Schumacher Automatic SP1 User Manual

OWNER’S MANUAL

Manual del usuario

Model / Modelo: SP1

Automatic Battery Charger

Cargador de batería automático

Voltage / Tensión: 6, 12

Amperage / Amperaje: 2

DO NOT RETURN THIS PRODUCT

TO THE STORE!

Call Customer Service for Assistance: 800-621-5485

¡NO LO DEVUELVA este producto A LA TIENDA!

Llame a Servicios al Cliente para Asistencia: 800-621-5485

READ THE ENTIRE MANUAL BEFORE USING THIS PRODUCT. FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

ADVERTENCIA LEA EL MANUAL COMPLETO ANTES DE UTILIZAR ESTE PRODUCTO. CUALQUIER FALLA PODRÍA RESULTAR EN SERIAS LESIONES O PODRÍA SER MORTAL.

0099001148-00

IMPORTANT: READ AND SAVE THIS SAFETY AND INSTRUCTION MANUAL.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS – This manual will show you how to use your charger safely and effectively. Please read, understand and follow these instructions and precautions carefully, as this manual contains important safety and operating instructions. The safety messages used throughout this manual contain a signal word, a message and an icon.

The signal word indicates the level of the hazard in a situation.

Indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury to the

operator or bystanders.

Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury to the

operator or bystanders.

Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in moderate or minor injury to the

operator or bystanders.

Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in damage to the equipment or

vehicle or property damage.

Safety messages in this manual contain two different type styles.

•Unnumbered type states the hazard.

•Numbered type states how to avoid the hazard.

The icon gives a graphical description of the potential hazard.

Pursuant to California Proposition 65, this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

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1.IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS - SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS -This manual contains important safety and operating instructions

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK OR FIRE.

1.1Keep out of reach of children.

1.2Do not expose the charger to rain or snow.

1.3Use only recommended attachments. Use of an attachment not

recommended or sold by Schumacher® Electric Corporation may result in a risk of fire, electric shock or injury to persons or damage to property.

1.4To reduce the risk of damage to the electric plug or cord, pull by the plug rather than the cord when disconnecting the charger.

1.5An extension cord should not be used unless absolutely necessary. Use of an improper extension cord could result in a risk of fire and electric shock. If an extension cord must be used, make sure:

•That the pins on the plug of the extension cord are the same number, size and shape as those of the plug on the charger.

•That the extension cord is properly wired and in good electrical condition.

•That the wire size is large enough for the AC ampere rating of the charger as specified in section 8.

1.6To reduce the risk of electric shock, unplug the charger from the outlet before attempting any maintenance or cleaning. Simply turning off the controls will not reduce this risk.

1.7Do not operate the charger with a damaged cord or plug; have the cord or plug replaced immediately by a qualified service person.

(Call customer service at: 1-800-621-5485.)

1.8Do not operate the charger if it has received a sharp blow, been dropped or otherwise damaged in any way; take it to a qualified service person. (Call customer service at: 1-800-621-5485.)

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1.9Do not disassemble the charger; take it to a qualified service person when service or repair is required. Incorrect reassembly may result in a risk of fire or electric shock. (Call customer service at: 1-800-621-5485.)

RISK OF EXPLOSIVE GASES.

1.10 WORKING IN THE VICINITY OF A LEAD-

ACID BATTERY IS DANGEROUS. BATTERIES GENERATE EXPLOSIVE GASES DURING NORMAL BATTERY OPERATION. FOR THIS REASON, IT IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE THAT YOU FOLLOW THE

INSTRUCTIONS EACH TIME YOU USE THE CHARGER.

1.11To reduce the risk of a battery explosion, follow these instructions and those published by the battery manufacturer and the manufacturer of any equipment you intend to use in the vicinity of the battery. Review the cautionary markings on these products and on the engine.

1.12This charger employs parts, such as switches and circuit breakers, that tend to produce arcs and sparks. If used in a garage, locate this charger 18 inches (46 cm) or more above floor level.

2. PERSONAL PRECAUTIONS

RISK OF EXPLOSIVE GASES.

2.1NEVER smoke or allow a spark or flame in the vicinity of a battery or engine.

2.2Remove 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.

2.3Be extra cautious to reduce the risk of dropping a metal tool onto the battery. It might spark or short-circuit the battery or other electrical part that may cause an explosion.

2.4Use this charger for charging LEAD-ACID batteries only. It is not intended to supply power to a low voltage electrical system other than in a starter-motor application. Do not use this battery charger for charging dry-cell batteries that are commonly used with

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home appliances. These batteries may burst and cause injury to persons and damage to property.

2.5NEVER charge a frozen battery.

2.6NEVER overcharge a battery.

2.7Consider having someone close enough by to come to your aid when you work near a lead-acid battery.

2.8Have plenty of fresh water and soap nearby in case battery acid contacts your skin, clothing or eyes.

2.9Wear complete eye and body protection, including safety goggles and protective clothing. Avoid touching your eyes while working near the battery.

2.10If battery acid contacts your skin or clothing, immediately wash the area with soap and water. If acid enters your eye, immediately flood the eye with cold running water for at least 10 minutes and get medical attention right away.

2.11If battery acid is accidentally swallowed, drink milk, the whites of eggs or water. DO NOT induce vomiting. Seek medical attention immediately.

3. PREPARING TO CHARGE

RISK OF CONTACT WITH BATTERY ACID. BATTERY ACID IS A HIGHLY CORROSIVE SULFURIC ACID.

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.

3.2Be sure the area around the battery is well ventilated while the battery is being charged.

3.3Clean 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 the battery acid and help eliminate airborne corrosion. Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth.

3.4Add distilled water to each cell until the battery acid reaches the level specified by the battery manufacturer. Do not overfill. For

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a battery without removable cell caps, such as valve regulated lead acid batteries (VRLA), carefully follow the manufacturer’s recharging instructions.

3.5Read, 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.

3.6Determine the voltage of the battery by referring to the vehicle owner’s manual and make sure that the output voltage is correct.

3.7Make sure that the charger cable clips make tight connections.

4. CHARGER LOCATION

RISK OF EXPLOSION AND CONTACT WITH BATTERY ACID.

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.

4.3Do not set the battery on top of the charger.

4.4Never allow battery acid to drip onto the charger when reading the electrolyte specific gravity or filling the battery.

4.5Do not operate the charger in a closed-in area or restrict the ventilation in any way.

5. DC CONNECTION PRECAUTIONS

5.1Connect and disconnect the DC output clips only after setting all of the charger switches to the “off” position (if applicable) and removing the AC plug from the electrical outlet. Never allow the clips to touch each other.

5.2Attach the clips to the battery and chassis, as indicated in sections 6 and 7.

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6.FOLLOW THESE STEPS WHEN BATTERY IS INSTALLED IN VEHICLE

A SPARK NEAR THE

BATTERY MAY CAUSE A

BATTERY EXPLOSION.

TO REDUCE THE RISK

OF A SPARK NEAR THE

BATTERY:

6.1Position the AC and DC cables to reduce the risk of damage by the hood, door and moving or hot engine parts. NOTE: If it is necessary to close the hood during the charging process, ensure that the hood does not touch the metal part of the battery clips or cut the insulation of the cables.

6.2Stay clear of fan blades, belts, pulleys and other parts that can cause injury.

6.3Check the polarity of the battery posts. The POSITIVE (POS, P, +) battery post usually has a larger diameter then the NEGATIVE (NEG, N, -) post.

6.4Determine 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.

6.5For a negative-grounded vehicle, connect the POSITIVE (RED) clip from the battery charger to the POSITIVE (POS, P, +) ungrounded post of the battery. Connect the NEGATIVE (BLACK) clip to the vehicle chassis or engine block away from the battery. Do not connect the clip to the carburetor, fuel lines or sheet-metal body parts. Connect to a heavy gauge metal part of the frame or engine block.

6.6For a positive-grounded vehicle, connect the NEGATIVE (BLACK) clip from the battery charger to the NEGATIVE (NEG, N, -) ungrounded post of the battery. Connect the POSITIVE (RED) clip to the vehicle chassis or engine block away from the battery. Do not connect the clip to the carburetor, fuel lines or sheet-metal body parts. Connect to a heavy gauge metal part of the frame or engine block.

6.7Connect charger AC supply cord to electrical outlet.

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6.8When disconnecting the charger, turn all switches to off (if applicable), disconnect the AC cord, remove the clip from the vehicle chassis and then remove the clip from the battery terminal.

6.9See CALCULATING CHARGE TIME for length of charge information.

7.FOLLOW THESE STEPS WHEN BATTERY IS OUTSIDE VEHICLE

A SPARK NEAR THE

BATTERY MAY CAUSE A

BATTERY EXPLOSION.

TO REDUCE THE RISK

OF A SPARK NEAR THE

BATTERY:

7.1Check the polarity of the battery posts. The POSITIVE (POS, P, +) battery post usually has a larger diameter than the NEGATIVE (NEG, N, -) post.

7.2Attach at least a 24-inch (61 cm) long 6-gauge (AWG) insulated battery cable to the NEGATIVE (NEG, N, -) battery post.

7.3Connect the POSITIVE (RED) charger clip to the POSITIVE (POS, P, +) post of the battery.

7.4Position yourself and the free end of the cable you previously attached to the NEGATIVE (NEG, N, -) battery post as far away from the battery as possible – then connect the NEGATIVE (BLACK) charger clip to the free end of the cable.

7.5Connect charger AC supply cord to electrical outlet.

7.6When disconnecting the charger, always do so in the reverse order of the connecting procedure and break the first connection while as far away from the battery as practical.

7.7A marine (boat) battery must be removed and charged on shore. To charge it onboard requires equipment specially designed for marine use.

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8. grounding and ac power cord connections

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK OR FIRE.

8.1 This battery charger is for use on a nominal 120-volt circuit. The plug must be plugged into an outlet that is properly installed and grounded in accordance with all local codes and ordinances. The

plug pins must fit the receptacle (outlet). Do not use with an ungrounded system.

8.2 Never alter the AC cord or plug provided – if it does not fit the outlet, have a proper grounded outlet installed by a qualified electrician. An improper connection can result in a risk of an electric shock or electrocution. NOTE: Pursuant to Canadian Regulations, use of an adapter plug is not allowed in Canada. Use of an adapter plug in the United States is not recommended and should not be used.

8.3Recommended minimum AWG size for extension cord:

•100 feet (30.5 meters) long or less - use an 18 gauge (0.82 mm2) extension cord.

•Over 100 feet (30.5 meters) long - use a 16 gauge (1.31 mm2) extension cord.

9. FEATURES

1		1.	Battery Status LED’s
		2.	12V Plug Cable
			Assembly
		3.	Ring Terminal Cable
			Assembly
		4.	Battery Clip Cable
			Assembly
	2	5.	Charger Quick-
			Connect Cable

5

3

4

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10. ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

Remove all cord wraps and uncoil the cables prior to using the battery charger.

11. CONTROL PANEL LED Indicators

AC POWER (red) LED lit: Indicates that there is AC power supplied to the battery charger.

CHARGING (yellow) LED lit: Indicates the charger has detected a battery and is charging it.

CHARGING (yellow) LED flashing: Indicates the charger is in abort mode.

CHARGED (green) LED lit: Indicates the battery is fully charged and the charger is in maintain mode.

CHARGED (green) LED flashing: Indicates the battery is 80% charged.

NOTE: See the Operating Instructions section for a complete description of the charger modes.

12. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

This battery charger must be properly assembled in accordance with the assembly instructions before it is used.

Charging

1.Ensure that all of the charger components are in place and in good working condition, for example, the plastic boots on the battery clips.

2.Connect the battery following the precautions listed in sections

6and 7.

3.Connect the AC power following the precautions listed in section

8.Make sure to place the charger on a dry, non-flammable surface like metal or concrete.

4.To disconnect, reverse the procedure.

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NOTE: This charger is equipped with an auto-start feature. Current will not be supplied to the battery clips until a battery is properly connected. Meaning, the clips will not spark if touched together.

Using The Quick-Disconnect Cable Connectors

Connect any of the three output cable assemblies to the charger.

Make sure to place the charger on a dry, non-flammable surface like metal or concrete.

NOTE: Never connect the clamp and ring terminal connectors together for use in other applications, such as external battery or other power source charging, or to extend the output cable length, as reverse polarity and/or overcharge conditions will occur.

50 Amp Battery Clips

1.Connect the end of the charger output cable to the end of the 50 Amp Battery clips cable.

2.Follow the steps in sections 6 and 7 to connect the output clips to the battery.

3.After a good electrical connection is made to the battery, plug the power cord into a grounded 120V AC electrical wall outlet.

Permanent Ring Connectors

1.To permanently attach to a battery, loosen and remove each nut from the bolt at the battery terminal.

2.Connect the red POSITIVE connector ring to the POSITIVE battery terminal.

3.Connect the black NEGATIVE connector ring to the NEGATIVE battery terminal.

4.Replace and tighten the nuts to secure.

5.Connect the cable to the end of the charger output cord. Take care to keep the wires and plug away from metal and moving parts.

6.Plug the charger power cord into a grounded 120V AC electrical wall outlet.

12V Accessory Plug

1.Connect the end of the 12V Accessory Plug Cable QuickConnect to the charger.

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2.Insert the 12V accessory plug into the 12V accessory outlet.

3.Route the power cord from the charger through the vehicle’s open window.

4.Plug the charger power cord into a grounded 120V AC electrical wall outlet.

Automatic Charging Mode

When an Automatic Charge is performed, the charger switches to the Maintain Mode (see below) automatically after the battery is charged. For a battery with a starting voltage under 0.2 volts, use a manual charger to pre-charge the battery for five minutes to get additional voltage into the battery.

Aborted Charge

If charging cannot be completed normally, charging will abort. When charging aborts, the charger’s output is shut off and the CHARGING LED will blink. To reset after an aborted charge, unplug the charger from the AC outlet, wait a few moments and plug it back in.

Desulfation Mode

Desulfation could take 8 to 10 hours. If desulfation fails, charging will abort and the CHARGING LED will blink.

Completion of Charge

Charge completion is indicated by the CHARGED LED. When lit, the charger has switched to the Maintain Mode of operation.

Maintain Mode (Float-Mode Monitoring)

When the CHARGED LED is lit, the charger has started Maintain Mode. In this mode, the charger keeps the battery fully charged by delivering a small current when necessary. If the charger has to provide its maximum maintain current for a continuous 12 hour

period, it will go into Abort Mode (see Aborted Charge section). This is usually caused by a drain on the battery or the battery could be bad. Make sure there are no loads on the battery. If there are, remove them. If there are none, have the battery checked or replaced.

Maintaining a Battery

The Schumacher SP1 is a battery maintainer that maintains both 6 and 12 volt batteries, keeping them at full charge. It can charge

small batteries and maintain both small and large batteries. If you are maintaining a fully charged large battery, you will be properly utilizing the battery charger. However, if you were to use this battery charger

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to charge a large battery, such as a marine deep cycle battery, that was not fully charged, you may lose some of the battery’s capacity. This would cause the large battery to be unable to hold a charge and become useless. Therefore, we do not recommend charging a large battery with this unit.

NOTE: The maintain mode technology utilized in Schumacher maintainers allows you to safely charge and maintain a healthy battery for extended periods of time. However, problems with the battery, electrical problems in the vehicle, improper connections or other unanticipated conditions could cause excessive current draws. As such, occasionally monitoring your battery and the charging process is recommended.

	Battery Condition
2 Amp, 12 Volt Battery	50% Discharged	100% Discharged
Ampere Hour Battery	Approximate Average Charge Time in
Capacity	Hours
10	3.2	6.2
12	4.0	7.5
20	6.4	12.4

13. CALCULATING CHARGE TIME

Use the following tables to more accurately determine the time it will take to bring a battery to full charge.

14. MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS

14.1After use and before performing maintenance, unplug and disconnect the battery charger (see sections 6, 7 and 8).

14.2Use a dry cloth to wipe all battery corrosion and other dirt or oil from the battery clips, cords, and the charger case.

14.3Ensure that all of the charger components are in place and in good working condition, for example, the plastic boots on the battery clips.

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