- 5 -
cable.
5. OPERATION DURING CHARGING
NB: Before charging check that the capacity of the battery (Ah)
which is to be charged, is not inferior to that reported on the
data table of the battery charger (C min). Follow the instructions,
taking great care to respect the order given below.
5.1 BATTERY PREPARATION
When recharging a WET-type battery, proceed as follows:
- Remove the caps of the battery charger (if foreseen) so as to let the
gas produced go out. Check that the level of the electrolyte covers
the plates of the battery. If these were not covered add distilled
water and cover them up to 5-10 mm.
WARNING: USE THE MAXIMUM CAUTION DURING
THIS OPERATION AS THE ELECTROLYTE IS A HIGHLY
CORROSIVE ACID.
5.2 BATTERY CHARGER/BATTERY CONNECTION
- Make sure the power cable is disconnected from the mains.
- With models having more than one charge voltage, turn the
deviator or the switch to the selected charge voltage. If there is
no deviator or switch, suitably connect the red crocodile clip (+
symbol) to the specific battery charger terminal in correspondence
with the selected charge voltage.
- Connect the red charge clamp to the positive terminal of the battery
( + symbol). If the symbols are indistinguishable remember that the
positive terminal is the one not connected to the vehicle chassis.
- Connect the black charge clamp to the vehicle chassis, at a safe
distance from the battery and the fuel pipe.
NOTE:
if the battery is not installed in the vehicle, connect the clamp
directly to the negative terminal of the battery (- symbol).
5.3 MANUAL CHARGE AND AUTOMATIC CHARGE MODES
5.3.1 MANUAL CHARGE (CHARGE) MODE
Mode recommended for free electrolyte lead batteries (WET).
- Follow the instructions provided in paragraphs 5.1 and 5.2 carefully.
- Turn the switch seen in figure B-1 to the CHARGE position and set
the desired charge level using the switch seen in figure B-2.
- Power the battery charger by inserting the power cable into the
mains and pressing the switch to ON (if available).
- Monitor the charge indicator as described in paragraph 3.1.
NOTE:
When the WET battery is charged, you will also notice the
liquid start to “boil”. It is recommended to interrupt the charging as
soon as this happens to prevent damage to the battery.
5.3.2 AUTOMATIC CHARGE (TRONIC) MODE
The models that operate in TRONIC mode are recommended for
charging sealed batteries (GEL, AGM).
- Follow the instructions provided in paragraphs 5.1 and 5.2 carefully.
- Turn the switch seen in figure B-2 to TRONIC and set the desired
charge level using the switch seen in figure B-2.
- Power the battery charger by inserting the power cable into the
mains. The battery charger controls the voltage present at the
battery ends and automatically disconnects the current supply
when the battery is charged (green charge LED) and connects
it again automatically when the battery starts to run down. The
TRONIC function is ideal for keeping batteries (AGM and WET)
automatically charged over time with no risk of damage.
5.4 SIMULTANEOUS CHARGING OF MULTIPLE BATTERIES
WARNING:
do not simultaneously charge batteries of different
capacities, discharges or types. When simultaneous charging is
required, it is possible to use “series” or “parallel” connections (FIG.
D).
For “parallel” connections the batteries must have the same rated
voltage (Volt), corresponding to that supplied by the battery charger
and the total of the Ah must fall within the charge range of the battery
charger.
For “series” connections the batteries must have the same capacity
(Ah), and the total of the rated voltage of all the batteries must
correspond to the output rated voltage supplied by the battery
charger.
5.5 CHARGE ENDING
- Disconnect the power to the battery charger moving the switch to
OFF (if available) and remove the power cable from the mains.
- Disconnect the black charge clamp from the vehicle chassis or
from the negative battery terminal (symbol -)
- Disconnect the red charging clamp from the positive battery
terminal (+ symbol).
- Return the battery charger to a dry place.
- Close the battery cells again, using the relative caps (if present).
6. VEHICLE STARTING OPERATION
WARNING: Before proceeding, read the vehicle manufacturers
instructions carefully!
- Make sure the power line is protected by fuses or automatic
circuit-breakers with sizes as indicated on the rating plate by the (
) symbol.
- To make the starting process easier, charge the battery for 10-15
minutes at maximum level before starting.
- In order to prevent overheating in the battery charger, ALWAYS
carry out the starting operation according to the work/pause (on-
off) cycles as indicated on the appliance (e.g. START 3s ON 120s
OFF-5 CYCLES). Do not insist if the engine does not start: this
could cause serious damage to the battery or even to the electrical
equipment in the vehicle. If the engine does not start, do not insist,
but wait a few minutes and then repeat the rapid charge operation.
6.1 BATTERY CHARGER/BATTERY CONNECTION
- With the power cord disconnected from the mains, connect the
battery charger clamps as described in paragraph 5.2.
- Make sure the battery is connected properly to the respective (+
and -) terminals, and that it is in good condition (not sulphated or
dead). Never ever start vehicles with the batteries disconnected
from their respective terminals; the presence of the battery is
essential for the elimination of possible overvoltage.
6.2 STARTING WITH START
- With the battery charger switched OFF, plug the power cable into
the mains.
- Press the switch to ON, if available.
- Turn the switch to START and turn the vehicle ignition key to start
the engine.
6.3 END OF STARTING
- Disconnect the power to the battery charger by turning the switch
(if present) to OFF and remove the power cable from the mains.
- Disconnect the black crocodile clip from the negative battery
terminal (- symbol) and the red crocodile clip from the positive
battery terminal (+ symbol).
- Store the battery charger in a dry place.
7. BATTERY CHARGER PROTECTION
The battery charger protects itself from:
- Overcharge (too much current supplied to the battery).
- Short-circuit (loading clips placed in contact with each other).
- Polarity inversion on the battery clamps.
For appliances fitted with fuses, if the fuses have to be replaced
always use the same kind of fuse with the same rated size.
WARNING:
If the replacement fuse has a different size from that
shown on the rating plate it could cause damage to people or
property. For the same reason, never ever replace the fuse with a
bridge in copper or other material.
The power supply cable should always be DISCONNECTED from the
mains supply while the fuse is being changed.
8. USEFUL ADVICE
- If the positive and negative terminals are incrusted with oxide,
clean them to ensure good contacts with the clamps.
- Never ever allow the two clamps to come into contact when the
battery charger is connected to the mains. In this case the fuse will
blow.
- If the battery, to which this battery charger is to be connected,
is permanently installed in the vehicle, also consult the vehicle
manufacturer’s user’s and maintenance handbook under the
“ELECTRICAL SYSTEM” or “MAINTENANCE” section.
