3
D) CHARGING
Insert the mains plug into the mains supply (230 Volts AC only). Switch on. Your Battery
Charger should now be working and the rate of charge will be shown on the ammeter fitted
on the front of the charger. When a flat battery is initially connected to the Battery Charger
the charging rate should build up quickly. As the battery becomes more charged the rate of
charge will drop, this is normal. The charging current will never fall to zero as the charger
will continue to give a small output even when the battery is fully charged.
WARNING!
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE WITH THE CHARGER
CONNECTED. THIS MAY BLOW THE OUTPUT FUSE OR DAMAGE YOUR BATTERY
CHARGER.
A charging time of no more than 10 hours is recommended at no more than 10% of the
battery’s ampere hour capacity. i.e. 40 Ah battery should be charged at no more than 4
Amps. The battery charger is fitted with an internal, automatic thermal protection device, if
the charger overheats due to overload, environment or for any other reason, charging will be
interrupted, charging will restart automatically when the charger has cooled down.
Note: With a fully charged or faulty battery, virtually no charge may register on the ammeter.
E) ELECTROLYTE
Regularly check the specific gravity of the liquid, using a hydrometer, until a reading of “Fully
Charged” or 1,250 is reached.
F) WHEN CHARGING IS COMPLETE
For a battery still installed in the vehicle:
Disconnect the charger from the mains supply first, then remove the chassis connection.
Remove the battery connection last.
Otherwise: Disconnect the charger from the mains supply, then disconnect the crocodile
clips from the battery terminal posts, removing the negative (black clip) first.
Inspect the liquid levels in each cell and top up if necessary, using the correct fluid. Now
push home or tighten the caps. Any surplus fluid around the cell tops should be wiped off
(this should be done with extreme care as it is acidic).
If the battery has been removed for charging, replace it and re-connect the cables.
G) CAR BATTERY MAINTENANCE
It is essential to keep your battery regularly charged up throughout the year, especially
during the winter months. In the winter the effectiveness of your car battery is reduced by
the cold. Oil is thick, engines are difficult to start and the heater, windscreen wipers and
lights are all draining power. It is at this time that batteries have to be at peak power. If
your battery is not regularly maintained and kept fully charged, it can cause problems and a
possible breakdown.
H) FAULTY CELLS
Batteries are usually made with six cells. One of these cells can deteriorate or get
damaged. If after several hours charging your battery is still flat, you should test the battery.
Take hydrometer readings from each cell in the battery. If one reading is lower than the
others, this could indicate a faulty cell. The battery will require replacement if one or more
cells are faulty.