7
WORKING WITH A DEAD BATTERY OR A BATTERY WITH A VERY
LOW VOLTAGE:
If you try to charge a dead battery having a voltage below 3 volts, the
Battery Tender
®
charger will not start. An internal safety circuit prevents the
charger from generating any output voltage unless it senses at least 3 volts
at the charger output. In this situation, the
Charging Status/Error Light
Ring FLASHING Amber
, indicating that a charge has not been initiated.
NOTE:
If a 12-volt, lead-Acid battery has an output voltage of less than 9 volts
when it is at rest, when it is neither being charged nor supplying electrical
current to an external load, there is a good chance that the battery is
defective. As a frame of reference, a fully charged 12-volt, lead-Acid
battery will have a rest-state, no-load voltage of approximately 12.9 volts.
A fully discharged 12-volt, lead-acid battery will have a rest-state, no-load
voltage of approximately 11.4 volts. That means that a voltage change of
only 1.5 volts represents the full range of charge 0% to 100% on a 12-Volt,
lead-acid battery. Depending on the manufacturer, and the age of the
battery, the specific voltages will vary by a few tenths of a volt, but the 1.5-
volt range will still be a good indicator of the battery charge %.
CHARGING STATUS LED RING: If the lights are not lit, then the
battery is not properly connected and/or the charger is not plugged
into AC power
. The following describes LED’s and LIGHT RING
operation:
<
Charging Status/Error LED Ring ALTERNATING Amber/Green
Indicates the connection to the battery is reversed, meaning the
positive (RED) clamp is connected to the negative (BLACK) post
on the battery and the negative (BLACK) clamp is connected to the
positive (RED) post on the battery. Remove clamps and connect
correctly.
<
Safety Timer Error LED Ring Flashing RED
Indicates the battery you are charging as not reached its optimal
voltage in a set amount of time. This means the battery is probably
defective, or there is an excessive load on the battery. To start a
new charge cycle, unplug the charger from the AC and start again.
<
Charging Status/Error LED Ring FLASHING Amber
– This
indicates that the battery charger has AC power available and that
the microprocessor is functioning properly. If the Light Ring
continues to flash, then either the battery voltage is too low (less
than 3 volts) or the output alligator clips, or ring terminals are not
connected correctly.
Charging Status/Error LED Ring SOLID Amber
– Whenever the
Light Ring is on steady Amber, a battery is connected properly, and
the charger is charging the battery. The Light Ring will remain on
Solid Amber until the charger completes this charging stage.
8
Charging Status/Error LED Ring FLASHING Green
– When the
Light Ring is Flashing green the battery is greater than 80%
charged and may be removed from the charger and used if
necessary. Whenever possible, leave the battery on charge until
the green light is solid.
Charging Status/Error LED Ring SOLID Green
– When the Light
Ring is Solid green the charge is complete, and the battery can be
returned to service if necessary. It can also stay connected to
maintain the battery for an indefinite period of time.
TROUBLESHOOTING
1) If the charger does not turn on and none of the LEDs illuminate.
a. Check to make sure the AC outlet is supplying power by plugging
in a lamp, an appliance, or a voltage meter.
2) The green Solid Charging Status/Error Ring comes on immediately
when charging a discharged battery.
a. The battery is probably defective, take the battery to the dealer to
be tested.
3) When charging a battery, the Solid green Charging Status/Error Ring
never comes on.
a. The battery may be defective, take the battery to the dealer to be
tested.
b. The battery has an excessive current draw, remove or disconnect
the battery from the equipment.
4) Charging Status/Error Light Ring continues to flash Amber even with a
connection to the battery:
a. Check the fuse in the accessory cable.
5) Safety Timer Error LED Ring Flashing RED. To clear this error and
start a new charge cycle, disconnect from the AC and remove the
connection to the battery
.
a. The battery is damaged.
b. The chargers safety timer has activated due to the battery not
reaching its optimal voltage. The battery may be defective, take
the battery to the dealer to be tested.
6) Charging Status/Error Light Ring is toggling Amber and Green.
a. Reverse polarity connection to the battery.
