• 9 •
Gel – Set button to AGM. The Gel Cell is similar to the AGM style because the electrolyte is suspended,
but different because the AGM battery is still considered to be a wet cell. The electrolyte in a GEL cell has a
silica additive that causes it to set up or stiffen. The recharge voltages on this type of cell are lower than the
other styles of lead-acid battery. This is probably the most sensitive cell in terms of adverse reactions to over-
voltage charging. Gel batteries are best used in VERY DEEP cycle applications and may last a bit longer in
hot weather applications. If the incorrect battery charger is used on a Gel Cell battery, poor performance and
premature failure is certain.
LITH (Lithium Ion, LiFePO
4
only) – The LiFePO
4
(Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery is lithium-ion based and
offers good safety characteristics. The LiFePO
4
cell has a very constant discharge voltage. This allows the
cell to deliver virtually full power until it is discharged. Because of the nominal 3.2 VDC output, four cells can
be placed in series for a nominal voltage of 12.8 V. This comes close to the nominal voltage of six-cell lead-
acid batteries. This makes the LiFePO
4
a good replacement for lead-acid batteries in applications such as
automotive and solar. Like a gel cell, the LiFePO
4
cell is sensitive to overcharging.Its cells are balanced before
they are assembled, and an internal protection system is implemented, preventing too deep a discharge.
Recovery mode – For 12V non-lithium ion batteries only. This rate uses a unique recovery algorithm to recover
a sulfated battery. Scrolled display messages will be prefaced by RECOVERY MODE for the entire recovery/
charge/maintain cycle until this option is deselected by the user. The Minutes display will not be available.
11. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
OVERVIEW
Connect the battery, following the precautions listed under sections 6 and 7. Connect AC power and set
the front panel ON/OFF switch to the ON position. Select the appropriate Charge rate and Battery type
and press START to begin charging.
Whenever the unit has been off, AC power is reapplied for 30 seconds and START is not pressed, charging
will start automatically.
DISPLAY
Connecting the clamps to a battery will show the battery voltage, even if voltage was not previously selected.
Change the display setting by pressing the Display Mode Button (see Display Mode Button, in Section 10).
CHARGING
When charging begins, the yellow/orange Charging LED will be lit.
COMPLETION OF CHARGING
Charge completion is indicated by the green
Charged/Maintaining LED. When lit, the charger has
stopped charging and has switched to Maintain Mode of operation.
NOTE (DSR134 and SC1485): If you are using the FULL (240 minute charge) mode, when the minutes
display counts down to 0 minutes, or the battery becomes fully charged before this time, the charge cycle
will be complete. The green Charged/Maintaining LED will light, and the charger will go into Maintain mode.
The display will scroll: FULLY CHARGED– AUTO MAINTAINING for all display settings.
NOTE (DSR134 and SC1485): If you are using the FAST (35 minute charge) mode, when the minutes
display counts down to 0 minutes, the beeper will sound 4 times. However, the battery may not be fully
charged. If left connected, the charger will continue charging the battery until it is fully charged,and then go
into Maintain mode. The display will scroll: COMPLETED 35 MINUTES for all display settings, until fully
charged, when the display will scroll: FULLY CHARGED– AUTO MAINTAINING.
ABORTED CHARGE
If charging cannot be completed normally, charging will abort. When charging is aborted, the charger’s
output is shut off.The display will show CHARGE ABORTED – BAD BATTERY and an error code. See
section 15, Troubleshooting and Error Codes. To reset after an aborted charge, disconnect and reconnect
the battery, or turn the power off and then on.
RECOVERY MODE (Non-lithium ion batteries only)
If a battery is left discharged for an extended period of time, it could become sulfated and not accept a
normal charge. The charger will detect this and automatically enter Recovery mode. When this mode
is activated, scrolled messages will be prefaced with RECOVERING. After 10 minutes in this mode,
the prefaced message will change to BAD BATTERY RECOVERING. The display will revert to normal
operation when normal charging begins after the battery is recovered. Recovery Mode could take up to
10 hours. If it fails, charging will abort and the display will read CHARGE ABORTED – BAD BATTERY
F02. For more information, see section 15, Troubleshooting and Error Codes.
