5
CHARGER CONTROLS
The charger control is located on the front panel of the charger unit. See Figure 3.
• The sliding selector switch offers three Voltage/Charge Rates for charging various types of batteries.
• Select the correct switch position BEFORE connecting the charger to a battery or AC power source.
• Selections are made by sliding the switch into the correct position, corresponding with the type of battery
being charged, as follows:
FIGURE 3
S
ELECTOR
S
WITCH
P
OSITION
C
HARGING
R
ATE
LEFT
6 A
MP
/12 V
OLT
DC (L
ARGE
B
ATTERIES
)
CENTER
2 A
MP
/12 V
OLT
DC (S
MALL
B
ATTERIES
,
28 A
MP
H
OUR
OR
LESS
)
RIGHT
6 A
MP
/6 V
OLT
DC
(L
ARGE
B
ATTERIES
)
• Small 12 volt DC batteries such as those used in motorcycles, garden tractors, ATVs, jet skis, and
snowmobiles can be damaged by high rates of charge. ALWAYS select the 2 Amp/12 Volt setting
(CENTER switch position) to charge this type of battery and for a slower charging time on larger batteries.
WARNING:
If in doubt about battery size, charge at the 2 Amp rate. DO NOT overcharge batteries. ALWAYS ensure
that the selection corresponds to the voltage of the battery being charged.
AMMETER
The ammeter is the colored (red and green) chart on the front of the unit. It displays the current flowing from
the charger to the battery, in amperes. (See Figure 4.) The current when starting to charge a battery will
depend on the battery's percent of charge. The actual current will usually be lower than the current selected
on the charger's switch, unless the battery is severely discharged. As the battery charge level increases, the
current reduces.
The ammeter is intended to show how the charging process is proceeding. It should not be used to determine
the level of battery charge - this should be done using a hydrometer or voltmeter. If the battery vent caps are
not removable, then a voltmeter or load tester is used to determine the charge level of the battery.
FIGURE 4
Typically 12.6 VDC is considered a full charge on a 12 volt battery if the voltage is measured one hour after
the charger is disconnected. During charging, a nominal 12 volt battery can be 13.6 volts or somewhat
higher, so it needs to rest after charging to measure actual state of charge. For a 6 volt battery, full charge is
considered to be at 6.3 volts DC.
CIRCUIT BREAKER
This battery charger has an internal self-resetting circuit breaker that protects the charger from temporary
overloads. When it operates it makes a clicking sound. You will see the ammeter reduce to zero when the
breaker is open. After a cool-down period, the breaker will automatically close and the ammeter will show a
high rate of charge. If the breaker continues to cycle every few minutes, reduce charge rate or discontinue
charging.
6 Amp
12V
2 Amp
12V
6 Amp
6V
AMMETER
