Schumacher SP3 User manual

0099001289-01
Model / Modelo: SP3
OWNER’S MANUAL
MANUAL DEL USUARIO
Automatic Battery Charger/Maintainer
Cargador de Baterías Automático/Mantenedor
Voltage / Tensión: 6, 12
Amperage/ Amperaje: 3
DO NOT RETURN THIS PRODUCT TO THE STORE!
Call Customer Service for assistance: 800-621-5485
¡NO LO DEVUELVA ESTE PRODUCTO A LA TIENDA!
Llame a Servicios al Cliente para asistencia: 800-621-5485
READ THE ENTIRE MANUAL BEFORE USING THIS
PRODUCT. FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT
IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
LEA EL MANUAL COMPLETO ANTES DE UTILIZAR ESTE
PRODUCTO. CUALQUIER FALLA PODRÍA RESULTAR EN
SERIAS LESIONES O PODRÍA SER MORTAL.

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IMPORTANT: READ AND SAVE THIS SAFETY AND INSTRUCTION
MANUAL.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS – This manual will show you
how to use your charger/maintainer safely and effectively. Please
read, understand and follow these instructions and precautions
carefully, as this manual contains important safety and operating
instructions. The safety messages used throughout this manual
contain a signal word, a message and an icon.
The signal word indicates the level of the hazard in a situation.
Indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if
not avoided, will result in death or serious injury to the
operator or bystanders.
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, could result in death or serious injury to the
operator or bystanders.
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, could result in moderate or minor injury to the
operator or bystanders.
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, could result in damage to the equipment or
vehicle or property damage.
Pursuant to California Proposition 65, this product contains
chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer
and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands
after handling.
1. IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS –
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
This manual contains important safety and operating instructions.
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK OR FIRE.
1.1 Keep out of reach of children.
1.2 Do not expose the charger to rain
or snow.

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1.3 Use only recommended attachments. Use of an attachment not
recommended or sold by the battery charger manufacturer may
result in a risk of re, electric shock or injury to persons or damage
to property.
1.4 To reduce the risk of damage to the electric plug or cord, pull by
the plug rather than the cord when disconnecting the charger.
1.5 An extension cord should not be used unless absolutely necessary.
Use of an improper extension cord could result in a risk of re and
electric shock. If an extension cord must be used, make sure:
• That the pins on the plug of the extension cord are the same
number, size and shape as those of the plug on the charger.
• That the extension cord is properly wired and in good
electrical condition.
• That the wire size is large enough for the AC ampere rating of
the charger as specied in section 8.
1.6 To reduce the risk of electric shock, unplug the charger from the
outlet before attempting any maintenance or cleaning. Simply
turning off the controls will not reduce this risk.
1.7 Do not operate the charger with a damaged cord or plug; have the
cord or plug replaced immediately by a qualied service person.
1.8 Do not operate the charger if it has received a sharp blow, been
dropped or otherwise damaged in any way; take it to a qualied
service person.
1.9 Do not disassemble the charger; take it to a qualied service
person when service or repair is required. Incorrect reassembly
may result in a risk of re or electric shock.
RISK OF EXPLOSIVE GASES.
1.10 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 YOU FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS EACH
TIME YOU USE THE CHARGER.
1.11 To reduce the risk of a battery explosion, follow these instructions
and those published by the battery manufacturer and the
manufacturer of any equipment you intend to use in the vicinity

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of the battery. Review the cautionary markings on these products
and on the engine.
1.12 This charger employs parts, such as relays and circuit breakers,
that tend to produce arcs and sparks. If used in a garage, locate
this charger 18 inches or more above oor level.
2. PERSONAL PRECAUTIONS
RISK OF EXPLOSIVE GASES.
2.1 NEVER smoke or allow a spark or ame in the
vicinity of a battery or engine.
2.2 Remove personal metal items such as rings,
bracelets, necklaces and watches when working with 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.
2.3 Be extra cautious, to reduce the risk of dropping a metal tool
onto the battery. It might spark or short-circuit the battery or other
electrical part that may cause an explosion.
2.4 Use this charger for charging LEAD-ACID and AGM batteries
only. It is not intended to supply power to a low voltage electrical
system other than in a starter-motor application. Do not use this
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.
2.5 NEVER charge a frozen battery.
2.6 Consider having someone nearby to come to your aid when you
work near a lead-acid battery.
2.7 Have plenty of fresh water and soap nearby in case battery acid
contacts your skin, clothing or eyes.
2.8 Wear complete eye and body protection, including safety goggles
and protective clothing. Avoid touching your eyes while working
near the battery.
2.9 If battery acid contacts your skin or clothing, immediately wash
the area with soap and water. If acid enters your eye, immediately
ood the eye with cold running water for at least 10 minutes and
get medical attention right away.
2.10 If battery acid is accidentally swallowed, drink milk, the whites of
eggs or water. DO NOT induce vomiting. Seek medical attention
immediately.

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3. PREPARING TO CHARGE
RISK OF CONTACT WITH BATTERY ACID.
BATTERY ACID IS A HIGHLY CORROSIVE
SULFURIC ACID.
3.1 If it is necessary to remove the battery
from the vehicle to charge it, always remove
the grounded terminal rst. Make sure all of the accessories in the
vehicle are off to prevent arcing.
3.2 Be sure the area around the battery is well ventilated while the
battery is being charged.
3.3 Clean the battery terminals before charging the battery. During
cleaning, keep airborne corrosion from coming into contact
with your eyes, nose and mouth. Use baking soda and water to
neutralize the battery acid and help eliminate airborne corrosion.
Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
3.4 Add distilled water to each cell until the battery acid reaches the
level specied by the battery manufacturer. Do not overll. For
a battery without removable cell caps, such as valve regulated
lead acid batteries (VRLA), carefully follow the manufacturer’s
recharging instructions.
3.5 Read, understand and follow all instructions for the charger,
battery, vehicle and any equipment used near the battery
and charger. Study all of the battery manufacturer’s specic
precautions while charging and recommended rates of charge.
3.6 Determine the voltage of the battery by referring to the vehicle
owner’s manual.
3.7 Make sure that the charger cable clips make tight connections.
4. CHARGER LOCATION
RISK OF EXPLOSION AND
CONTACT WITH BATTERY ACID.
4.1 Locate the charger as far
away from the battery as the DC
cables permit.
4.2 Never place the charger directly above the battery being charged;
gases from the battery will corrode and damage the charger.

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4.3 Do not set the battery on top of the charger.
4.4 Never allow battery acid to drip onto the charger when reading the
electrolyte specic gravity or lling the battery.
4.5 Do not operate the charger in a closed-in area or restrict the
ventilation in any way.
5. DC CONNECTION PRECAUTIONS
5.1 Connect and disconnect the DC output clips only after removing
the AC plug from the electrical outlet.
5.2 Attach the clips to the battery and chassis, as indicated in sections
6 and 7.
6. FOLLOW THESE STEPS WHEN BATTERY IS INSTALLED
IN VEHICLE.
A SPARK NEAR THE BATTERY
MAY CAUSE A BATTERY
EXPLOSION. TO REDUCE
THE RISK OF A SPARK NEAR
THE BATTERY:
6.1 Position the AC and DC cables to reduce the risk of damage by
the hood, door and moving or hot engine parts. NOTE: If it is
necessary to close the hood during the charging process, ensure
that the hood does not touch the metal part of the battery clips or
cut the insulation of the cables.
6.2 Stay clear of fan blades, belts, pulleys and other parts that can
cause injury.
6.3 Check the polarity of the battery posts. The POSITIVE (POS, P, +)
battery post usually has a larger diameter than the NEGATIVE
(NEG, N, -) post.
6.4 Determine which post of the battery is grounded (connected) to
the chassis. If the negative post is grounded to the chassis (as in
most vehicles), see step 6.5. If the positive post is grounded to the
chassis, see step 6.6.
6.5 For a negative-grounded vehicle, connect the POSITIVE (RED)
clip from the battery charger to the POSITIVE (POS, P, +)
ungrounded post of the battery. Connect the NEGATIVE (BLACK)
clip to the vehicle chassis or engine block away from the battery.
Do not connect the clip to the carburetor, fuel lines or sheet-metal

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body parts. Connect to a heavy gauge metal part of the frame or
engine block.
6.6 For a positive-grounded vehicle, connect the NEGATIVE (BLACK)
clip from the battery charger to the NEGATIVE (NEG, N, -)
ungrounded post of the battery. Connect the POSITIVE (RED)
clip to the vehicle chassis or engine block away from the battery.
Do not connect the clip to the carburetor, fuel lines or sheet-metal
body parts. Connect to a heavy gauge metal part of the frame or
engine block.
6.7 Connect the charger AC supply cord to electrical outlet.
6.8 When disconnecting the charger, disconnect the AC cord, remove
the clip from the vehicle chassis and then remove the clip from the
battery terminal.
7. FOLLOW THESE STEPS WHEN BATTERY IS OUTSIDE
THE VEHICLE.
A SPARK NEAR THE BATTERY
MAY CAUSE A BATTERY
EXPLOSION. TO REDUCE THE
RISK OF A SPARK NEAR THE
BATTERY:
7.1 Check the polarity of the battery posts. The POSITIVE (POS, P, +)
battery post usually has a larger diameter than the NEGATIVE
(NEG, N, -) post.
7.2 Attach at least a 24-inch (61 cm) long 6-gauge (AWG) (13.29 mm2)
insulated battery cable to the NEGATIVE (NEG, N, -) battery post.
7.3 Connect the POSITIVE (RED) charger clip to the POSITIVE
(POS, P, +) post of the battery.
7.4 Position yourself and the free end of the cable you previously
attached to the NEGATIVE (NEG, N, -) battery post as far away
from the battery as possible – then connect the NEGATIVE
(BLACK) charger clip to the free end of the cable.
7.5 Do not face the battery when making the nal connection.
7.6 Connect charger AC supply cord to electrical outlet.
7.7 When disconnecting the charger, always do so in the reverse
order of the connecting procedure and break the rst connection
while as far away from the battery as practical.

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7.8 A marine (boat) battery must be removed and charged on shore.
To charge it onboard requires equipment specially designed for
marine use.
8. GROUNDING AND AC POWER CORD CONNECTIONS
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK OR FIRE.
8.1 This battery charger is for use on a
nominal 120-volt circuit. The plug must
be plugged into an outlet that is properly
installed and grounded in accordance with all
local codes and ordinances. The plug pins must t the receptacle
(outlet). Do not use with an ungrounded system.
8.2 Never alter the AC cord or plug provided – if it does
not t the outlet, have a proper grounded outlet installed by a
qualied electrician. An improper connection can result in a risk of
an electric shock or electrocution. NOTE: Pursuant to Canadian
Regulations, use of an adapter plug is not allowed in Canada. Use
of an adapter plug in the United States is not recommended and
should not be used.
8.3 Recommended minimum AWG size for extension cord:
• 100 feet (30.5 meters) long or less – use an 18 gauge
(0.82 mm2) extension cord.
• Over 100 feet (30.5 meters) long – use a 16 gauge (1.31 mm2)
extension cord.
9. ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
Remove all cord wraps and uncoil the cables prior to using the
battery charger.

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10. FEATURES/CONTROL PANEL
3
5
1
2
1. Battery Status LEDs
2. AC Power cord
3. Quick-Connect Battery Clamp
Cable Assembly
4. Quick-Connect Cable
with Fuse
5. Cord Set w/12V Cigarette
Adapter
4
10.1 Digital Display
The digital display gives a digital indication of the status of the
battery and charger. See the TROUBLESHOOTING section for a
complete list of messages.
10.2 LED Display
CHARGING (yellow) LED lit: Indicates the charger is charging
the battery.
CHARGED (green) LED lit: Indicates the battery is fully charged
and the charger is in maintain mode.
11. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
This battery charger must be properly assembled in
accordance with the assembly instructions before it is used.
The charger does not have an ON/OFF switch. Plug the SP3 into
a 120V AC electrical wall outlet only after battery connections
have been made.
NOTE: This charger is equipped with an auto-start feature. It will
not supply current to the battery clips until a battery is properly
connected. The clips will not spark if touched together.

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Charging
1. Ensure that all of the charger components are in place and in
good working condition, for example, the plastic boots on the
battery clips.
2. Connect the battery following the connection instructions
described in Using the Quick-Connect Cable Connectors section.
3. Connect the AC power following the precautions listed in
section 8.
4. When the charger starts, the display will show “ANALYZING
BATTERY” while the charger determines if the battery is properly
connected, the condition of the battery and whether it is a 6 volt
or 12 volt battery. If everything is good, the charger will start
charging; the CHARGING (yellow) LED will be lit and the display
will show “CHARGING 12V (or 6V) and the Battery Percentage
of Charge”. If the charger determines there is a problem, the
display will show what the problem is. Either correct the problem
or have the battery checked/replaced.
Using the Quick-Connect Cable Connectors
Connect any of the three output cable assemblies to the charger
in a matter of seconds. Make sure to place the charger on a dry,
non-ammable surface.
Never connect the clamp and ring terminal connectors
together for use in other applications, such as external battery or
other power source charging, or to extend the output cable length,
as reverse polarity and/or overcharge conditions will occur.
50 Amp Battery Clips
1. Connect the end of the charger output cable to the end of the
50 Amp Battery clips cable.
2. Follow the steps in sections 6 and 7 to connect the output clips
to the battery.
3. After a good electrical connection is made to the battery, plug
the power cord into a grounded 120V AC electrical wall outlet.
Quick-Connect Cable with Fuse
The ring connectors permanently attach to the battery, providing easy
access to quickly connect the charger to your battery. This application
is appropriate for motorcycles, lawn tractors, ATVs and snowmobiles.