battery acid can cause permanent blindness.

  1. Follow directions to connect Charger to battery, then plug the Power Cord into a properly grounded outlet. If the cable clamps are not connected or the connection is loose, the LCD screen will display as shown in Figure A:.
  1. When a good connection has been made, the LCD screen will display the battery capacity and voltage. See example in Figure B:.
  1. Press the "AMP" button to choose the desired charging rate – if unsure select the automatic charging rate. Press the "BATTERY TYPE" button to select battery type – f or GEL batteries select "STD" – then press the "CHARGE" button to start charging. The LCD screen will display the settings. See example in Figure C:.

Note: If user does not select the charging amp and battery type settings within 30 seconds, Charger will start charging the battery using the default setting – a utomatic charging rate for standard battery.

  1. Once the battery is fully charged the Charger automatically switches to a float charge/maintenance mode.
  2. For weak/sulfated batteries or batteries that have been unused for long periods of time, the battery reconditioning function may be used to recover the battery from deep discharge and help the battery last longer. Press the "RECONDITION" button to activate this function. The LCD screen will display as shown in Figure D:.
  1. When the reconditioning process is finished, the LCD screen will display as shown in Figure E: and the Charger will return to normal charge mode.
  1. The winter charging mode may be used for specialized battery charging in winter weather conditions. To enter this mode, press the "WINTER" button at any stage in the charging process. A snowflake icon will appear in the LCD screen display indicating Charger is in the winter charging mode. See example in Figure F:. Pressing the "WINTER" button again will exit the winter charging mode.

Maintenance Instructions

warningProcedures not specifically explained in this manual must be performed only by a qualified technician.


TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY: Unplug the Charger, disconnect any battery, and allow Charger to cool completely before performing any inspection, maintenance, or cleaning procedures.

TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY FROM TOOL FAILURE: Do not use damaged equipment. If abnormal noise or vibration occurs, have the problem corrected before further use.

  1. BEFORE EACH USE, inspect the general condition of the Charger. Check for:
    • loose hardware
    • cracked or broken parts
    • damaged electrical wiring or cable insulation
    • any other condition that may affect its safe operation.
  1. AFTER USE, wipe external surfaces of the tool with clean cloth.

  2. If charger is damaged, it must be replaced only by a qualified service technician. DO NOT OPEN CHARGER HOUSING, NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.

Troubleshooting Error Codes

Error Code Possible Causes Likely Solutions
Clamps connected to wrong terminals on battery. Correct clamp connections on battery.
The Charger is overheating. Make sure air vents on Charger are clear. Charger will automatically resume charging when it has cooled down.
Charger may be connected to 24 V battery. Verify battery being charged is 12 V.
  1. An appliance is drawing power from battery being charged.
  2. Selected charging rate is too low for battery rating.
  1. Disconnect the appliance and charge battery again.
  2. Select higher charging rate and continue charging battery.
Defective battery, will not hold full charge. Have battery checked by a qualified technician. Replace battery if necessary.
warningFollow all safety precautions whenever diagnosing or servicing the tool. Disconnect power supply before service.

Record Product's Serial Number Here:

Note: If product has no serial number, record month and year of purchase instead.

Note: Internal parts are not user-serviceable and are not available.
Reference UPC 792363567961

For technical questions, please call 1-888-866-5797.

Limited 90 Day Warranty

Harbor Freight Tools Co. makes every effort to assure that its products meet high quality and durability standards, and warrants to the original purchaser that this product is free from defects in materials and workmanship for the period of 90 days from the date of purchase. This warranty does not apply to damage due directly or indirectly, to misuse, abuse, negligence or accidents, repairs or alterations outside our facilities, criminal activity, improper installation, normal wear and tear, or to lack of maintenance. We shall in no event be liable for death, injuries to persons or property, or for incidental, contingent, special or consequential damages arising from the use of our product. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation of exclusion may not apply to you. THIS WARRANTY IS EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS.

To take advantage of this warranty, the product or part must be returned to us with transportation charges prepaid. Proof of purchase date and an explanation of the complaint must accompany the merchandise. If our inspection verifies the defect, we will either repair or replace the product at our election or we may elect to refund the purchase price if we cannot readily and quickly provide you with a replacement. We will return repaired products at our expense, but if we determine there is no defect, or that the defect resulted from causes not within the scope of our warranty, then you must bear the cost of returning the product. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

FCC STATEMENT


Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.

This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

  • Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
  • Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
  • Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
  • Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

26677 Agoura Road • Calabasas, CA 91302 • 1-888-866-5797

Documents / Resources

Download manual

Here you can download full pdf version of manual, it may contain additional safety instructions, warranty information, FCC rules, etc.

Download VIKING 56796 - 2/8/15 Amp Automatic Microprocessor Controlled Battery Charger Manual

Advertisement

Need Assistance?

Do you have a question about the 56796 that isn't answered in the manual? Leave your question here.

Error while submitting your question. Please, reload page and try again.

Thank you! Your question has been received!

Related Manuals for Viking 56796

Save Article as PDF

Table of Contents