Introduction; Description; How Batteries Charge; Deeply-Discharged Lead-Calcium Batteries - Solar Octane OS6110 Owner's Manual

Description

This battery charger is designed to handle the majority of your charging and starting needs.
• Multiple Charge Rates for various battery sizes.
• High-Amperage Engine Start to help start vehicles when the battery is too weak to do the job alone.
• An Ammeter to monitor charging progress.
• A Timer switch (some units) to set the desired charge time (some with an AUTO MODE charge position).
• Large Saw-Tooth Clamps assure good connection to top or side-mount battery terminals.
• Wheel and Handle Kit for easy moving around your shop.
• Heavy-Duty Construction for long, trouble-free life.

How Batteries Charge

A charger does not force current into a battery – it makes a limited amount of current available and the battery
draws as much of it as it needs, up to or slightly greater than the rated output current capability of the charger.
The closer a battery is to zero capacity (dead battery), the more charging current it will want to draw. When
charging begins, on a dead battery, the charger's ammeter will register toward the high end of the scale and move
toward zero as the battery becomes more fully charged. Keep in mind, the ammeter registers the amount of
amperage being drawn from the charger by the battery, not what the charger is capable of delivering.
One would expect a battery to draw zero amps when it reaches 100% charge. But at 100% charge, the battery will
continue to draw a low level of current and convert it into heat within the battery. If left connected and charging
after reaching 100% charge, the battery acid will begin to boil, may produce acid vapor and get hot, resulting in
overcharging and possible battery damage.
Note: A slow, intermittent bubbling sound may be heard coming from the battery during the charging process. This
is a normal condition and just another indicator the battery is being charged.
To reduce the risk of battery overcharging, it is important to thoroughly read this instruction manual.

Deeply-Discharged Lead-Calcium Batteries

Many newer automotive batteries are of a lead-calcium plate design. When deeply discharged, they may require an
activation period before accepting a measurable charge. This activation period may take as long as 4 to 8 hours.
If, at the beginning of the charging process, you notice that the ammeter (if so equipped) is at or near zero, but you
have determined that the battery is very discharged (less than 25% of charge), this is a good indication that an
activation period is required (see Pre-Charge Battery Activation).

Spark Prevention

Make sure no sparks or flames occur near the battery, especially during charging. It takes very little to ignite the
explosive gasses produced by a lead-acid battery during the charging process. Read, understand and follow the
safety information provided in the Safety Summary section of this manual before attempting to work with or near a
lead-acid battery.
For more information about batteries and battery charging, contact Battery Council International at (312) 644-6610,
and request their Battery Service Manual, which is available for a nominal charge.
8

INTRODUCTION