Schumacher 85-8100 instruction manual Electrical Condition of the Battery

sheet-metal body parts. Connect to a heavy gauge metal part of frame or engine block. When dis- connecting charger, turn switches to OFF, disconnect AC cord, remove clamp from vehicle chas- sis, and then remove clamp from battery terminal.

9.8For positive-grounded vehicle, connect NEGATIVE (BLACK) clamp from charger to NEGATIVE (NEG., N, –)ungrounded post of battery. Then connect POSITIVE (RED) clamp to vehicle chassis or engine block away from battery. Do not connect clamp to carburetor, fuel lines, or sheet-metal body parts. Connect to a heavy gauge metal part of frame or engine block.

When disconnecting the NAPA Digital Wheel Charger, turn switches to OFF, disconnect AC cord, remove clamp from vehicle chassis, and then remove clamp from battery terminal.

CAUTION: When positive (+) post of vehicle battery is grounded, double-check polarity.

9.9See the Charging Time Chart on the Table of Contents page.

10.FOLLOW THESE STEPS WHEN THE BATTERY IS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. A SPARK NEAR THE BATTERY MAY CAUSE AN EXPLOSION. To reduce THE risk OF A SPARK NEAR THE BATTERY:

If necessary to remove the battery from the vehicle or equipment, always remove the grounded terminal from battery first.

WARNING: Make sure all vehicle loads are OFF to prevent a possible arc.

10.1Check polarity of battery posts. POSITIVE (POS., P, +) post usually has larger diameter than NEGATIVE (NEG., N, –) post.

10.2Attach at least a 24-inch, 6-gauge insulated battery cable to NEGATIVE (NEG., N, –)battery post.

10.3Connect POSITIVE (RED) charger clamp to POSITIVE (POS., P, +) post of battery.

10.4Position yourself, and free end of cable, as far away from battery as possible—do not face battery when making final connection—then connect NEGATIVE (BLACK) charger clamp to free end of cable.

10.5When disconnecting the charger, always do so in reverse sequence of connecting procedure; break first connection while staying as far away from battery as practical.

10.6MARINE “BOAT” BATTERIES MUST BE REMOVED AND CHARGED ON SHORE. To safely charge them on board requires equipment especially designed for marine use.

11. ELECTRICAL CONDITION OF THE BATTERY

11.1The state-of-charge of refillable-top batteries can be checked by using a hydrometer. A hydro- meter is a bulb-type syringe which is used to extract a small quantity of the electrolyte from each battery cell. A float in the hydrometer barrel indicates the specific gravity of the electrolyte. This specific gravity reading indicates the battery’s state-of-charge at a given temperature, as shown in the following table:

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