Schumacher SC-1000A - Manual (Page 13)

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BATTERy PERCENT AND CHARGE TIME 11.3 : This charger adjusts
the charging time in order to charge the battery completely, efficiently
and safely. The microprocessor automatically performs the necessary
functions. This section includes guidelines that can be used to estimate
charging times.
The duration of the charging process depends on three factors:
Battery State • – If a battery has only been slightly discharged, it can be
charged in less than a few hours. The same battery could take up to 10
hours if very weak. With Models SC-1200A, SSC-1000A and SSC-1500A
the battery state can be estimated by using the built-in voltage tester.
The lower the reading the longer charging will take.
Battery Rating
• – A higher rated battery will take longer to charge than
a lower rated battery under the same conditions. A battery is rated in
ampere hours (AH), reserve capacity (RC) and cold cranking amps
(CCA). The lower the rating, the quicker the battery will charge.
Charge Rate
• – The charge rate is measured in amps. The 2A rate is for
charging smaller batteries such as those used for motorcycles and
garden tractors. Such batteries should not be charged using the higher
rates. The 4A, 6A and 8A rates are for charging automotive, marine and
deep-cycle batteries. The 10A, 12A and 15A rates are for charging
automotive and light truck batteries. All charging modes will decrease
the charge rate as the battery approaches maximum charge. After the
charging process has started, the digital display can be used to deter-
mine charging progress by selecting the BATTERY % mode. (Models
SC-1200A, SSC-1000A and SSC-1500A)
There are some important facts to keep in mind when charging a battery.
When the display indicates 77% charged, the battery has been charged •
enough to start most vehicles.
When the battery is fully charged, the display will indicate 100% charged.
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The battery % shown in tester mode is an estimate based on the battery •
voltage.
The battery % shown in charger mode is an estimate of the relative
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charge in the battery compared to the charge it should have if the
charging process is allowed to complete and can be used to estimate
the relative charge time. The lower the % shown the longer the charge
time for a given battery.
The battery % shown in charger mode is an indication of the relative
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progress of the charging process. The higher the battery % displayed, the
less charge time remains.
The more a battery is discharged, the faster it absorbs charge from a
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charger. That means that the battery % increases faster at the beginning
of the charging process than at the end. In other words, it takes longer for
the battery to absorb the last few percents of charge than the first several
percents.