Vector START-IT VEC078 - Manual (Page 10)

CHARGER CONTROLS
Charger controls are located on the front panel. Understand control use before operating charger.
CHARGE RATE SELECTOR SWITCH
• The Charge Rate Selector switch on the front panel of the charger (Figure 3) offers two 12 volt and one
6 volt charge rates for charging various types of batteries and an Engine Start position to assist
starting engines. Select the correct switch position BEFORE connecting the charger to a battery or
AC power source.
• Selections are made by rotating the switch to the correct position, corresponding with the type of battery
being charged, as follows:
• Small 12 volt DC batteries such as those used in motorcycles,
garden tractors, ATVs, jet skis, and snowmobiles can be
damaged by high rates of charge. ALWAYS select the
2 Amp/12 Volt setting (RIGHT switch position) to charge
this type of battery. For a slower charging time on larger
batteries also select the 2 Amp/12 Volt setting. Larger
batteries, can be safely charged at the 12 Amp rate.
Selector Switch Position Charging Rate
LEFT (fully counterclockwise) 100 Amp Engine Start (100A, 7.2 volts)
CENTER LEFT 12 Volt DC/15 Amp Charge (larger batteries)
CENTER RIGHT 12 Volt DC/2 Amp Charge (smaller batteries)
RIGHT (fully clockwise) 6 Volt/15 Amp (6 medium and large 6 volt batteries)
WARNING: IF IN DOUBT ABOUT SELECTING A CHARGE RATE, SELECT THE LOWER RATE. BATTERIES
GET WARM DURING CHARGING - IF BATTERIES ARE GETTING HOT, DISCONTINUE
CHARGING AND INVESTIGATE FOR DAMAGED BATTERY.
The Charge/Start Selector switch in the Start position protects the Ammeter from reading excessive current.
When the Charge position is selected, the Ammeter reads charge current for both 12 volt and 6-volt settings.
See Figure 4.
FIGURE 4
AMMETER AND INDICATORS
The ammeter is the colored (red, green and blue) meter on the front of the unit. It displays the current flowing
from the charger to the battery, in amperes. See Figure 5.
FIGURE 5
When starting to charge a battery, the current will depend on the battery’s percent of charge. The actual
current will usually be lower than the current selected on the charger’s switch, unless the battery is severely
discharged. As the battery charge level increases, the current reduces.
The ammeter is intended to show how the charging process is proceeding, it should not be used to determine
the level of battery charge - this should be done using a hydrometer or a voltmeter.
Typically 12.6 VDC is considered full charge for a 12 volt battery if the voltage is measured one hour after
the charger is disconnected. During charging, a nominal 12 volt battery can be 13.6 volts or somewhat
5
FIGURE 3