Amazon Basics Battery Charger 12 Volt 8/2A User Guide
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Read these instructions carefully and retain them for future use. If this product is passed to a third party, then these instructions must be included. When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, and/ or injury to persons including the following:
- Keep out of reach of children.
- Do not expose the charger to rain or snow.
- 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.
- To reduce the risk of damage to the electrical plug and cord, pull by the plug rather than the cord when disconnecting charger.
- 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 an extension cord must be used, make sure:
- The pins on the plug of the extension cord are the same number, size and shape as those of the plug on the charger.
- The extension cord is properly wired and in good electrical condition.
- The wire size is large enough for the AC ampere rating of the charger, as specified in chapter “Grounding and AC Power Cord Connections”.
- Do not operate the charger with a damaged cord or plug – replace the cord or plug immediately.
- Do not operate the charger if it has received a sharp blow, been dropped or otherwise damaged in any way; take it to a qualified service technician.
- Do not disassemble the charger; take it to a qualified service technician when service or repair is required. Incorrect reassembly may result in a risk of electric shock or fire.
- To reduce the risk of electric shock, unplug the charger from the outlet before attempting any maintenance or cleaning.
- Turning off controls will not reduce this risk.
WARNING Risk of explosive gases. Working in the 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 you follow the instructions each time you use the charger. To reduce the risk of battery explosion, follow these instructions and those published by the battery manufacturer and manufacturer of any equipment you intend to use in the vicinity of battery. Review the cautionary markings on these products and on the engine.
- Consider having someone close by enough to come to your aid when you work near a lead-acid battery.
- Have plenty of fresh water and soap nearby in case battery acid contacts skin, clothing or eyes.
- Wear complete eye protection and clothing protection. Avoid touching eyes while working near a battery.
- If battery acid contacts skin or clothing, wash immediately with soap and water. If acid enters eyes, immediately flood eyes with running cold water for at least 10 minutes and get medical attention immediately.
- Never smoke or allow sparks or flames in the vicinity of the battery or engine.
- Be extra cautious to reduce the risk of dropping a metal tool onto the battery. It might spark or short-circuit the battery or other electrical parts that may cause an explosion.
- Remove personal metal items such as rings, bracelets, necklaces and watches when working with a lead-acid battery. A lead-acid battery can produce a short-circuit current high enough to weld a ring or the like to metal, causing a severe burn.
- Use the charger for charging 6 V and 12 V LEAD-ACID (STD or AGM) rechargeable batteries. It is not intended to supply power to a low-voltage electrical system other than in a starter-motor application. Do not use the battery charger for charging dry-cell batteries that are commonly used with home appliances. These batteries may burst and cause injury to persons and damage to property.
- Never charge a frozen battery.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
FCC – Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity
FCC Compliance Statement
- This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
- this device may not cause harmful interference, and
- this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
- Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
FCC Interference Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help
Preparing to Charge
- If it is necessary to remove the battery from the vehicle to charge, always remove the grounded terminal from the battery first. Make sure all accessories in the vehicle are off, so as not to cause an arc.
- Be sure the area around the battery is well-ventilated while the battery is being charged.
- Clean battery terminals. Be careful to keep corrosion from coming in contact with eyes.
- Add distilled water in each cell until battery acid reaches the level specified by the battery manufacturer. Do not overfill. For a battery without removable cell caps, such as valve-regulated lead-acid batteries, carefully follow the manufacturer’s recharging instructions.
- Study all battery manufacturer’s specific precautions while charging and recommended rates of charge.
- Determine battery voltage by referring to your vehicle owner’s manual and make sure that the output voltage selector switch is set to the correct voltage. If the charger has an adjustable charge rate, charge the battery initially at the lowest rate.
Charger Location
- Locate charger as far away from the battery as DC cables permit.
- Never place the charger directly above the battery being charged; gases from battery will corrode and damage the charger.
- Never allow battery acid to drip on the charger when reading electrolyte specific gravity or filling the battery.
- Do not operate the charger in a closed-in area or restrict ventilation in any way.
- Do not set a battery on top of the charger.
DC Connection Precautions
- Connect and disconnect DC output clips only after setting any charger switches to the OFF position and removing the AC cord from the electrical outlet. Never allow clips to touch each other.
- Attach clips to battery and body, as indicated in the next 2 chapters.
Follow These Steps When Battery Is Installed In Vehicle
WARNING A spark near the battery may cause a battery explosion! To reduce the risk of a spark near the battery:
- Position the AC and DC cords to reduce the risk of damage by hood, door or moving engine part.
- Stay clear of fan blades, belts, pulleys and other parts that can cause injury to persons.
- Check polarity of battery posts. The POSITIVE (POS, P. +) battery post usually has a larger diameter than the NEGATIVE (NEG, N, -) post.
- Determine which post of the battery is grounded (connected) to the body.
- For a negative-grounded vehicle, connect the POSITIVE (RED) clip from the battery charger to the POSITIVE (POS, P, +) ungrounded post of the battery. Connect the NEGATIVE (BLACK) clip to the vehicle body or engine block away from the battery. Do not connect the clip to carburetor, fuel lines or sheet-metal body parts. Connect to a heavy-gauge metal part of the frame or engine block.
- For a positive-grounded vehicle, connect the NEGATIVE (BLACK) clip from the battery charger to the NEGATIVE (NEG, N, -) ungrounded post of the battery. Connect the POSITIVE (RED) clip to the vehicle body or engine block away from the battery. Do not connect the clip to 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, turn switches to off, disconnect the AC cord, remove the clip from the vehicle body and then remove the clip from the battery terminal.
- See operating instructions for information on charging times.
Follow These Steps When Battery Is Outside Vehicle
WARNING A spark near the battery may cause a battery explosion! To reduce the risk of a spark near the battery:
- Check polarity of battery posts. The POSITIVE (POS, P, +) battery post usually has a larger diameter than NEGATIVE (NEG, N, -) post.
- Attach at least a 24-inch-long 6-gauge (AWG) insulated battery cable to the NEGATIVE (NEG, N, -) battery post.
- Connect the POSITIVE (RED) charger clip to the POSITIVE (POS, P, +) battery post.
- Position yourself and the free end of the cable as far away from the battery as possible – then connect the NEGATIVE (BLACK) charger clip to the free end of the cable.
- Do not face the battery when making the final connection.
- When disconnecting the charger, always do so in reverse order of the connecting procedure and break the first connection while standing as far away from the battery as practical.
- A marine (boat) battery must be removed and charged on shore. To charge it on board requires equipment specially designed for marine use.
Grounding And AC Power Cord Connections
This battery charger is intended for use on a nominal 120 V~ circuit. The plug must be plugged into an outlet that is properly installed and grounded in accordance with all local codes and ordinances. The plug pins must fit the receptacle (outlet). Do not use with an ungrounded system.
DANGER
Never alter the AC cord or plug provided – if it does not fit the outlet, have a proper grounded outlet installed by a qualified electrician. An improper connection can result in a risk of an electric shock or electrocution.
NOTICE Pursuant to Canadian Regulations, use of an adapter plug is not allowed in Canada. Use of an adapter plug in the United States is not recommended and should not be used.
Using an Extension Cord
The use of an extension cord is not recommended. If you must use an extension cord, follow these guidelines:
- The pins on the plug of the extension cord must be the same number, size and shape as those of the plug on the charger.
- Ensure that the extension cord is properly wired and in good electrical condition.
- The wire size must be large enough for the AC ampere rating of the charger. as specified:
Control Panel
LED Indicators
NOTICE See the operating instructions for a complete description of the charger modes.
Rate Selection
The charge rate is measured in amps. The charger will automatically adjust the charging current, based on battery size, in order to charge the battery completely, efficiently and safely. Do not use for industrial applications.
Before First Use
- Check for transport damage.
- Remove all cord wraps and uncoil the cables prior to using the battery charger.
DANGER Risk of suffocation!
Keep any packaging materials away from children – these materials are a potential source of danger, e.g. suffocation.
Operation
WARNING A spark near the battery may cause an explosion!
CAUTION Do not start the vehicle with the charger connected to the AC outlet or it may damage the charger and your vehicle.
NOTICE This charger is equipped with an auto start feature. Current will not be supplied to the battery clamps until a battery is properly connected. The clamps will not spark if touched together.
Charging Battery in a Vehicle
- Turn off all the vehicle’s accessories.
- Keep the hood open.
- Clean the battery terminals.
- Place the charger on a dry, non-flammable surface.
- Lay the AC/DC cables away from any fan blades, belts, pulleys and other moving parts.
- Connect the battery, following the precautions listed in previous chapters.
- Connect the charger to an electrical outlet.
- When charging is complete, disconnect the charger from the AC power, remove the clamps from the vehicle’s body and then remove the clamp from the battery terminal.
Charging Battery Outside of a Vehicle
- Place the battery in a well-ventilated area.
- Clean the battery terminals.
- Connect the battery, following the precautions listed in previous chapters.
- Connect the charger to the electrical outlet.
- When charging is complete, disconnect the charger from the AC power, disconnect the negative clamp and finally the positive clamp.
- A marine (boat) battery must be removed and charged on shore
Automatic Charging Mode
In Automatic Charging mode, the charger switches to maintain mode automatically after the battery is charged.
Aborted Charge
If charging cannot be completed normally, charging will abort. When charging aborts, the charger’s output is shut off and the (yellow/orange) LED will flash. Do not continue attempting to charge this battery. Check the battery and replace, if necessary.
Desolation Mode
Desolation could take 8 to 10 hours. If desolation fails, charging will abort and the 
(yellow/orange) LED will flash.
Completion of Charge
Charge completion is indicated by the Charged/Maintaining 
(green) LED. When lit, the charger has switched to maintain operating mode.
Maintain Mode (Float Mode Monitoring)
When the Charged/Maintaining § (green) LED is lit, the charger has entered maintain mode. In this mode, the charger keeps the battery fully charged by delivering a small current when necessary. If the charger has to provide its maximum maintain current for a continuous 12 hour period, it will go into abort mode (see Aborted Charge section). This is usually caused by a drain on the battery or the battery could be bad. Make sure there are no loads on the battery. If there are, remove them. If there are none, have the battery checked or replaced.
Maintaining a Battery
This product charges and maintains both 6 V and 12 V batteries, keeping them at full charge.
NOTICE The maintain mode technology allows you to safely charge and maintain a healthy battery for extended periods of time. However, problems with the battery, electrical problems in the vehicle, improper connections or other unanticipated conditions could cause excessive current draws. As such, occasionally monitoring your battery and the charging process is required.
Cleaning and Maintenance
WARNING Risk of electric shock! Unplug the product before cleaning.
WARNING Risk of electric shock! During cleaning, do not immerse the electrical parts of the product in water or other liguids. Never hold the product under running water.
Cleaning
- Clean the clamps each time you are finished charging. Wipe off any battery fluid that may have come in contact with the clamps to prevent corrosion.
- Occasionally cleaning the case of the charger with a soft cloth will keep the finish shiny and help prevent corrosion.
Maintenance
- A minimal amount of care can keep your battery charger working properly for years.
- Coil the input and output cords neatly when storing the charger. This will help prevent accidental damage to the cords and charger.
- Store the charger unplugged from the AC power outlet in an upright position.
- Store inside in a cool, dry place. Do not store the clamps clipped together, on the handle, on or around metal, or clipped to the cables.
Troubleshooting
Specifications
Battery Charging Times
Feedback and Help
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