Schumacher Automatic /Maintainer SE-1-12S User Manual

Page 2

TIVE (RED) ring terminal from the battery charger to the POSITIVE (POS,

P, +) ungrounded post of the battery. Connect the NEGATIVE (BLACK) ring

terminal to the vehicle chassis or engine block away from the battery. Do not

connect the ring terminal to the carburetor, fuel lines, or sheet-metal body

parts. Connect to a heavy gauge metal part of the frame or engine block.
For positive-grounded vehicle : You should disconnect both battery cables

6.6

from the battery before connecting the charger cables. The output leads of

the charger are terminated with 3/8” dia. ring terminals. Remove the bolt

from the battery post connector, insert the bolt through the ring terminal then

place the bolt back in the battery connector and tighten. Connect the NEGA-

TIVE (BLACK) ring terminals from the battery charger to the NEGATIVE

(NEG, N, –) ungrounded post of the battery. Connect the POSITIVE (RED)

ring terminals to the vehicle chassis or engine block away from the battery.

Do not connect the ring terminals to the carburetor, fuel lines, or sheet-metal

body parts. Connect to a heavy gauge metal part of the frame or engine

block.
When disconnecting the charger, disconnect the AC cord, remove the ring

6.7

terminal from the vehicle chassis, and then remove the ring terminal from

the battery terminal.

FOLLOW THESE STEPS WHEN BATTERY IS OUTSIDE

VEHICLE.

A SPARK NEAR THE BATTERY MAY CAUSE A BATTERY EXPLOSION. TO

REDUCE THE RISK OF A SPARK NEAR THE BATTERY:

Check the polarity of the battery posts. The POSITIVE (POS, P, +) battery

7.1

post usually has a larger diameter than the NEGATIVE (NEG, N, –) post.
Attach at least a 24-inch-long 6-gauge (AWG) insulated battery cable to the

7.2

NEGATIVE (NEG, N, –) battery post.
Connect the POSITIVE (RED) charger ring terminal to the POSITIVE (POS,

7.3

P, +) post of the battery.
Position yourself and the free end of the cable you previously attached to

7.4

the NEGATIVE (NEG, N, -) battery post as far away from the battery as pos-

sible – then connect the NEGATIVE (BLACK) charger ring terminal to the

free end of the cable using a nut and bolt through both ring terminals.
Do not face the battery when making the final connection.

7.5

When disconnecting the charger, always do so in the reverse order of the

7.6

connecting procedure and break the first connection while as far away from

the battery as practical.
A marine (boat) battery must be removed and charged on shore. To charge

7.7

it onboard requires equipment specially designed for marine use.

BATTERY CHARGING - AC CONNECTIONS

This battery charger is for use on a nominal 120-volt circuit and has a

8.1

grounded plug that looks like the plug illustrated. The charger must be

grounded to reduce the risk of electric shock. The plug must be plugged into

an outlet that is properly installed and grounded in ac-

cordance with all local codes and ordinances. The plug

pins must fit the receptacle (outlet). Do not use with an

ungrounded system.
DANGER – Never alter AC cord or plug provided – if

it does not fit the outlet, have proper grounded outlet

installed by a qualified electrician. Improper connection

can result in a risk of an electric shock or electrocution.

NOTE: The use of an adapter plug is not recommended.

MOUNTING INSTRUCTIONS

Mounting the charger to the fender well: The SE-1-12S charger can be

mounted directly to the fender well of your vehicle as

shown. If using the nuts and bolts provided, drill two

holes between 3/16” and 1/4” in diameter. (For alignment

of holes use the charger as a template.) If the backside of

the mounting surface is hard to reach, you may consider

using two 1/2” long sheet metal screws (not included)

instead of the nuts and bolts provided.
Mounting the charger alongside the battery: The SE-

1-12S can also be mounted alongside your vehicle’s battery using the bracket

provided. If possible, mount the charger to the side of the battery away from

the engine and fan blades. Mount the bracket to the charger as

shown using the nuts and bolts provided.

Loosen the battery retaining hardware

enough that you can insert the bracket

between the bottom of the battery and the

battery mounting tray as shown. Position

the charger so that it will not rub against

the battery or any other part of the vehicle, and then tighten the

battery retaining hardware.

CAUTION: Do not drill or puncture the battery.
Electrical Installation – The output leads of the charger are terminated with 3/8”

dia. ring lugs. Route and secure the AC cord and the output wiring away from

the gas line, carburetor or other hot, sharp or moving and pinch parts to avoid

damage to the insulation. Secure the AC cord using a cable tie or equivalent. If

you have difficulty connecting the output leads, consult your local auto supply

store, they may assist you in finding a connecting device for your application.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

10.

Charging

This charger is intended for use with 12 volt battery systems only. The charger

contains an electronic control circuit which safeguards against overcharging the

battery.
1. Connect the battery and AC power following the precautions listed in sec-

tions 6, 7 and 8.
2. The POWER ON (green) LED will light when the AC cord is properly con-

nected. When the battery is charged the CHARGED (red) LED will light
The charger then automatically switches between charge mode and maintain

mode as necessary. The CHARGED (red) LED will cycle on when the battery

is at full charge and off when the voltage drops below a preset level and the

charger goes into charge mode. This cycle will continue, and the CHARGED

(red) LED will stay on for longer periods of time as the battery becomes more

fully charged.
Charging Tips

Read this entire manual before using your battery charger. The following tips

serve only as a guide for specific situations.

Your charger has been designed NOT to spark if the ring terminals on the

•

leads accidentally touch one another, or if the leads are connected in reverse.
The battery must measure at least 1 volt to start the charging of the battery.

•

The POWER ON (green) LED will be on even if the charging is not taking

place. You can verify charging by measuring the battery voltage and noting an

increase in volts.
This charger is ideally suited for maintaining the battery charge level for the

•

following applications:

Storage of a battery during non-seasonal use.

For vehicles seldom used or placed in storage.

For improved battery performance during cold weather.

For large automotive or marine batteries which are deeply discharged, it is

•

recommended to recharge it first with a larger charger (such as a 10 amp)

then use the SE-1-12S to maintain the charge level of the battery.

MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS

11.

Before performing maintenance, unplug and disconnect battery charger (see

11.1

sections 6.7 and 7.6).
After use, unplug charger and use a dry cloth to wipe all battery corrosion

11.2

and other dirt or oil from terminals, cords, and the charger case.
Servicing does not require opening unit, as there are no user-serviceable

11.3

parts.

STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS

12.

Store charger unplugged. Cord will still conduct electricity until it is un-

12.1

plugged from outlet.
Store inside, in a dry, cool place.

12.2

Do not store ring terminals on or around metal or clipped together.

12.3

TROUBLESHOOTING

13.

PROBLEM

POSSIBLE CAUSE

SOLUTION

The charger is making

an audible clicking

sound.

This battery charger is

equipped with a self-

resetting circuit breaker.

This device protects the

charger from temporary

overloads. In the

event of an overload,

the breaker will trip

open and after a short

cooling off period will

reset automatically.

This process is known

as cycling and can

be recognized by an

audible clicking sound.

Battery is defective.

Shorted battery cables

or ring terminals.

Severely discharged

battery, but otherwise it

is a good battery.

Reverse connections at

battery.

Have the battery

checked.

Circuit breaker cycles

when current draw is

too high. Check for

shorted cables or ring

terminals and replace if

necessary.

The battery may not

want to accept a charge

due to a run-down

state. Allow charging to

continue until battery

has a chance to recover

sufficiently to take a

charge. If more than 20

minutes, stop charging

and have the battery

checked.

Shut the charger off

and correct the lead

connections.

Charger makes a loud

buzz or hum.

Transformer laminations

vibrate (buzz).

Shorted Diode

Assembly or Output

Rectifier Assembly

(hum).

No problem, this is a

normal condition.

Have charger

checked by a qualified

technician.