Vector VEC1088 A Owner's Manual & Warranty Information

SMART AUTOMATIC

BATTERY CHARGER

OWNER’S MANUAL & WARRANTY INFORMATION

12 VOLT 2/6/12 AMPERE CHARGE RATES WITH

ALTERNATOR VOLTAGE CHECK AND BATTERY RECONDITION FUNCTIONS

• IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS •

WARNING – RISK OF EXPLOSIVE GASES

1. 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.

2. To reduce risk of battery explosion, follow these instructions and those published by the battery

manufacturer and manufacturer of any equipment you intend to use in vicinity of battery. Review
cautionary markings on these products and on engine.

GENERAL BATTERY SAFETY

1. Use this charger for charging a 12 VOLT LEAD-ACID battery only. It is not intended to supply power to a low voltage
electrical system other than in automotive applications. DO not use this battery charger for anything other than 12
volt rechargeable types of batteries. Charging batteries with other voltage ratings or “non-rechargeable” may burst
and cause injury to persons and damage to property.

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

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

4. An 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 extension cord must be used, make sure:
a. Pins on plug of extension cord are the same number, size, and shape as those of plug on charger.
b. Extension cord is properly wired and in good electrical condition; and
c. Wire size is AWG#14 (14 gauge) to 100 feet and AWG#12 for distances over 100 feet.

5. Do not operate charger with damaged cord or plug - replace the cord or plug immediately.

6. Do not operate charger if it has received a sharp blow, been dropped, or otherwise damaged in anyway; take it to
a qualified service technician.

7. Do not disassemble charger; contact a qualified service technician when service or repair is required. Incorrect
reassembly may result in risk of electric shock or fire.

8. To reduce risk of electric shock, unplug charger from outlet before attempting any maintenance or cleaning. Turning
off charger controls will not reduce this risk.

9. Do not operate charger in rain or snow or use when wet .

10. Never charge a frozen battery.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS:

This manual contains important safety and operating instructions for battery charger Model VEC1088 A

4140 SW 28TH WAY, FT. LAUDERDALE, FL 33312 • TEL: [phone] • FAX: [phone] • TOLL-FREE 866-584-5504

VEC1088 A

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.

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VEC1088 A

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PERSONAL PRECAUTIONS AND SAFETY

1. Another person should be close enough to come to your aid when you work near a lead-acid battery.

2. Fresh water and soap should be nearby in case battery acid contacts skin, clothing, or eyes.

3. Wear eye protection and protective clothing. Avoid touching eyes or skin while working with a battery. If acid particles
or corrosion gets into eyes immediately flood eye with cold water (Eye Wash Station) for at least 10 minutes and get
medical attention immediately.

4. If battery acid contacts skin or clothing, wash immediately with soap and water.

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

6. CAUTION: Dropping metal tool or other object onto battery may cause spark, short-circuit battery or other electrical
components and may cause explosion.

7. Remove personal metal items such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, and watches when working with a lead-acid battery.
Lead-acid batteries can produce a short-circuit current high enough to cause a severe burn.

GROUND AND AC POWER CORD CONNECTION

Charger should be grounded to reduce risk of electric shock. Charger is equipped with an AC cord having grounding
conductor and a grounding plug. The plug must be plugged into a properly installed and grounded 110/120VAC outlet
in accordance with all local codes and ordinances. (See Figure 1.)

This battery charger is for use on a 110/120VAC circuit, and has a grounding plug that looks like the plug shown in
FIGURE 1A. If a properly grounded outlet is not available, a temporary adapter (like the adapter shown in FIGURE 1B),
may be used to connect this plug to a two-pole receptacle as shown in FIGURE 1B. The temporary adapter should be
used ONLY until a properly grounded outlet can be installed by a qualified electrician.

The green-colored rigid ear or tab extending from 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
ground tab to outlet cover plate and connect to grounded outlet.

FIGURE 1A FIGURE 1B

GROUNDING PIN (A)

ADAPTER (B)

GROUNDING
MEANS

METAL SCREW

USE OF AN ADAPTER IS NOT ALLOWED IN CANADA. IF A GROUNDING TYPE RECEPTACLE IS NOT AVAILABLE, DO
NOT USE THIS APPLIANCE UNTIL THE PROPER OUTLET IS INSTALLED BY A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN

DANGER! NEVER alter AC cord or plug – if it will not fit outlet, have proper outlet installed by a qualified electrician.

Improper connection may result in an electric shock.

DANGER!

Before using adapter as shown (FIGURE 1B), be sure the center screw of outlet plate is grounded.

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PREPARING TO CHARGE

1. Determine voltage of battery by referring to car owner's manual.

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

3. Clean battery terminals. Be careful to keep corrosion from coming in contact with eyes or skin.

4. Add distilled water in each cell until battery acid reaches manufacturer’s specified level. This helps purge excessive gas
from cells. Do not overfill. For a battery without cell caps, carefully follow manufacturer's recharging instructions.

5. Study all battery manufacturers' precautions such as removing or not removing cell caps while charging and
recommended charging rates.

6. Area around battery should be well ventilated while battery is being charged. Gas can be forcefully blown away by
using a piece of cardboard or other nonmetallic material such as a fan.

7. Make sure the initial charging rate does not exceeds manufacturer’s recommendation.

CHARGER LOCATION

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

2.

NEVER place charger directly above battery being charged; gases from battery will corrode and damage charger.

3.

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

4.

NEVER operate charger in a restricted or non-ventilated area.

5. Marine batteries must be removed and charged on shore.

6. Do not set a battery on top of charger.

DC CONNECTION PRECAUTIONS

1. Connect and disconnect DC output clamps only after unplugging AC cord from outlet.

2. Never allow clamps to touch each other.

3. Attach clamps to battery posts and check for secure connection. This will hold clamps securely on terminals and helps
to reduce risk of sparking.

FOLLOW THESE STEPS WHEN BATTERY IS INSTALLED IN VEHICLE. A SPARK NEAR BATTERY MAY CAUSE BATTERY
EXPLOSION. TO REDUCE RISK OF A SPARK NEAR BATTERY:

a. Position AC and DC cords/cables to reduce risk of damage by hood, door, or other moving engine parts.
b. Stay clear of fan blades, belts, pulleys, and other parts that can cause injury.
c. Check polarity of battery posts. POSITIVE (POS, P, +) battery post usually has larger diameter than NEGATIVE

(NEG, N,-) post.

d. Determine which battery post is grounded (connected) to the chassis. If negative post is grounded to chassis

(as in most vehicles), see (e). If positive post is grounded to the chassis, see (f).

e. For negative-grounded vehicle, connect POSITIVE (RED) clamp from battery charger to POSITIVE (POS,P, +)

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

f. For positive-grounded vehicle, connect NEGATIVE (BLACK) clip from battery charger to NEGATIVE (NEG, N, -)

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

g. When disconnecting charger, disconnect AC cord first. Then remove clamps from vehicle chassis from

battery terminal.
h. Refer to operating instructions for length of charge information.
i. Do not charge the battery while the engine is operating.

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INTRODUCTION AND FEATURES

Thank you for selecting the Vector Model VEC1088 A 2/6/12 Amp 12 Volt Smart Battery Charger, with Alternator Voltage
Check and Battery Recondition functions. With proper care and use, it will give you years of dependable service. This
battery charger has a high charge rate of up to 12 amps, and low charge rate of up to 2 amps. It is designed for charging
only 12 volt lead-acid batteries - conventional automotive, maintenance free, marine deep cycle and Gel - used in cars,
trucks, farm equipment, boats, RVs and SUVs, lawn mowers/garden tractors, motorcycles, personal watercraft,
snowmobiles, ATVs, trucks and various commercial applications.

Vector Smart Chargers feature 3-Stage High Efficiency Charging Technology Built-in Microprocessor Control that ensures
Fast, Safe and complete Charge on serviceable batteries (See FIGURE 2).

Stage One - Rapid Star

t Charge delivers maximum charging amperage to “wake up” any serviceable 12 Volt battery and
allows for quick engine starting in just 4 minutes (based on midsize vehicle battery at 50% charge level). When battery reaches
a maximum safe predetermined voltage, the charger will automatically signal a "BEEP" and move into Stage 2 of the charging
process. At the end of Stage 2, the charger will signal a "BEEP" and move into Stage 3 charge mode.

Stage Two - Absorption Charge

maintains the maximum possible charge at a constant safe predetermined voltage. During
the phase, voltage absorption regulation charge, the charging voltage remains constant, while the actual charging current
is reduced to allow for the maximum proper internal chemical energy transfer.

Stage Three - T

op-Off Charge voltage is automatically maintained and reduced to a predetermined level while current is
adjusted for a safe, effective battery charge level (step-down regulation mode); Ideal for topping off batteries that have
been in storage. At the conclusion of Stage 3, the unit will BEEP signaling the completion of the charging cycle

FIGURE 2 - CHARGE CURVE

FEATURES

•

This unit has three charge rate settings, with a 2/6/12A push button charge rate switch:

a) 2 amps: smaller batteries as in lawn mowers, snowmobiles, motorcycles, etc.
b) 6 amps: middle sized batteries such as in small cars.
c) 12 amps: automobile batteries and light trucks.

• Microprocessor controlled for proper operation and for fault detection.

• Large Lighted Digital Display, shows charging current, and codes that indicate faults, and modes of operation and

timeout of functions.

• High Frequency operation for pure DC output.

• Rapid charging three stage output.

• Heavy-duty cables and clamps are corrosion-resistant.

• Connect to side or top-mount battery terminals.

• Rugged case with baked on finish, plus sturdy carrying handle

• Self storage of cables and clamps.

• Ideal during winter season when vehicle's starting performance is reduced by cold or extreme weather conditions.

• Single beep tone indicates a button is pressed or a mode change occurs.

• Battery Recondition mode provides "desulfation" of battery plates to improve battery performance.

• Alternator Voltage Check can determine if the alternator output is within a typical voltage range.

Stage One

BEEP

BEEP

OFF

Stage Two

Stage Three

CHARGING COMPLETE LED LIT