Sears 608.718571 - Manual (Page 4)

3. Check polarity of battery posts. POSITIVE (POS, P, +)
battery post usually has a larger diameter than NEGATIVE
(NEG, N, -) post.
4. Determine which post of battery is grounded (connected)
to the chassis. If negative post is grounded to chassis (as
in most vehicles), see item 5. If positive post is grounded
to chassis, see item 6.
5. For common negative-grounded vehicle, connect POSI­
TIVE (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. Do not connect clip to carburetor, fuel lines, or
sheet-metal body parts. Connect to a heavy gage metal
part of the frame or engine block.
6. For positive-grounded vehicle, connect NEGATIVE (BLACK)
clip from battery charger to NEGATIVE (NEG, N, -) un­
grounded post of battery. Connect POSITIVE (RED) clip to
vehicle chassis or engine block away from battery. Do not
connect clip to carburetor, fuel lines, or sheet-metal body
parts. Connect to a heavy gage metal part of the frame or
engine block. Set control to 10 amp or 2 amp.
7. ONLY - After completing steps 1 through 6, plug the
power cord of the charger into grounded 120 volts, 60 Hz
outlet.
PROPER DISCONNECT PROCEDURE
1. ALWAYS unplug the charger power cord before doing
anything else.
2. Then disconnect the grounded clamp from the engine
block or framework.
3. Finally, disconnect the remaining clamp from the battery
terminal.
CHARGING BATTERY OUT OF VEHICLE
FOLLOW THESE STEPS WHEN BATTERY IS OUTSIDE VEHI­
CLE. A SPARK NEAR THE BATTERY MAY CAUSE BATTERY
EXPLOSION. TO REDUCE RISK OF A SPARK NEAR BATTERY:
1.
Check polarity of battery posts. POSITIVE (POS, P, -i-)
battery post usually has a larger diameter than NEGATIVE
(NEG, N, -) post.
2. Attach at least a 24-inch-long 6-gauge (AWG) insulated
battery cable to NEGATIVE (NEG, N, -) battery post.
(This can be a standard automobile battery cable available
through your Sears Auto Center or other auto parts store.)
3. Connect POSITIVE (RED) charger clip to POSITIVE (POS,
P, + ) post of battery.
4. Position yourself and free end of cable as far away from the
battery as possible - then connect NEGATIVE (BLACK)
charger clip to free end of cable.
5. Do not face battery when making final connection. Set
control to desired current 10 or 2 amp.
6. ONLY - After completing steps 1 through 5, insert power
cord to a grounded outlet of 120 volts, 60 Hz.
7. A marine (boat) battery must be removed and charged on
shore. To charge it on board requires equipment specially
designed for marine use.
PROPER DISCONNECT PROCEDURE
1. ALWAYS unplug the charger power cord before doing
anything else.
2. Then disconnect the negative (black) lead from the end of
the 24 inch cable.
3. Finally, disconnect positive (red) lead from battery post.
CHARGER OVERLOAD PROTECTION
Your Sears battery charger is protected from power overload by
two automatic heat sensing switches. One is in the DC output
circuit (item 7 on your parts list), the other is built on the
transformer. The first will operate when a short circuit, reverse
connections, or too tong engine cranking overloads the
charger. The protector will open with a click sound and reclose
in a few seconds. The second protector will operate when a
prolonged overload due to a defective battery or other excessive
load causes the transformer to overheat. It is a one time device
and once it functions the transformer must be replaced.
TIME REQUIRED TO CHARGE
1. A battery is fully charged when:
a. A hydrometer reading of the electrolyte liquid reaches
1.250 or above (all cells should have approximately the
same reading).
b. The charger rate drops to a very low pulsating rate to
maintain battery charge level. (3-5) hours for most 12
volt batteries or (5-8) hours for smaller 12 volt batteries
at 2 amperes.
2. OVERCHARGING OF BATTERIES SHOULD BE AVOIDED AS
MUCH AS POSSIBLE. Overcharging causes excessive
gassing, loss of water, and eventual damage to the bat­
tery. Charging should be stopped if battery becomes very
warm (over about 125 Degrees Fahrenheit) or appears to
be bubbling freely.
POSSIBLE CHARGING PROBLEMS
1. Meter needle swings to far right side of meter:
Your new battery charger has been equipped with an
automatic reset circuit breaker. This protects the charger
from temporary overload conditions. A severely discharged
battery, a battery with shorted cells, or reversed charger
connections at the battery will cause this protective device
to operate.
Under these overload conditions, the circuit breaker will
open, and when cooled down will reset automatically.
This cycling process can be identified by a clicking sound
made during the opening and closing of the circuit
breaker.
a. Check for reverse polarity connections.
b. If battery is severely discharged, charge meter needle
will start to cycle up and down, and will stabilize after
15 to 20 minutes.
c. Battery may have one or more shorted cells. Cycling
will start immediately and continue indefinitely. If cycl­
ing has not stopped as outlined in (b), disconnect
charger (AC power cord first) and have battery tested.
2. No meter reading:
a. Check connections to battery and engine block or car
frame. Be sure polarity is correct (red clip to positive).
"Rock” the clips to bite through any dirt or corrosion.
If in a vehicle, be sure terminals on battery are clean
and tight.
b. Check AC outlet or extension cord connections.
c. One or more cells may be shorted. Thermal switch in
charger may cycle (click on and off).
MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING
Very little maintenance is required. As with any appliance or
tool, a few common sense rules will prolong the life of your bat­
tery charger.
ALWAYS BE SURE CHARGER IS UNPLUGGED BEFORE DOING
ANY MAINTENANCE OR CLEANING.
1. Store in a clean, dry place.
2. Coil up cords when not in use.
3. Clean case and cords with a dry or slightly damp cloth.
4. Clean any corrosion from clips with a solution of water and
baking soda.
5. Examine cords periodically for cracking or other damage.
Have them replaced if necessary.