Granite Digital Save A Battery 1295 User manual

New Save A Battery Manual 8/6/09 3:29 PM Page 1

Table of Contents Page
Caution & Safety Instructions
How to be safe when working with batteries 3-4
Product Features & Layout
Description of all the LED’s, LCD, Connectors, etc. 5-7
Connecting to the Battery
Temporary with Alligator Clips 8
Permanent on Battery Terminals 9
Cigarette Lighter Connections 10
Charging a Battery
The different types & states of battery charge (4 Stages) 11
How to rejuvenate a weak battery 12
Maintaining a Battery
How to keep a battery in good health 13
Monitoring a Battery
How the Alarm Monitoring System works 14
Load Testing a Battery
How to figure out if the battery is good or bad 15
Checking the Charging System
How to connect to an alternator or generator 16
Using the Voltmeter for Testing
Testing the 12 volt electrical system 17
Battery Basics and Tutorial
How a battery is constructed
and what makes it work 18-19
Mounting the Charger / Maintainer / Tester
Wall mounting vs. vehicle mounting 20
Specifications 21
Warranty & Service 22
New Save A Battery Manual 8/6/09 3:29 PM Page 2

Granite Digital •3101 Whipple Rd. •Union City, Ca. 94587 •www.saveabattery.com
Batteries give off Hydrogen... it’s Explosive ! - READ ME FIRST !
When dealing with any lead acid battery, eye protection should be worn.
Batteries are dangerous, they give off Hydrogen gas, if their posts are shorted
sparks, a fire, or explosions can occur, they should be treated with a lot of
respect. If you are not experienced please ask for advice before connecting
our charger / maintainer... and before removing the battery.
WARNING - Good ventilation is advised. If you are working with a battery
that is still mounted on or in the vehicle make sure you place the charger
away from the battery itself. Do not expose the charger or maintainer to
rain, snow, or high heat. If used outside it should be in a dry cool location.
If the battery is removed from the vehicle, find a safe ventilated non-flamma-
ble location such as a metal work bench. Never have flammable materials,
matches, lighters, cigarettes or other ignitable sources near the battery and
charger.
WARNING - Sparks. fire or an explosion can occur if the battery terminals
are shorted. When removing a battery from a vehicle extra care should be
taken when disconnecting the terminals. Most 12 volt vehicles are negative
(-) ground. The negative terminal should be removed first. This helps in pre-
venting a short between your wrench and the positive terminal. If the
wrench accidentally touches any metal a direct short can be catastrophic. By
disconnecting the negative (-) or ground lead first this eliminates the potential
of a direct short from your wrench. Use extra caution when moving a bat-
tery, should the battery drop it can rupture and emit sulfuric acid which is
extremely dangerous. Make sure all accessories are turned off to prevent a
spark when removing the terminals.
WARNING - The Save A Battery™ come with 10’ AC Power Cord. If pos-
sible do not use extension cords in conjunction with these charger's. If an
extension cord is necessary we recommend using the Save A Battery™
Extension cord which is heavy duty enough to supply the proper voltage to
our units. All other extension cords need to be a minimum of 18 AWG wire
size with a length limit of 100 feet.
Caution & Safety Instructions Page 3
New Save A Battery Manual 8/6/09 3:29 PM Page 3

Granite Digital •3101 Whipple Rd. •Union City, Ca. 94587 •www.saveabattery.com
WARNING - Use the Save A Battery™ Charger / Maintainer with 12 volt
Lead Acid, VRLA, AGM, or Gel type batteries designed for automotive type
uses. Other Save A Battery™ models support 6v, 24v, 36v and 48v and are
marked with their voltage on the front label of the product. Do not use our
products on any other voltage battery than what is stated on the front label.
Connect the AC power first then connect the battery connection. Monitor
the RED Fault LED on the unit and should it come on disconnect the battery
immediately. Battery size should be between 15Ah and 300Ah.
WARNING - Do not cover the battery or the Save A Battery™ Charger /
Maintainer. Covering either can result in a fire or damage the charger. Both
the battery and the charger need to be well
ventilated.
WARNING - Make sure the battery terminals are clean, if necessary use a
battery post cleaner tool to remove corrosion and oxidation before connecting
the charger's clip-on terminals. Bad connections can create heat, sparks, and
prevent the battery from getting charged properly. Loose connections can
also fall off leaving the battery uncharged.
WARNING - Remove all jewelry or other metal objects that can short out
the battery and create damage or injury. Battery ACID (sulfuric) is dangerous.
If it comes in contact with your eyes, clothing, or skin water and soap should
be used immediately. Get medical attention.
WARNING - Do not connect the charger / maintainer when engine is run-
ning. keep wires, connectors away from all movable parts like the fan, fan
belt, alternator, generator, etc. Do not connect the charger / maintainer if you
are going to start the engine. Remove it from the engine compartment and
make sure all cables are free from moving parts.
WARNING - Do not disassemble the charger / maintainer for any reason.
If the charger has been dropped or if the case has been cracked send it back
to us for repair or replacement. If the cord gets damage or cut do not use the
charger, replacement cords are available.
Page 4 Caution & Safety Instructions
New Save A Battery Manual 8/6/09 3:29 PM Page 4

Granite Digital •3101 Whipple Rd. •Union City, Ca. 94587 •www.saveabattery.com
Product Features and Layout Page 5
Charger Maintainer Tester Rejuvenator Alarm Monitor
This product supports a variety of functions covered in other sections of
this manual. Mounting or locating a place for the charger is the first thing to
do. Please read the Warnings before using it. For basic use, first find a AC
outlet to plug it into, then choose the type of connection to the battery and
when connecting check that the Battery LED comes on and that the Fault
LED does not. This indicates that the charger has found a battery and it
thinks it can charge it. If the Fault LED comes on... check the polarity of the
wires... if they are correct then the battery is not capable of being recharged.
The Status LED flashes when charging is taking place and comes on solid
when the charger switches into maintenance and rejuvenation mode. The
Power LED indicates that AC Power is present. The LCD Display switch turns
on/off the LCD display but charging continues. The Load Tester turns on/off
the built-in load. This should be off unless discharging the battery or cycling of
the battery is being preformed. Low Voltage Alarm monitors the battery status.
Status LED indicates the
charging mode by flashing
at different intervals.
Battery LED indicates when the
battery is connected properly.
Low Voltage Alarm monitors the voltage of a battery
has and sounds before it is damaged by discharging too much.
No need to plug Save A Battery into AC power until the Low
Voltage Alarm sounds. It uses so little power while connected
that it can monitor the battery condition indefinitely.
Fault LED indicates a
failure due to reverse
polarity, incorrect
battery voltage or a
bad battery.
LCD Display can be
turned off while
charging or
maintaining for
long term storage.
Load Tester can check the
capabilities and life of any
battery. It can also be used
to cycle a battery, bringing it
back to life.
Gold Modular
Cable to
Battery or
Test Probe.
AC Power-In Cable
to wall outlet.
New Save A Battery Manual 8/6/09 3:29 PM Page 5

Granite Digital •3101 Whipple Rd. •Union City, Ca. 94587 •www.saveabattery.com
Page 6 Product Features and Layout
Charger Maintainer Conditioner
This product supports a variety of functions covered in other sections of
this manual. Mounting or locating a place for the charger is the first thing to
do. Please read the Warnings before using it. For basic use, first find a AC
outlet to plug it into, then choose the type of connection to the battery and
when connecting check that the Battery LED comes on and that the Fault
LED does not. This indicates that the charger has found a battery and it
thinks it can charge it. If the Fault LED comes on... check the polarity of the
wires... if they are correct then the battery is not capable of being recharged.
The Status LED flashes when charging is taking place and comes on solid
when the charger switches into maintenance and conditioning mode. The
Power LED indicates that AC Power is present.
Status LED indicates
the charging mode
by flashing at
different intervals.
Battery LED indicates when the
battery is connected properly.
Fault LED indicates a failure due to reverse
polarity, incorrect battery voltage or a bad battery.
Gold Modular
Cable to Battery.
AC Power-In Cable
to wall outlet.
Power LED indicates that AC
Power is being provided.
Front Label indicates the voltage
of the battery / batteries that are
supported by this model.
New Save A Battery Manual 8/6/09 3:29 PM Page 6

Granite Digital •3101 Whipple Rd. •Union City, Ca. 94587 •www.saveabattery.com
Product Features and Layout Page 7
Tester Alarm Monitor Voltmeter
The Tester can be used remotely or it can be mounted on a wall and
used in conjunction with most chargers and maintainers on the market. It
adds diagnostic capabilities to any companion charger or maintainer. As a
stand alone Voltmeter it can be used to diagnose the electrical system of a
vehicle or the charging system including the generator or alternator. It’s
Alarm monitoring capabilities allows it to be connected to any 12 volt battery
and monitor it’s condition. By simply installing this onto a battery when the
time comes to recharge the battery the Alarm will go off. This happens
when the voltage goes too low and before damage can occur to the battery.
The Load Tester allows unit to measure the capabilities of a battery by put-
ting a small load onto the battery plates and slowly discharging the battery.
This provides a way of slowly cycling a battery from discharged to charged
which can help to bring it back to life.
Low Voltage Alarm monitors the voltage that a battery
has and sounds an alarm before it is damaged by discharging
too much. No need to plug Save A Battery into AC power until
the Low Voltage Alarm sounds. It uses so little power while
connected that it can monitor the battery condition indefinitely.
LCD Display can be turned off while
monitoring, charging or maintaining
for long term storage.
Load Tester can check the
capabilities and life of any
battery. It can also be used
to cycle a battery, bringing it
back to life.
Gold Modular
Cable to
Battery or
Test Probe.
Gold Modular
Cable to other
Charger or
Maintainer or
Test Probe.
New Save A Battery Manual 8/6/09 3:29 PM Page 7

Granite Digital •3101 Whipple Rd. •Union City, Ca. 94587 •www.saveabattery.com
Page 8 Connecting to The Battery
Alligator Clip-on Cable
The Alligator Clip-on Cable connects directly to the battery post. It is
the most common way of connecting a battery charger to a battery for
temporary use. The only negative that this clip-on cable has is the fact that it
can be disconnected if the cable gets pulled our caught. It is not the best
approach for long term maintenance applications. Before connecting make
sure that the battery charger is plugged in and the Power LED is on. As you
connect to the terminals watch the Battery and Fault LEDs on the charger or
maintainer. If connected properly to a battery that is chargeable, the Battery
LED will come on and the Fault LED will not. If this does not happen there is
either a problem with reverse polarity, a non-chargeable battery, or a short
circuit. Disconnect the alligator chip-ons immediately.
We offer two lengths, both 6’ and 20’, additionally you can run up to
30’ total cable length on any of our systems so our extension cables can be
used to make the cable run longer if need be.
Make sure that battery terminals are clean and that the clip-on
connectors are making good contact and are firmly attached to the battery
posts.
Battery Alligator Clip-on or
12 volt alternate source
3752 6’
3515 20’
Bright Yellow Heavy Duty
Wire is used to help prevent
accidental unplugs.
Dust Shield and Gold Contacts
help prevent oxidation in harsh
environments.
New Save A Battery Manual 8/6/09 3:29 PM Page 8

Granite Digital •3101 Whipple Rd. •Union City, Ca. 94587 •www.saveabattery.com
Connecting to The Battery Page 9
Battery Terminal Lug Cable
The Battery Terminal Lug Cable connects directly to the battery post
using the existing nut and bolt that holds the terminal in place. This is a per-
manent connection and should be done with care. Always remove the
ground terminal first. Leave this terminal disconnected as you work with the
positive terminal. After the Terminal Lug has been installed on the positive
post then connect the negative. After connecting the wires turn on the bat-
tery charger and monitor that the Power LED comes on. Next, watch the
Battery and Fault LEDs on the charger or maintainer. If connected properly to
a battery that is chargeable, the Battery LED will come on and the Fault LED
will not. If this does not happen there is either a problem with reverse
polarity, a non-chargeable battery, or a short circuit. Disconnect the charger
and inspect the cable immediately.
We offer two lengths, both 2’ and 6’, additionally you can run up to
30’ total cable length on any of our systems so our extension cables can be
used to make the cable run longer if need be.
The in-line 5 amp fuse is designed to protect the charger and battery
from accidental short circuits.
Bright Yellow Heavy Duty
Wire is used to help prevent
accidental unplugs.
Dust Shield and Gold Contacts
help prevent oxidation in harsh
environments.
2120 2’
2087 6’
Battery Terminal or
12 volt alternate source
5 amp In-line Fuse
protects charger
and battery from
accidental shorts.
New Save A Battery Manual 8/6/09 3:29 PM Page 9

Granite Digital •3101 Whipple Rd. •Union City, Ca. 94587 •www.saveabattery.com
Page 10 Connecting to The Battery
Cigarette Lighter or Auxiliary Power Cable
The Cigarette Lighter or Auxiliary Power Cable connects to a vehicles
built-in cigarette lighter connection or auxiliary input connector. Most of
these connectors are on all the time and by simply plugging in our cable the
battery will be charged and maintained. To test, first plug the charger or
maintainer into AC power. Turn off the key then look at the Battery LED on
the charger or maintainer and the LCD display on the Tester. These should all
stay on when the key is turned off. Next, watch the Battery and Fault LEDs
on the charger or maintainer, if connected properly to a battery that is
chargeable, the Battery LED will come on and the Fault LED will not. If this
does not happen there is either a problem with reverse polarity, a non-
chargeable battery, or a short circuit. Disconnect the charger and inspect the
cable immediately.
We offer two lengths, both 6’ and 20’, additionally you can run up to
30’ total cable length on any of our systems so our extension cables can be
used to make the cable run longer if need be.
Bright Yellow Heavy Duty
Wire is used to help prevent
accidental unplugs.
Dust Shield and Gold Contacts
help prevent oxidation in harsh
environments.
Cigarette Lighter or
Auxiliary Power Socket
1310 6’
1919 20’
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