•
3
•
2.7
Remove personal metal items such as rings, bracelets, necklaces and watches when
working with a lead-acid battery. A lead-acid battery can produce a short-circuit current
high enough to weld a ring or the like to metal, causing a severe burn.
2.8
Use this charger for charging a LEAD-ACID battery only. It is not intended to supply
power to a low voltage electrical system. Do not use this battery charger for charging dry-
cell batteries that are commonly used with home appliances. These batteries may burst
and cause injury to persons and damage to property.
2.9
NEVER charge a frozen battery.
2.10
NEVER overcharge a battery.
3. PREPARING TO CHARGE
3.1
If it is necessary to remove the battery from the vehicle to charge it, always remove
the grounded terminal first. Make sure all of the accessories in the vehicle are off, to
prevent arcing.
3.2
Be sure the area around the battery is well ventilated while the battery is being charged.
3.3
Clean the battery terminals before charging the battery. During cleaning, keep airborne
corrosion from coming into contact with your eyes, nose and mouth. Use baking soda and
water to neutralize battery acid and help eliminate airborne corrosion. Do not touch your
eyes, nose or mouth.
3.4
Add distilled water to each cell until the battery acid reaches the level specified by the battery
manufacturer. Do not overfill. For a battery without removable cell caps, such as valve
regulated lead-acid-batteries, carefully follow the manufacturer’s recharging instructions.
3.5
Read, understand and follow all instructions for the charger, battery, vehicle and any
equipment used near the battery and charger. Study all of the battery manufacturer’s
specific precautions while charging and recommended rates of charge.
3.6
Determine the voltage of the battery by referring to the vehicle owner’s manual and make
sure that the output voltage selector switch is set to the correct voltage. If the charger has
an adjustable charge rate, charge the battery in the lowest rate first.
3.7
Make sure that the charger cable clips make tight connections.
4. CHARGER LOCATION
4.1
Locate the charger as far away from the battery as the DC cables permit.
4.2
Never place the charger directly above the battery being charged; gases from the battery
will corrode and damage the charger.
4.3
Do not set the battery on top of the charger.
4.4
Never allow battery acid to drip onto the charger when reading the electrolyte specific
gravity or filling the battery.
4.5
Do not operate the charger in a closed-in area or restrict the ventilation in any way.
5. DC CONNECTION PRECAUTIONS
5.1
Connect and disconnect the DC output clips only after turning the charger off and
removing the AC plug from the electrical outlet. Never allow the clips to touch each other.
5.2
Attach the clips to the battery and chassis, as indicated in steps 6.5, 6.6 and 7.2 through 7.4.
6. FOLLOW THESE STEPS WHEN BATTERY IS INSTALLED IN VEHICLE.
WARNING: A SPARK NEAR THE BATTERY MAY CAUSE A BATTERY EXPLOSION.
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF A SPARK NEAR THE BATTERY:
6.1
Position the AC and DC cables to reduce the risk of damage by the hood, door and
moving or hot engine parts.
6.2
Stay clear of fan blades, belts, pulleys and other parts that can cause injury.
6.3
Check the polarity of the battery posts. The POSITIVE (POS, P, +) battery post usually
has a larger diameter then the NEGATIVE (NEG, N, -) post.
6.4
Determine which post of the battery is grounded (connected) to the chassis. If the
negative post is grounded to the chassis (as in most vehicles), see step 6.5. If the positive
post is grounded to the chassis, see step 6.6.
