Battery Charger/Tester
12 Volt
94088
ASSEMBLY AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
®
3491 MISSION OAKS BLVD., CAMARILLO, CA 93011
VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT HTTP://WWW.HARBORFREIGHT.COM
TO HELP PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY,
READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL WARNINGS
AND INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USE.
©
®
Copyright 2005 by Harbor FreightTools . All rights reserved.No portion of this manual
or any artwork contained herein may be reproduced in any shape or form without the express
written consent of Harbor FreightTools.
For technical questions and replacement parts, please call 1-800-444-3353.
9.
To reduce risk of electric shock, unplug charger from outlet before attempting any
maintenance or cleaning.
10. WARNING - RISK OF EXPLOSIVE GASES.
(a) 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 each time before using your charger, you read this and follow the
instructions exactly.
(b) To reduce the risk of the battery explosion, follow these instructions and those
published by battery manufacturer and manufacturer of any equipment you intend to
use in vicinity of battery. Review cautionary markings on these products and on
engine.
11. PERSONAL PRECAUTIONS
(a) Someone should be within range of your voice, or close enough to come to your aid,
when you work near a lead-acid battery.
(b) Have plenty of fresh water and soap nearby in case battery acid contacts skin, clothing,
or eyes.
(c) Wear complete eye protection and clothing protection. Avoid touching eyes while
working near battery.
(d) If battery acid contacts skin or clothing, wash immediately with soap and water. If
acid enters eye, immediately flood with running cold water for at least 10 minutes
and get medical attention immediately.
(e) NEVER smoke or allow a spark or flame in vicinity of battery or engine.
(f) Be extra cautious to reduce risk of dropping a metal tool onto battery. It might spark
or short-circuit battery or other electrical part that may cause an explosion.
(g) Remove personal metal items such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, and watches
when working near 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.
(h) Use this charger for charging LEAD-ACID batteries only. It is not intended to supply
power to a low voltage electrical system other than in an automotive application. Do
not use 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.
(i) NEVER charge a frozen battery.
12. PREPARING TO CHARGE BATTERY
(a) If it becomes necessary to remove the battery from the vehicle to charge, always
remove grounded terminal from battery first. Make sure all accessories in the vehicle
are off, so as not to cause an arc.
(b) Be sure area around battery is well ventilated while battery is being charged. Gases
can be forcefully blown away, by using a piece of cardboard or other non-metallic
material such as a paper/wood fan.
(c) Clean battery terminals. Be careful to keep corrosion from coming in contact with
eyes.
SKU 94088
For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
Page 3
(d) Add distilled water in each cell until battery acid reaches level specified by battery
manufacturer.This helps purge excessive gas from cells.Do not overfill.For a battery
without cell caps, carefully follow manufacturer’s recharging instructions.
(e) Study all battery manufacturer’s specific precautions such as removing or not
removing cell caps while charging and recommended rates of charge.
(f) Determinate voltage of battery by referring to car owner’s manual and make sure
that output voltage selector switch is set at correct voltage. If charger has adjustable
charge rate, charge battery initially at lowest rate.
13. CHARGER LOCATION
(a) Locate charger as far away from battery as the DC cable permits.
(b) Never place charger directly above battery being charged; gases from battery will
corrode and damage charger.
(c) Never allow battery acid to drip on charger when reading specific gravity or filling
battery.
(d) Do not operate charger in a closed-in area or restrict ventilation in any way.
(e) Do not set a battery on top of charger.
14. DC CONNECTION PRECAUTIONS
(a) Connect and disconnect DC output clips only after setting any charger switches to
off position and removing AC cord from electric outlet. Avoid allowing clips to touch
each other.
(b) Attach clips to battery and chassis as indicated in 15 (e), 15 (f), 16 (b), and 16 (d)
below.
15. Follow these steps when battery is installed in vehicle. A spark near battery may cause
battery explosion.To reduce risk of a spark near battery:
(a) With engine off, position AC and DC cords to reduce the risk of damage by hood,
door, or moving engine parts.
(b) Stay clear of fan blades, belts, pulleys, and other parts that can cause injury to
persons.
(c) Check polarity of battery posts.POSITIVE (POS, P, +) battery post usually has larger
diameter than NEGATIVE (NEG, N, -) post.
(d) Determine which battery post is grounded (connected) to the chassis. If negative
post is grounded to chassis (as in most vehicles), see (e). If the positive post is
grounded to the chassis, see (f).
(e) For negative-grounded vehicle, connect POSITIVE (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 the
carburetor, fuel lines, or sheet-metal body parts. Connect to a heavy gauge metal
part of the frame or engine block.
(f) For positive-grounded vehicle, connect NEGATIVE (BLACK) clip from battery charger
to NEGATIVE (NEG, N, -) ungrounded post of battery. Connect POSITIVE (RED)
clip to vehicle chassis or engine block away from battery. Do not connect clip to the
SKU 94088
For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
Page 4
carburetor, fuel lines, or sheet-metal body parts. Connect to a heavy gauge metal
part of the frame or engine block.
(g) When disconnecting charger, turn switches to off, disconnect AC cord, remove clip
from vehicle chassis, and then remove clip from battery terminal.
(h) See operating instructions for length of charge information.
16. Follow these steps when battery is outside vehicle. A spark near battery may cause
battery explosion.To reduce risk of a spark near battery:
(a) Check polarity of battery posts.POSITIVE (POS, P, +) battery post usually has larger
diameter than NEGATIVE (NEG, N, -) post.
(b) Attach at least a 24-inch-long 6-gauge (AWG) insulated battery cable to NEGATIVE
(NEG, N, -) battery post. Place the other end of this cable on a dry insulating surface,
such as a piece of dry wood.
(c) Connect POSITIVE (RED) charger clip to POSITIVE (POS, P, +) post of battery.
(d) Position yourself and free end of cable as far away from battery as possible- then
connect NEGATIVE (BLACK) charger clip to free end of the cable.
(e) Do not face battery when making final connection.
(f) When disconnecting charger, always do so in the reverse sequence of connecting
procedure and break first connection while as far away from the battery as practical.
(g) A marine (boat) battery must be removed and charged on shore. To charge it on
board requires equipment specially designed for marine use.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
SKU 94088
For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
Page 5
Specific Safety Rules for the Battery Charger
1.
2.
Maintain labels and nameplates on the Battery Charger.These carry important information.
If unreadable or missing, contact Harbor Freight Tools for a replacement.
Always wear safety impact eye goggles and heavy work gloves when using the
Battery Charger. Using personal safety devices reduce the risk for injury. Safety
impact eye goggles and heavy work gloves are available from Harbor Freight
Tools.
3.
Maintain a safe working environment. Keep the work area well lit. Make sure there is
adequate surrounding workspace. Always keep the work area free of obstructions, grease,
oil, trash, and other debris. Do not use a power tool in areas near flammable chemicals,
dusts, and vapors. Do not use this product in a damp or wet location.
4.
5.
Avoid unintentional starting. Make sure you are prepared to begin work before plugging
the Battery Charger.
Always unplug the Battery Charger from its electrical outlet before connecting
its cables to a battery, or performing any inspection, maintenance, or cleaning
procedures.
6.
7.
Keep extension cord off wet ground and away from water.
Use this Battery Charger with lead/acid batteries only. When charging a maintenance-
free battery, always monitor the progress of the charge.Do not over charge a maintenance-
free battery.
8.
9.
Do not attempt to charge non-rechargeable or defective batteries.
Keep connections and cable clamps clean and free from corrosion.
10. Never simultaneously charge several batteries.
11. Do not discard used batteries in the trash. Properly recycle according to local
environmental codes.
12. Do not attempt to charge a 6 volt battery.
13. People with pacemakers should consult their physician(s) before using this product.
Operation of electrical equipment in close proximity to a heart pacemaker could cause
interference to or failure of the pacemaker.
14. This product contains or, when used, produces a chemical known to the State of California
to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.(California Health & Safety
Code § 25249.5, et seq.)
15.
Risk of Explosion!
• If you detect gas, do not switch off the unit. Do not disconnect the charging
clamps. Immediately ventilate the room by opening windows and doors.
Do not switch on an electrical fan.When the air has cleared of gas, unplug
the unit from the electrical outlet.
• Charge the battery in a well-ventilated area.
• To prevent sparking due to electrostatic discharge, never wear clothes made of
synthetic materials when charging the battery.
• Avoid creating or working around any flames or sparks; flames or sparks can
ignite the gasses caused by charging and cause an explosion.
SKU 94088
For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
Page 6
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
1.
2.
When unpacking, check to make sure that the product is intact and undamaged. If any
parts are missing or broken, please call Harbor Freight Tools at the number on the cover
of this manual as soon as possible.
This product comes preassembled. No additional assembly is necessary.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Warning: Do not overcharge maintenance-
free batteries. Do not try to start the engine
with the Battery Charger connected to the
battery.
Front Panel
1.
FOLLOW
ALL
CONNECTION
PRECAUTIONS AS OUTLINED ON
PAGES 4 & 5 OFTHIS MANUAL. Place
the Battery Charger and battery in a well-
ventilated area.
2.
Determine the voltage of the battery from
the battery labels.This device is intended
for use on 12 Volt batteries only
3.
4.
Push the Charge Rate Switch to the
desired amperage.
If charging a battery while in a vehicle,
leave the hood open and do not leave
the charger unattended. Separate the
charger and battery as much as
possible.
Cable Connections
5.
6.
If the battery is not a maintenance-free
type battery, unscrew the cell caps and
fill each cell to the full indicator with
distilled water. Replace caps.
With the Battery Charger unplugged,
connect the positive (red) Cable Clamp
to the positive terminal of the battery.
If charging a battery mounted in a
vehicle, first remove the vehicle’s red
cable from the battery; otherwise damage
may occur to the vehicle’s electrical
system. If in doubt, refer to the vehicle’s
service manual.
Note: Attach cables to
battery before plug-
ging charger in.
(Red)
Positive
Connection Connection
(Black)
Negative
SKU 94088
For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
Page 7
7.
8.
9.
Connect the negative (black) Cable Clamp to the negative terminal of the battery.
Plug the Power Cord into the electrical outlet.
The LEDs on the charging table on the left side of the front panel will indicate the voltage
and charge status of the battery.
Note: If the unit emits a buzzing sound, the cables are connected to the wrong terminals
of the battery. If this happens, immediately switch off the charger, unplug it, and switch
the connections.
10. When the battery is fully charged, the Battery Charger will automatically shut down, and
the green LED will remain lit.
Optionally, only with the battery removed from the vehicle, the Battery Charger can
be left on while connected to the battery. When the battery becomes weak, the Battery
Charger will automatically turn on.When the battery is once again charged, the Battery
Charger will automatically shut off.It will, however, keep sensing the charge of the battery.
Note: Do not leave Battery Charger on for long duration without checking the distilled
water level of the battery; do not allow distilled water to boil off. Note: Do not leave a
charging battery unattended.
11. When finished charging the battery, unplug the Power Cord from the electrical outlet.
12. Disconnect the Cable Clamps from the battery.
MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
Make sure the Power Switch of the Battery Charger is in its “OFF” position
and that the unit is unplugged from its electrical outlet before performing any inspection,
maintenance, or cleaning procedures.
1.
Before each use, inspect the general condition of the Battery Charger. Check for loose
screws, misalignment or binding of moving parts, cracked or broken parts, damaged
electrical wiring, and any other condition that may affect its safe operation. If abnormal
noise or vibration occurs, have the problem corrected before further use. Do not use
damaged equipment.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Periodically recheck all nuts, bolts, and screws for tightness.
After each use wipe down the Cable Clamps and apply a light grease.
Store in a clean and dry location.
FUSE REPLACEMENT: If, for no apparent reason, the charger power LED does not
illuminate, the fuse should be checked. Use needle nose pliers to gently remove the
fuse. Check the fuse and, if needed, replace it only with another 15 amp fuse of the same
type.
6.
REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THIS ITEM.
SKU 94088
For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
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