Arlec BC48 User manual

GUARANTEE
*
Arlec guarantees this product against defects
of materials and workmanship for a period of
24 months from the date of purchase provided
that the product is used in accordance with
Arlec’s recommendations and within such
voltage and current limits as are specified by
Arlec in relation to the product. Arlec will at
its own option make good, replace with the
same
or similar product, or provide credit for any
product manufactured or supplied by it, which
proves to be defective within the limits set out
above provided always that no repairs,
alterations or modifications to the product
have been undertaken or attempted, other
than by
the company or its authorised agents. Should
the purchaser wish to make a claim under the
guarantee, the product should be returned
pre-paid to the place of purchase.
To obtain warranty the purchase receipt must
be returned with the product. This guarantee
is in addition to and does not take away from
any rights available to the consumer under the
Trade Practices Act and the State consumer
protection legislation.
Proof of Purchase
Please retain your receipt for all service or
warranty claims.
4
For all Sales enquiries
Phone [phone] Fax [phone]
CPIN310/2
© This instruction leaflet is subject to copyright and must not be reproduced,
copied or otherwise used in any way or for any purpose without the consent
in writing of the owner, Arlec Australia limited (A.C.N. 003 118 787).
This charger is not to be used by young
children or infirm persons without
supervision. Do not allow young children
to play with the charger.
If the mains cord of this charger is damaged,
it must be replaced only by an Authorised
Service Agent.
LOW MAINTENANCE BATTERIES
The characteristics of low maintenance
batteries are somewhat different from those
of ordinary lead acid batteries.
When fully charged, the low maintenance
battery does not gas so noticeably as
ordinary batteries. Nevertheless, the usual
safety precautions should still be observed.
SPECIFICATIONS
Output voltage: 12V and 24V DC Nominal
Output current: 10A max continuous
40-80mA trickle charge
Protection: Fuse in the
primary circuit
Self-resetting thermal
overloads in primary
and secondary circuits
Electronic sensing
BC48 inst ammended. 8/11/05 3:56 PM Page 1

Instruction Manual
Automatic 10000
Battery Charger
Important! Please read these instructions carefully before use.
BC48
Due to continuous research and development the specifications herein are subject to change without notice.
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2
Arlec Battery Charger BC48 is designed
to charge light, medium and heavy duty
batteries of the type used in motorcycles,
cars, boats, trucks, etc., including tractors
and most other types of farm and industrial
equipment.
Please read these instructions carefully
before using your new battery charger.
In particular, please familiarise yourself
with the safety information beginning on
page 4.
CONTROL PANEL
1. Battery selector switch for 12 volt and
24 volt output voltages.
2. On-off switch
3. Red “standby” indicator
4. Yellow “charging in progress” indicator
5. Green “charged” indicator
CONNECTING THE CHARGER
TO THE BATTERY
1. The output leads are fitted with battery
clips and coloured for easy identification
of polarity. Red for positive (+) battery
terminal. Black for negative (-) Battery
terminal. Connect the clips to the battery
terminals making sure that they bite firmly
and that polarity is correct.
2. Move the battery selector switch to
either 12 volt or 24 volt according to the
type of battery to be charged.
WARNING
1. Always charge batteries in a well
ventilated area remote from inflammable
liquids and gases.
2. Do not use the charger in the rain or
expose it to water from hoses or
sprinklers.
3. Remove the battery filler caps and check
the level of the electrolyte in the cells.
If necessary, top up with distilled water
so that the electrolyte is 6mm above the
top of the plates. (See also section
headed Low Maintenance Batteries on
back page.) Do not replace the filler caps
until the charging programme has been
completed.
4. Ideally, disconnect the battery and
remove from the vehicle before charging.
If this is not practical, ensure that the
battery terminal not connected to the
chassis is connected first to the charger.
The other connection is then made to the
chassis, keeping away from the battery
and fuel line. Only after connecting,
switch on the mains supply to the
charger.
5. After charging, switch off the mains
supply. Then remove the chassis
connection and the battery connection,
in this order.
AUTOMATIC OPERATION
The BC48 incorporates electronic sensing
which automatically initiates charging when
the charge held by the battery is below a
satisfactory level.
After switching on, a discharged battery
in good condition will automatically begin
charging within 5 seconds. The red
“standby” indicator will dim and the yellow
“charging in progress” indicator will
illuminate. The charger will remain in this
mode until the battery is charged. The yellow
indicator will then dim and the green
“charged” indicator will illuminate.
A trickle current will continue to flow through
the battery when green indicator is
illuminated to attain optimum charge level.
PROTECTION
The automatic feature of the charger
prevents batteries from being damaged by
overcharging and provides protection for the
charger against short-circuits and reversed
polarity connections.
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There are self-resetting thermal overloads in
the input and output circuits.
Prolonged charging in excess of the
maximum continuous rating may cause the
thermal overload to operate, switching the
charger output off.
If this occurs, switch off the charger
and allow it to cool. The overload will
automatically reset and allow charging to
continue. However, if the thermal overload
repeatedly operates, it is possible that the
battery is faulty and should be checked with
a hydrometer and/or Arlec Battery Tester
BT831.
The charger is also provided with fuse
protection in the input circuit, which will not
blow in normal operation. If the fuse blows,
replace only with a fuse of identical type
and rating. Repeated fuse blowing indicates
a possible fault in the charger. In these
circumstances, you should contact an
Authorised Service Agent.
BANK CHARGING
Several batteries may be charged
simultaneously by connecting each of them
in parallel with the charger, using separate
jumper leads for the purpose.
Charging time is calculated by adding the
individual capacities of the batteries in the
bank and dividing this sum by the continuous
current rating of the charger.
CHARGING TIMES
In practice batteries will have some residual
charge and will vary in age, condition and
internal resistance, which will alter the
actual charging time.
However as a rough guide, approximate
charging time can be calculated by dividing
the rated capacity of the battery by the
continuous current rating of the charger,
e.g. 46 ampere hour battery requires 6 hours
at 7 amps.
SAFETY INFORMATION
Warning
Working in the vicinity of a lead acid battery
is dangerous due to the emission of explosive
gases. These explosive gases can be ignited
by a spark, cigarette or naked flame such as
a cigarette lighter or matches.
• Keep sparks and naked flames away from
battery at all times.
• Never smoke or light a cigarette near
a battery.
• Take extreme care with metal objects and
tools including items of jewellery such as
rings and watch bands. Metal objects
touching the battery terminals may cause
sparks or serious heat burns to the user
or wearer.
• Do not allow tools to drop on the battery
and never temporarily place tools on top
of a battery.
• When testing or working on or around a
lead acid battery it is advisable to wear
protective eye glasses.
• When testing or charging a lead acid
battery, ensure that the area you are
working in has plenty of ventilation.
Never test or charge a battery in a
confined area.
• Do not use the charger in the rain or
expose it to water from hoses or
sprinklers.
Lead acid batteries contain Sulphuric Acid.
If acid contacts the skin or clothing, flush
immediately with large amounts of water.
In case of accidental eye contact with
battery acid, flush eyes for at least five
minutes with clean water. The eyes should
be submerged under water and kept open.
See a doctor immediately. Do not use eye
drops or other medication unless instructed
by a doctor.
This charger is designed to charge 12 or
24 volt automotive lead-acid batteries
of capacity in the range 40 to 160 amp-hours.
Do not attempt to charge batteries of other
types.
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