Schumacher SE 3612 User Manual

OWNER'S MANUAL

Read Rules for

Safe Operation

MODEL
SE 3612

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.

and Instructions

Carefully

A

1. Before you use your battery charger, be sure to read all
instructions and cautions printed on:

• Battery Charger

• Battery

• Vehicle or unit using battery

2. Use battery charger on LEAD ACID type rechargeable bat­teries only, such as used in autos, trucks, tractors, airplanes,
vans, RV's, trolling motors, etc. Charger is not intended to
supply power to low-voltage electrical system other than in
an automotive application.
WARNING: Do not use battery charger for charging dry­cell batteries that are commonly used with home appliances.
These batteries may burst and cause injury to persons and
damage to property.

3. Use only attachments recommended or sold by manufac­turer. Use of non-recommended attachments may result in
fire, electric shock, or injury.

4. When disconnecting the battery charger, pull by the plug
not by the cord. Pulling on the cord may cause damage to
cord or plug.

5. Locate battery power cord so it cannot be stepped on,
tripped over, or subjected to damage or stress.

6. Do not operate charger with damaged cord or plug. Have
cord replaced 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 professional for inspection and repair.

8. Do not disassemble charger. Take it to a qualified profes­sional when service or repair is required. Incorrect reas­sembly may result in electric shock or fire.

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

GENERAL BATTERY SAFETY

10. Do not use an extension cord unless absolutely necessary.
Use of an improper extension cord could result in fire or
electric shock. If an extension cord must be used, make
sure that:

• Pins on plug of extension cord are the same number, size,

and shape as those of the plug on the charger.

• Extension cord is properly wired and in good electrical

condition.

• Wire size is large enough for AC ampere rating of charger,

as specified below:

_____________________________________________

Length of cord (feet): 25 50 100 150
AWG size of cord: 16 12 10 8

(American Wire Gauge)

_____________________________________________

11. Always charge battery in a well ventilated area.
NEVER operate in a closed-in or restricted area without
adequate ventilation because of risk of explosive gases.
WARNING: Risk of explosive gas.

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

13. Do not expose charger to rain or snow.

14. NEVER charge a frozen battery. If battery fluid (electrolyte)
is frozen, bring into a warm area to thaw before charging.

15. NEVER allow battery acid to drip on charger when reading
specific gravity or filling battery.

16. NEVER set a battery on top of charger.

17. NEVER place charger directly above battery being charged.
Gases from battery will corrode and damage charger.

18. NEVER touch the battery clips together when the charger
is energized.

Sch487

• IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS •

• SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS •

ELECTRIC CORPORATION

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

Send Warranty Product Repairs to: P.O. Box 280 • 1025 East Thompson Avenue, Hoopeston, IL 60942

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

487-699

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B.

PERSONAL PRECAUTIONS AND SAFETY

1. WARNING: Wear complete eye protection and clothing
protection, when working with lead-acid batteries.

2. Make sure someone is within range of your voice or close
enough to come to your aid when you work with or near a
lead-acid battery.

3. Have plenty of fresh water and soap nearby for use if battery
acid contacts skin, clothing, or eyes. If battery acid contacts
skin or clothing, wash immediately with soap and water.

4. Avoid touching your eyes while working with a battery. Acid
particles (corrosion) may get into your eyes! If acid enters
your eye, immediately flood eye with running cold water for
at least 10 minutes. Get medical attention immediately.

5. Remove all personal metal items such as rings, bracelets,

C.

Charger should be grounded to reduce the risk of electric shock.
Charger is equipped with an electric cord having an equipment grounding
conductor and a grounding plug. The plug must be plugged into an outlet
that is properly installed and grounded in accordance with all local codes
and ordinances. This battery charger is designed for use on a nominal 120
volt circuit and has a grounded plug that looks like the plug illustrated in
FIGURE 1 (A). This plug should be used in a grounded outlet. The plug
pins must fit the receptacle (outlet).
ADAPTER: A temporary adapter, as shown in FIGURE 1 (B) and (C), may
be used to connect the charger plug to a two pole receptacle (outlet), as
shown in FIGURE 1 (B).

GROUND AND AC POWER CORD CONNECTIONS

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.

6. Take care not to drop a metal tool or other metal onto the
battery. Metal may cause sparking or short circuit the battery
or another electrical devise. Sparking may cause an
explosion.

7. Always operate battery charger in an open well ventilated
area.

8. NEVER smoke or allow a spark or flame in the vicinity of
the battery or engine. Batteries generate explosive gases!

GROUNDING

SCREW

NOTE: The temporary adapter should be used only until a properly grounded
outlet can be installed by a qualified electrician.

DANGER: Never alter the AC cord or plug provided. If it will not fit outlet, have a proper outlet installed by a qualified electrician. Improper connection can result
in a risk of an electrical shock. DANGER: Before using an adapter, as illustrated, be certain that the center screw of the outlet plate is grounded. The green-colored
rigid ear or lug extending from the adapter must be connected to a properly grounded outlet. Make certain it is grounded. If necessary, replace original outlet cover
plate screw with a longer screw that will secure adapter ear or lug to outlet cover plate and make ground connection to grounded outlet.

ADAPTER PLUG NOT ALLOWED IN CANADA

D.

1. Make sure you have a 12 volt or a 6 volt lead-acid battery
and select battery charger switch accordingly.

2. Clean battery terminals. Take care to keep corrosion from
coming in contact with your eyes.

3. If required, add distilled water in each cell until battery acid
reaches levels specified by battery manufacturer. This helps
purge excessive gas from cells. Do not overfill. For a bat­tery without cell caps, carefully follow manufacturer's re­charging instructions.

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

E.

CHARGER LOCATION PRECAUTIONS

PREPARING TO CHARGE

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

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

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

FIGURE 1 GROUNDING METHODS

Never place charger directly above the battery being charged,

gases from battery could damage the charger.

Never allow battery acid to drip on the charger when reading
specific gravity of filling battery.

Sch487

Never operate charger in a closed in area, or restrict ventila­tion in any way.

Do not set battery on top of the charger.

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F.

When charging battery in the vehicle, take care to determine the battery type and which post is grounded. To reduce risk of a spark
near battery, follow these steps when battery is installed in vehicle. WARNING: A spark near battery may cause battery explosion.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS: CHARGING BATTERY IN VEHICLE

1. Position AC power cord and DC charging cords 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.

3. Check polarity of battery posts. Battery case will be marked
by each post: POSITIVE (POS, P, +) and NEGATIVE (NEG,
N, -). NOTE: The positive battery post usually has a larger
diameter than the negative post.

4. Determine which post of battery is ground (connected) to
chassis.

NOTE: The negative post is normally grounded.

NEGATIVE GROUNDED POST

5A. For negative-grounded vehicle, connect POSITIVE (RED)
clip from battery charger to POSITIVE (POS, P, +) ungrounded
post of battery. Connect NEGATIVE (BLACK) clip to vehicle
chassis or engine block away from battery. Connect to a heavy
gauge metal part of the frame or engine block.

POSITIVE GROUNDED POST

5B. For positive-grounded vehicle, connect NEGATIVE
(BLACK) clip from battery charger to NEGATIVE (NEG, N, -)
ungrounded post of battery. Connect POSITIVE (RED) clip to
vehicle chassis or engine block away from battery. Connect to a
heavy gauge unpainted metal part of the frame or engine block.

WARNING: Do not connect clip to carburetor, fuel lines, or sheet­metal body parts. NOTE: Attach clips to battery post and twist
or rock back and forth several times to make a good connec­tion. This tends to keep clips from slipping off terminals and
helps to reduce risk of sparking.

6. Select amperage.

7. Follow steps 1-4 in Battery Charger Section K.

8. When the battery is fully charged, unplug the charger from
the AC power source.

9. Remove charger clips from (1) chasssis and (2) battery pole
in that order.

10. Clean and store battery charger.

G.

When charging battery out of vehicle, take care to determine the battery type. To reduce risk of a spark near battery, follow these steps
when battery is outside vehicle. WARNING: A spark near the battery may cause battery explosion. WARNING: When removing battery
from vehicle or boat, disconnect grounded pole first. When disconnecting, make sure all accessories are off, so as not to cause an arc.
(NOTE: A marine (boat) battery must be removed and charged on shore. (To charge on board requires special equipment designed for
marine use.) WARNING: When reinstalling battery, attach the ground post first.

1. Check polarity of battery posts. Battery case will be marked

2. Attach a 24-inch long (or longer) 6-gauge (AWG) insulated

3. Connect POSITIVE (RED) charger clip to POSITIVE (POS,

4. Position yourself and free end of 24 inch cable as far away

5. Select amperage:

6. Follow steps 1-4 in Battery Charger Section.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS: CHARGING BATTERY OUT OF VEHICLE

by each post: POSITIVE (POS, P, +) and NEGATIVE (NEG,
N, -). NOTE: The positive battery post usually has a larger
diameter than the negative post.

battery cable to NEGATIVE (NEG, N, -) battery post.
(The 24" lead is not supplied. You may purchase at most
automotive stores.)
The 24" lead provides a safer connection condition. Spark­ing or arcing could occur when connecting the charger clip
to the lead.

P, +) post of battery. Rock clip back and forth to make good
connection.

from battery as possible. Then connect NEGATIVE (BLACK)
charger clip to free end of cable.
WARNING: Do not face battery when making final con­nection. Rock clip back and forth to make a good connec­tion.

7. When battery is fully charged, unplug charger from AC out­let.

8. When battery is fully charged and the charger is unplugged:
(1) Remove clip from end of the Negative end of cable,
then
(2) Remove clip from Positive battery post, in that order.

9. Clean and store battery charger.

WARNING: Be sure area around the battery is well venti­lated while battery is being charged. Gas can be forcefully
blown away by using a piece of cardboard or other non­metallic material as a fan.

Sch487

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