Schumacher SC1301 - Automatic Battery Charger Manual

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

PLEASE SAVE THIS OWNERS MANUAL AND READ BEFORE EACH USE. This manual will explain how to use the battery charger safely and effectively. Please read and follow these instructions and precautions carefully.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

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 markings on these products and on engine.

PERSONAL SAFETY 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 only LEAD-ACID (STD or AGM) rechargeable batteries with recommended rated capacities of 12 Ah (6V) and 22-59Ah (12V). 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.
10. 
    This product contains one or more chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

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.

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:

1. Position AC and DC cords 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). If positive post is grounded to the chassis.
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, turn switches to off, disconnect AC cord, remove clip from vehicle chassis, and then remove clip from battery terminal.
8. See Operating Instructions for length of charge information.

CONTROL PANEL

LED INDICATORS

	CLAMPS REVERSED/ BAD BATTERY (red) LED flashing: The connections are reversed.		CHARGING (yellow/orange) LED lit: The charger is charging the battery.
	CLAMPS REVERSED/ BAD BATTERY (red) LED lit: The charger has detected a problem with the battery. See Troubleshooting for more information.		CHARGED/MAINTAINING (green) LED pulsing: 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 the 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. NOTE: This charger is equipped with an auto-start feature. Current will not be supplied to the battery clamps until a battery is properly connected. The clamps will not spark if touched together.

CHARGING A BATTERY IN THE VEHICLE

1. Turn off all the vehicle's accessories.
2. Keep the hood open.
3. Clean the battery terminals.
4. Place the charger on a dry, nonflammable surface.
5. Lay the AC/DC cables away from any fan blades, belts, pulleys and other moving parts.
6. Connect the battery, following the precautions.
7. Connect the charger to an electrical outlet.
8. 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

1. Place battery in a well-ventilated area.
2. Clean the battery terminals.
3. Connect the battery, following the precautions.
4. Connect the charger to the electrical outlet.
5. When charging is complete, disconnect the charger from the AC power, disconnect the negative clamp, and finally the positive clamp.
6. A marine (boat) battery must be removed and charged on shore.

CHARGE RATE
The charger will automatically adjust the charging current, based on battery size, in order to charge the battery completely, efficiently and safely.

BATTERY CHARGING TIMES

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

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

ABORTED CHARGE
If charging cannot be completed normally, charging will abort. When charging aborts, the charger's output is shut off, and the CLAMPS REVERSED/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 CLAMPS REVERSED/BAD BATTERY (red) LED will light.

COMPLETION OF CHARGE
Charge completion is indicated by the CHARGED (green) LED. When pulsing, the charger has switched to the maintain mode of operation.

MAINTAIN MODE (FLOAT MODE MONITORING)
When the CHARGED (green) LED is pulsing, 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 SC1301 maintains both 6 and 12 volt batteries, keeping them at full charge.
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 required.

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, clipped to the handle, on or around metal, or clipped to the cables.

TROUBLESHOOTING

PROBLEM	POSSIBLE CAUSE	SOLUTION
Battery clamps do not spark when touched together	The charger is equipped with an auto-start feature. It will not supply current to the battery clamps until a battery is properly connected. The clamps will not spark if touched together.	No problem; this is a normal condition.
Three LEDs come on for 2 seconds, then turn off.	The charger is plugged into an AC outlet.	No problem; this is normal.
The charger will not turn on when properly connected.	AC outlet is dead. Poor electrical connection. Battery is defective.	Check for open fuse or circuit breaker supplying AC outlet. Check power cord and extension cord for loose fitting plug. Have the battery checked.
I cannot select a 6V or 12V setting	The charger is equipped with Auto Voltage Detection, which automatically detects the voltage and charges the battery.	No problem; this is normal.
The red LED is lit.	The battery voltage is still below 10V (for a 12V battery) or 5V (for a 6V battery) 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 (for a 12V battery) or 7.1V (for a 6V battery). The battery's initial voltage is below 12.2V (for a 12V battery) or 6.1V (for a 6V battery) and the total input is less than 1.5 Ah. The battery voltage drops to below 12.2V (for a 12V battery) or 6.1V (for a 6V battery) 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

BEFORE RETURNING FOR REPAIRS