Schumacher XC103, XC75 Using the Battery Voltage Tester Overview, Volt Battery Battery Condition

Using the Battery Voltage Tester

Overview

This battery charger has a built-in voltmeter to test your battery’s state of charge. The charger does not have a built in load tester. As such, a recently charged battery could have a temporarily high voltage due to what is known as “surface charge.” The voltage of such a battery will gradually drop during the period immediately after the charging system is disengaged. Consequently, the tester could display inconsistent values for such a battery. For a more accurate reading, the surface charge should be removed by temporarily creating a load on the battery, such as by turning on lights or other accessories for a couple of minutes before you read the display. Read it a couple of minutes after you have shut the headlights off.

Testing Sequence: There are four basic steps required to test the battery state of charge:

1.With the charger unplugged from the AC outlet, connect the charger to the battery following the instructions given in sections 6 and 7.

2.Plug the charger AC power cord into the AC outlet, following the instructions given in section 8.

3.If necessary, press the BATTERY TYPE button until the correct type is indicated.

4.Read the voltage on the digital display. Compare the readings to the chart below.

NOTE: After 15 minutes, the charger will automatically switch from tester to charger.

6 Volt Battery	12 Volt Battery	Battery Condition
Voltage Reading	Voltage Reading
6.4 or More	12.8 or More	Charged
6.1 to 6.3	12.2 to 12.7	Needs Charging
Less than 6.1	Less than 12.2	Discharged

Tester and Charger: When first turned on, the unit operates only as a tester, not as a charger. To continue to use it only as a tester, avoid pressing the CHARGE RATE button. Selecting a charge rate activates the battery charger and deactivates the tester. Pressing the CHARGE RATE button when the ENGINE START LED is lit (except during the 180 second cool down) will shut off the charger and activate the tester.

Power-Up Idle Time Limit: If no button is pressed within 15 minutes after the battery charger is first powered up, the charger will automatically switch from tester to charger if a battery is connected. In that case, the charger will be set to the start up default settings.

Testing After Charging: After the unit has been changed from tester to charger (by selecting a charge rate), it remains a charger. To change the battery charger back to a tester, press the CHARGE RATE switch until all charge rate LED’s are off.

Tester Status LEDs: When the unit is operating as a battery tester, the status LEDs light under the following conditions:

•The CHARGED LED will light if a charged battery is tested.

•The CHARGING LED does not light in the battery test mode.

• The connected LED lights when a properly connected battery is detected.

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