Schumacher SC-300A User Manual

Battery
Charger
Model:

SC-300A
3 Amp Automatic Battery Charger
For 12-Volt Lead-Acid Batteries

Owner's Manual

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Important Safety Instructions

Read Rules for Safe Operation and Instructions Carefully

Working in 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 each time before using your charger, you
read this manual and follow the instructions exactly.

WARNING: Handling the cord on this product or cords associated with accessories sold with this product, will expose you to lead, a
chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

A. GENERAL BATTERY SAFETY

Wash hands after handling.

INTRODUCTION

Your battery charger has been designed to provide years of ser­vice. This instruction manual contains information on safety, op­eration, and maintenance of your new charger. Make sure that
you are familiar with this information before using the charger.

This battery charger is ideal for recharging batteries in snowmo­biles, ATVs, garden tractors and motorcycles. It also will warm
large batteries found in automobiles and marine applications.

1. Before you use your battery charger, be sure to read all
instructions written in the manual, on the charger and carton.

2. Do not expose to rain or snow.

3. The use of an attachment not recommended or sold by the
charger manufacturer may result in a risk of fire, electric
shock, or injury to persons.

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

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

a) the pins on plug of extension cord are the same number,

size and shape as those of plug on charger.

b) the extension cord is property wired and in good electrical

condition; and

c) the wire size is large enough for AC ampere rating of

charger as specified in the following chart.

6. Do not operate the charger with damaged cord or plug replace
them immediately.

7. Do not operate charger if it has received a sharp blow, been
dropped, or otherwise damaged in any way; take it to a
qualified service person.

8. Do not disassemble charger; take it to a qualified service
person when service or repair is necessary. Incorrect
assembly may result in a risk of electric shock or fire.

9. To reduce risk of electrical shock, unplug the charger from
outlet before attempting any maintenance or cleaning.

10. WARNING - RISK OF EXPLOSIVE GASES.

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 THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE THAT
EACH TIME BEFORE USING YOUR CHARGER; YOU READ
THIS MANUAL AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS
EXACTLY.

To reduce the risk of battery explosion, follow these
instructions and those published by the battery manufacturer.
Review the cautionary markings on the battery charger and
battery.

Length of cord (feet): 25 50 100 150

AWG size of cord: 18 18 16 14

SCHUMACHER ELECTRIC CORPORATION

801 BUSINESS CENTER DRIVE • MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS 60056-2179

Send Warranty Product Repairs to: 1025 E. Thompson, Hoopeston, IL 60942-0280

Call Customer Service if you have questions: 1-800-621-5485

00-99-000507/0205

B. PERSONAL PRECAUTIONS

1. Someone should be within range of your voice, or close
enough to come to your aid, when you work near a lead acid
battery.

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

3. Wear eye protection and clothing protection. Avoid touching
eyes while working near a battery.

4. If battery acid contacts skin or clothing, immediately wash
with soap and water. If acid enters eye, immediately flood
with running cold water for at least 15 minutes and get medical
attention immediately.

5. Never smoke or allow a spark or flame in the vicinity of battery
or engine.

6. Do not drop a metal tool onto the battery. It might spark or
short-circuit the battery or other electrical part that may cause
an explosion.

7. Remove personal metal items such as rings, bracelets,
necklaces and watches when working near a lead acid battery.

8. Use the charger for charging a lead-acid battery only. It is
not intended to supply power to a low-voltage electrical
system other than in an automotive application. Do not use
battery charger for charging dry cell batteries that are
commonly used with home appliances. These batteries may
burst and cause injury to persons or damage to property.

9. Never charge a frozen battery.

If necessary to remove battery from vehicle to charge, always
remove grounded terminal from the battery first. Make sure
all accessories in the vehicle are off, so as not to cause an
arc.

C. PREPARING TO CHARGE

1. Be sure area around the battery is well ventilated while battery
is being charged. Gas can be blown away by using a piece
of cardboard or other non-metallic material as a fan.

2. Add distilled water in each cell until battery acid reaches levels
specified by the battery manufacturer. This helps purge gas
from cells. Do not overfill. For a battery without cell caps,
carefully follow manufacturer’s instructions.

3. Study all battery manufacturer’s specific precautions such
as removing or not removing cell caps while charging and
recommended rates of charge.

4. Determine voltage of battery by referring to vehicle owner’s
manual.

DANGER - Never alter the AC plug provided - if it will not fit the
outlet, have a proper outlet installed by a qualified electrician.
Improper connection can result in the risk of electrical shock.

WARNING - Connect and disconnect the battery clamps only
when the AC power cord is disconnected or arcing may result.

CAUTION - Do not expose to rain; replace damaged cords or
wires immediately.

D. BATTERY CHARGER LOCATION

1. Locate charger as far away from battery as DC cables permit.

2. Never place charger directly above battery being charged.

3. Never allow battery acid to drip on charger when reading
specific gravity or filling battery.

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

5. Do not set battery on top of charger.

E. DC CONNECTION PRECAUTIONS

Connect and disconnect DC clamps only after removing charger AC power cord from the wall outlet. Do not permit clamps to touch each
other.

F. CHARGING BATTERY INSTALLED IN VEHICLE

Follow these steps when battery is installed in vehicle. A spark near battery may cause battery explosion. To reduce the risk of a

spark near the battery:

1. Position AC power cord and DC output cord to reduce risk of
damage by hood, door, or moving engine parts.

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

3. Check polarity of battery posts. Positive battery post is usually
larger diameter than the Negative post.

4. Determine which post of battery is grounded (connected) to
the chassis. If negative post is grounded to the chassis (as
in most cases), see Item 5. If Positive post is grounded to
the chassis, see Item 6.

5. For negative grounded vehicle, connect Positive clamp from
charger to Positive ungrounded post. Connect Negative

(Black) clamp to vehicle chassis or engine block away from
battery. Do not connect to carburetor, fuel lines or sheet metal
body parts. Connect to a heavy-gauge metal part of the frame
or engine block.

6. For positive-grounded vehicle, connect Negative (Black)
clamp from charger to ungrounded Negative (Black) post of
battery. Connect positive (Red) clamp to vehicle chassis or
engine block away from battery. Do not connect to carburetor,
fuel lines, or sheet metal body parts. Connect to a heavy­gauge metal part of the frame or engine block.

7. When disconnecting charger, disconnect at wall receptacle,
remove clamp from vehicle chassis and then remove clamp
from battery post.