Schumacher SC1302 - Automatic Battery Charger Manual

Table of Contents

Contents

1 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
2 PERSONAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
3 PREPARING TO CHARGE
4 CHARGER LOCATION
5 DC CONNECTION PRECAUTIONS
6 FOLLOW THESE STEPS WHEN BATTERY IS INSTALLED IN VEHICLE
7 FOLLOW THESE STEPS WHEN BATTERY IS OUTSIDE VEHICLE
8 GROUNDING AND AC POWER CORD CONNECTIONS
9 ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
10 CONTROL PANEL
- 10.1 START/STOP BUTTON
- 10.2 LED INDICATORS
11 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
12 MAINTENANCE AND CARE
13 TROUBLESHOOTING
14 SPECIFICATIONS
15 BEFORE RETURNING FOR REPAIRS
16 Documents / Resources
- 16.1 References
- 16.2 Download manual

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS –
This manual contains important safety and operating instructions.
This charger is not intended for use by children.
Do not expose the charger to rain or snow.
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.
To reduce the risk of damage to electric plug and cord, pull by the plug rather than the cord when disconnecting charger.
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:

The pins on plug of extension cord are the same number, size and shape as those of plug on charger.
The extension cord is properly wired and in good electrical condition; and
The wire size is large enough for AC ampere rating of charger as specified.

Do not operate charger with damaged cord or plug – replace the cord or plug immediately.
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.
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.
To reduce risk of electric shock, unplug charger from outlet before attempting any maintenance or cleaning. Turning off controls will not reduce this risk.
RISK OF EXPLOSIVE GASES.
1. WORKING IN VICINITY OF A LEADACID 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 markings on these products and on engine.

PERSONAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Consider having someone close enough by to come to your aid when you work near a lead-acid battery.
Have plenty of fresh water and soap nearby in case battery acid contacts skin, clothing, or eyes.
Wear complete eye protection and clothing protection. Avoid touching eyes while working near battery.
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.
NEVER smoke or allow a spark or flame in vicinity of battery or engine.
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.
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.
Use charger for charging only LEAD-ACID (STD or AGM) rechargeable batteries with recommended rated capacities of 12 Ah (6V) and 44-68Ah (12V). It is not intended to supply power to a low voltage electrical system other than in a startermotor 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.
NEVER charge a frozen battery.
This product contains one dropping a metal tool onto battery. It might or more chemicals known to the State spark or short-circuit battery or other of California to cause cancer and birth electrical part that may cause explosion. defects or other reproductive harm.

PREPARING TO CHARGE

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.
Be sure area around battery is well ventilated while battery is being charged.
Clean battery terminals. Be careful to keep corrosion from coming in contact with eyes.
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.
Study all battery manufacturer's specific precautions while charging and recommended rates of charge.
Determine voltage of battery by referring to car 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.

CHARGER LOCATION

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

DC CONNECTION PRECAUTIONS

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.
Attach clips to battery and chassis, as indicated.

FOLLOW THESE STEPS WHEN BATTERY IS INSTALLED IN VEHICLE

A SPARK NEAR THE BATTERY MAY CAUSE A BATTERY EXPLOSION. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF A SPARK NEAR THE BATTERY:

Position AC and DC cords to reduce risk of damage by hood, door, or moving engine part.
Stay clear of fan blades, belts, pulleys, and other parts that can cause injury to persons.
Check polarity of battery posts. POSITIVE (POS, P, +) battery post usually has larger diameter than NEGATIVE (NEG, N,–) post
Determine which post of battery is grounded (connected) to the chassis.
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.
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.
When disconnecting charger, turn switches to off, disconnect AC cord, remove clip from vehicle chassis, and then remove clip from battery terminal.
See Operating Instructions for length of charge information.

FOLLOW THESE STEPS WHEN BATTERY IS OUTSIDE VEHICLE

A SPARK NEAR THE BATTERY MAY CAUSE A BATTERY EXPLOSION. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF A SPARK NEAR THE BATTERY:

Check polarity of battery posts. POSITIVE (POS, P, +) battery post usually has a larger diameter than NEGATIVE (NEG, N, –) post.
Attach at least a 24-inch-long 6-gauge (AWG) insulated battery cable to NEGATIVE (NEG, N, –) battery post.
Connect POSITIVE (RED) charger clip to POSITIVE (POS, P, +) post of battery.
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.
Do not face battery when making final connection.
When disconnecting charger, always do so in reverse sequence of connecting procedure and break first connection while as far away from battery as practical.
A marine (boat) battery must be removed and charged on shore. To charge it on board requires equipment specially designed for marine use.

GROUNDING AND AC POWER CORD CONNECTIONS

This battery charger is for use on a nominal 120 volt circuit. The plug must be plugged into an outlet that is properly installed and grounded in accordance with all local codes and ordinances. The plug pins must fit the receptacle (outlet). Do not use with an ungrounded system.
Never alter the AC cord or plug provided – if it does not fit the outlet, have a proper grounded outlet installed by a qualified electrician. An improper connection can result in a risk of an electric shock or electrocution.
NOTE: Pursuant to Canadian Regulations, use of an adapter plug is not allowed in Canada. Use of an adapter plug in the United States is not recommended and should not be used.
USING AN EXTENSION CORD
The use of an extension cord is not recommended. If you must use an extension cord, follow these guidelines:

Pins on plug of extension cord must be the same number, size, and shape as those of plug on charger.
Ensure that the extension cord is properly wired and in good electrical condition.
Wire size must be large enough for the AC ampere rating of charger, as specified:

Length of cord (feet)	25	50	100	150
AWG* size of cord	18	18	16	14

*AWG-American Wire Gauge

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

Remove all cord wraps and uncoil the cables prior to using the battery charger.

CONTROL PANEL

START/STOP BUTTON

Press to immediately begin charging your properly connected battery. If the button is not pressed, charging should begin in ten minutes.

LED INDICATORS

POWER (green) LED:
The charger is connected to an AC outlet.

BAD BATTERY (red) LED:
The charger has detected a problem with the battery. See Troubleshooting for more information.

CLAMPS REVERSED (red) LED flashing:
The connections are reversed.

CHARGING (yellow/orange) LED lit:
The charger is charging the battery.

CHARGED/MAINTAINING (green) LED lit:
The battery is fully charged and the charger is in maintain mode.

NOTE: See Operating Instructions for a complete description of the charger modes.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

A spark near a lead-acid battery may cause an explosion.

Do not start the vehicle with the charger connected to the AC outlet, or it could result in damage to the charger.

CHARGING A BATTERY IN THE VEHICLE

Turn off all the vehicle's accessories.
Keep the hood open.
Clean the battery terminals.
Place the charger on a dry, nonflammable surface.
Lay the AC/DC cables away from any fan blades, belts, pulleys and other moving parts.
Connect the battery, following the precautions listed.
Connect the charger to a live grounded 120V AC outlet.
The green POWER LED will light.
Charging will begin within ten minutes and finish automatically. (Press the START/STOP button to begin charging immediately.)
When charging is complete, disconnect the charger from the AC power, remove the clamps from the vehicle's chassis, and then remove the clamp from the battery terminal.

CHARGING A BATTERY OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE

Place battery in a well-ventilated area.
Clean the battery terminals.
Connect the battery, following the precautions listed.
Connect the charger to a live grounded 120V AC outlet.
The green POWER LED will light.
Charging will begin within ten minutes and finish automatically. (Press the START/STOP button to begin charging immediately.)
When charging is complete, disconnect the charger from the AC power, disconnect the negative clamp, and finally the positive clamp.
A marine (boat) battery must be removed and charged on shore.

CHARGE RATE

The charge rate is measured in amps. The charger will automatically adjust the charging current, based on battery size, in order to charge the battery completely, efficiently and safely. Do not use for industrial applications.

POWER-UP IDLE TIME LIMIT

If the Start/Stop button is not pressed within 10 minutes after the battery charger is first powered up, charging will automatically begin, when properly connected to a battery.

AUTOMATIC CHARGING MODE

When an Automatic Charge is performed, the charger switches to the maintain mode automatically after the battery is charged.

BATTERY CHARGING TIMES

BATTERY CHARGING TIMES
Times are based on a 50% discharged battery and may change, depending on age and condition of battery.

ABORTED CHARGE

If charging cannot be completed normally, charging will abort. When charging aborts, the charger's output is shut off. and the BAD BATTERY (red) LED will light. Do not continue attempting to charge this battery. Check the battery and replace, if necessary.

DESULFATION MODE

Desulfation could take 8 to 10 hours. If desulfation fails, charging will abort and the BAD BATTERY (red) LED will light.

COMPLETION OF CHARGE

Charge completion is indicated by the CHARGED/MAINTAINING (green) LED. When lit, the charger has switched to Maintain Mode.

MAINTAIN MODE (FLOAT MODE MONITORING)

When the CHARGED/MAINTAINING (green) LED is lit, the charger has started maintain mode. In this mode, the charger keeps the battery fully charged by delivering a small current when necessary. If the charger has to provide its maximum maintain current for a continuous 12 hour period, it will go into Abort Mode (see Aborted Charge section). This is usually caused by a drain on the battery or the battery could be bad. Make sure there are no loads on the battery. If there are, remove them. If there are none, have the battery checked or replaced.

MAINTAINING A BATTERY

The SC1302 maintains 12 volt batteries, keeping them at full charge. It can charge and maintain both small and large batteries.

NOTE: The maintain mode technology allows you to safely charge and maintain a healthy battery for extended periods of time. However, problems with the battery, electrical problems in the vehicle, improper connections or other unanticipated conditions could cause excessive current draws. As such, occasionally monitoring your battery and the charging process is recommended.

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.

TROUBLESHOOTING

PROBLEM	POSSIBLE CAUSE	SOLUTION
The POWER LED does not light when charger is properly connected.	AC outlet is dead. Poor electrical connection.	Check for open fuse or circuit breaker supplying AC outlet. Check power cord and extension cord for a loose fitting plug.
The battery is correctly connected, but the LED did not light immediately.	If the START/STOP button is not pressed, charging should begin in ten minutes.	No problem; this is normal.
The battery is properly connected, but the LED never lit.	The battery voltage is low.	Press the START/STOP button to start charging.
The LED is lit.	The battery voltage is still below 10V after 2 hours of charging. (or) In maintain mode, the output current is more than 1.5A for 12 hours. Desulfation was unsuccessful. Lack of progress is detected and battery voltage is below 14.2V. The battery's initial voltage is below 12.2V and the total input is less than 1.5 Ah. The battery voltage drops to below 12.2V in Maintain Mode.	The battery may be defective. Make sure there are no loads on the battery. If there are, remove them. If there are none, have the battery checked or replaced. The battery may be defective. Have battery checked or replaced. The battery may be overheated. If so, allow the battery to cool. The battery may be too large or have a short circuit. Have battery checked or replaced. The battery capacity is too low, or the battery is too old. Have it checked or replaced. The battery won't hold a charge. May be caused by a drain on the battery or the battery could be bad. Make sure there are no loads on the battery. If there are remove them. If there are none, have the battery checked or replaced.

SPECIFICATIONS

Input Voltage 120V AC @ 60Hz, 2.2A

Output Voltage 12V

Output Current Rating 8A DC @ 12V DC

BEFORE RETURNING FOR REPAIRS

If these solutions do not eliminate the problem, or for more information about troubleshooting, contact customer service for assistance:
services@schumacherelectric.com
www.batterychargers.com or call 1-800-621-5485
Monday-Friday 7:00am to 5:00pm CST

For REPAIR OR RETURN, contact Customer Service at 1-800-621-5485. DO NOT SHIP UNIT until you receive a RETURN MERCHANDISE AUTHORIZATION (RMA) number from Customer Service at Schumacher Electric Corporation.