4
Make sure that you only charge a battery with the same nominal voltage rating as the
charger. Charging a lower voltage battery will cause battery damage due to severe
overcharging. Charging a higher voltage battery may damage the charger due to
overheating.
These battery chargers are designed to ideally charge a battery at the C/10 rate (capacity
divided by 10 hours).Therefore, a 100 amp-hour battery would require a 10 Amp charge.
Larger or smaller capacity batteries can be charged with these chargers with the following
precautions (refer to these charger specifications and your battery documentation for proper
switch and charge currents to determine compatibility with this charger):
•
When charging a larger capacity battery, the battery may be overcharged due to the
unit not switching into float charge mode. Holding a battery for prolonged times at
the high rate charge voltage may damage the battery. Larger capacity batteries
really require a larger current charger or a float charger.
•
When charging a smaller capacity battery, the battery may be undercharged because
the charger switches into float charge mode too early (relative to capacity). Leave
the battery connected to the charger for several hours to finish charging in the float
charge mode.
Power-Sonic can calibrate units to exactly match your charging needs. Call our sales
department for technical information and pricing.
TROUBLESHOOTING
NO INDICATOR LIGHT
- If the indicator light is dark, check the fuse and replace if
necessary. If the fuse is good, check the voltage switch setting and input power (is the
receptacle controlled by a light switch?). If all else appears normal then the charger
probably needs repair.
NO CHARGE INDICATOR, NOT CHARGING
- If the charger will not go into charge mode
(yellow indicator) then the battery is probably already charged. Try again with another
battery which you know is not charged.
FAULT INDICATOR
- If the indicator light is red then either the outputs are hooked up in
reverse or shorted together. Make sure of the connection to the battery. Note: A nearly
completely dead battery (less than one volt) looks like a short to the charger. If you suspect
the battery is dead, leave the charger on the battery to see if it will go into charge mode.
The charger will deliver a small amount of current into a dead battery and may eventually
go into normal charge mode and recover the battery. If the charger will not go into charge
mode within one hour, and then into float mode within 24 hours, the battery is probably
damaged beyond recovery.
CHARGER WILL NOT SWITCH INTO FLOAT MODE
- If the charger will not switch into
the float mode, after 24 hours, then the battery is probably damaged and is not properly
accepting the charge. Check the open circuit voltage of the battery to see if it has any
shorted cells - there should be about 2.15 V/cell for a properly charged battery (divide the
battery voltage by two to get the number of cells). If the battery voltage looks correct then
you may be trying to charge a battery which has too large a capacity for the charger (see
charging notes and tips).
MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
FUSE REPLACEMENT - The AC input module contains the main fuse and a spare fuse. Detach
the power cord. Use a flat head screwdriver or a coin to pry open the fuse drawer or holder.
Replace the blown fuse with the spare. You can use the old fuse to push out the spare fuse.
Now is a good time to install a new spare fuse. Replace fuses only with the same type (as
indicated in this manual) and value (as indicated on the charger).
