Schumacher SF-60, MCF-1, SF 1012D, SF 1010-2, SF 1052 User Manual

...

OWNER'S MANUAL

MODELS MCF-1, SF-60, SF 1010-2

SF 1012D, SF 1052, SF 1250

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.

Read Rules for

Safe Operation

and Instruction

Carefully

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 dry-cell 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.

10. Do not use an extension cord unless absolutely necessary. Use of an improper extension cord could result in fire or

GENERAL BATTERY SAFETY

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 plug on 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 14 10 8

_____________________________________________

11. Always charge battery in a well ventilated area.

NEVER operate in a closed-in or restricted area without adequate ventilation. 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.

WARNING: Battery chargers get hot during operation and must

have proper ventilation. Air needs to flow around entire charger. Do not set on flammable items like carpeting, upholstery, paper, cardboard, etc. Charger and melt plastic and rubber.

will damage leather

Sch555 English 10/30/97

• IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS •

• SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS •

ELECTRIC CORPORATION

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

In Canada, for warranty claims and replacement, please return item to place of purchase

during warranty period with receipt of purchase.

555-599

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,

GROUND AND AC POWER CORD CONNECTIONSC.

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).

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 device. 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.

USE OF ADAPTER PLUG NOT ALLOWED IN CANADA

1. Make sure that the voltage of the battery and the charger match. Select battery charger switch, if this model has one, 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.

PREPARING TO CHARGE

Ampere

Rating

.3 amp

1 amp

2 amp

FIGURE 1 GROUNDING METHODS

Charger Selection Guide (see section H)

Charging

Hours

2-to Hrs.

3-6 Hrs.

Recommended Battery

Uses

Maintain charge on battery.

Charge motorcycle, snowmobile, lawnmower, trickle charge car, truck, RV, marine.

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

6 amp

10 amp

30 amp

Boost

50 amp

Engine Start

6-8 Hrs.

3-5 Hrs.

5 seconds on

240 seconds off

2 minutes on

5 minutes off

Charges car, truck, RV, trolling outboard, tractor farm equip-ment.

Cranking assists helps turn engine when battery power is low.

Boost battery for 2 minutes before Cranking Engine.

Sch555 English 10/30/97

When charging battery in the vehicle, take care to determine the battery type and which post i s 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 INSTRUCTION: 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.

5. Select amperage.

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

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

8. Remove charger clips from (1 ) chassis and (2) battery pole in that order.

9. Clean and store battery charger.

OPERATING INSTRUCTION: CHARGING BATTERY OUT OF VEHICLE

When charging battery out of vehicle, take care to determine the battery type. To reduce risk of a spark near battery, follow these step 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 by each post: POSITIVE (POS, P, +) and NEGATIVE (NEG,

POSITIVE

NEGATIVE

N, -). NOTE: The positive battery post usually has a larger diameter than the negative post.

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

BATTERY

BATTERY CHARGER

lated 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

24" OF 6 Gauge Cable

POWER CORD

clip to the lead.

3. Connect POSITIVE (RED) charger clip to POSITIVE (POS, P, +) post of BATTERY. Rock clip back and forth to make good connection.

4. Position yourself and free end of 24 inch cable as far away from battery as possible. Then connect NEGATIVE (BLACK) charger clip to free end of cable. WARNING: Do not face battery when making final connec-

(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.

TO GROUNDED POWER OUTLET

tion. Rock clip back and forth to make a good connection.

5. Select amperage:

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

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

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.

8. When battery is fully charged and the charger is unplugged:

Sch555 English 10/30/97

METER FUNCTIONS

PERCENT OF CHARGE

The percent of charge scale is intended as a visual aid to help simplify detemmining the state of charge. It is scaled for use with the 6 or 10 amp charge rates only. For the 2 amp charge rate, use the red triangle.The percent of charge is based on current draw by the battery. For this reason accuracy will vary with the size and battery type. Typically a 28 ampere hour battery will draw less current at end charge than a 140 ampere hour wet cell battery. This means that the indication for a fully charged large battery may be slightly less than 100%.

For the 2 amp charge rate a red triangle has been provided within the green area of the meter scale. It’s accuracy has been calibrated for use with small battery. As a battery takes on a charge, correspondingly less of the red area will fall under the meter needle.

The Ammeter

The ammeter indicates the amp draw on the charger when a fully discharged battery is connected to the charger. The meter will read the maximum output rating of the charger 2 amps, 10 amps, or 30 amps depending on the charger and switch position you have chosen.

The charge on the 2 amp or the 10 amp, will gradually taper down as the battery nears full charge. As the charge current tapers, the ammeter needle will also move down. The 2 amp charge produces such a small current that it will not show up very well on the meter.

The 30 amp boost charge (on the SF 1250 only) may be used for a quick charge prior to using the engine start feature. The meter will indicate around the 30 amps line if the battery is fully discharged and less if the battery is partially charged. Follow duty cycle instructions for this boost position.

See Meter Views

The charger meter needle will indicate somewhere between the solid line and the dotted line when the charging is first started. The variation is due to the difference in battery conditions and construction of the battery. A battery that is not fully charged will not require the charger to begin the charge at the highest rating, such as the 10 amp on the 10 amp charge position. The battery is charged when the meter indicates near the dotted line shown in the view at the right. This is about 1/2 of the selected charge rate. (about 4-5 amps on the 10 amp setting).

USING THE METER AS A BATTERY TESTER (Model SF 60 only)

2 amp

DC AMPS

2 AMP RATE

CHARGE % 100 75 50 25 0

0 2 4 6 8 10 12

10 amp

DC AMPS

2 AMP RATE

CHARGE % 100 75 50 25 0

0 2 4 6 8 10 12

30 amp Engine Start

DC AMPS

CHARGING

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

START

1. Since this test is based on terminal voltage of the battery, always begin with fully charged

battery. The Battery must be in the vehicle, with the engine and accessories turned off.

2. There is no need for the charger to be connected to the AC power. Unplug charger or rotate timer

to the OFF position prior to testing.

3. Connect charger to battery as described in Paragraph G.

4.The meter pointer should be within the green zone of the scale designated BATTERY. It the

battery has just been charged, the pointer may be past the green zone and into the yellow zone of ALTERNATOR scale. This is normal. If the pointer rests in the red or yellow zone of the BATTERY scale, the battery may need to be charged.

5. While connected to the battery, turn on the vehicle headlights. Leave on for approximately 10

minutes, then observe the meter reading. For a good battery, the pointer will initially move towards the yellow side of the green zone, then remain fairly constant throughout remainder of the test. If the pointer continues to move and falls into the yellow or red zone, the battery is either weak or poor. For heavy duty batteries more accurate results may be obtained by extending the discharge time a few minutes.

CHECKING THE VEHICLE CHARGING SYSTEM

1. Follow instructions 1 through 4 of battery test section (K).

2. Start engine. If the vehicle charging system is working properly, the meter pointer should be

within the green zone of the scale designated ALTERNATOR. If the pointer is in the yellow zone, it’s likely that the alternator is not charging the battery. If the pointer rises to the extreme right hand side of the red zone it’s likely that the battery is being overcharged.

NOTE - In order to compensate for the battery’s characteristics with temperature, the vehicle’s charging system will increase its output voltage with a decrease in ambient temperature. The test meter is calibrated for batteries at 25 C, as a result the meter indication will be slightly higher at lower outside temperatures.

Before replacing the battery or components of your charging system, obtain a second opinion from a professional. CAUTION - For maximum charger life and least annoyance by breaker cycling, use start position for engine cranking only.

Sch555 English 10/30/97

Voltimeter

POOR WEAK GOOD

BATTERY TESTER

YGnR

CHARGER\ ALTERNATOR

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