Schumacher SPEEDCHARGE 300A User manual

CAUTION:
Read all Safety Rules and Operating Instructions,
and follow them with each use of this product.
0099000507/1205
OWNER’S MANUAL
Schumacher Electric Corporation
Mount Prospect, IL 60056 U.S.A.
Model 300A
For 12-Volt Lead-Acid Batteries
SpeedCharge
™
Fully Automatic
3 Amp Battery Charger/
Maintainer with
Float-Mode Monitoring
SEND WARRANTY PRODUCT REPAIRS TO:
Customer Service Returns
P.O. Box 280,1025 E. Thompson, Hoopeston, IL 60942-0280
Questions? Call Customer Service: 1-800-621-5485

2
SAVE THIS OWNER’S MANUAL AND READ BEFORE EACH USE.
Model 300A, Fully Automatic Battery Charger offers features to accommodate the
needs for home or light commercial use. This manual will explain how to use the char-
ger safely and effectively. Please read and follow these instructions and precautions
carefully.
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are de-
signed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential
installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy
and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interfer-
ence will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the
equipment on and off, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one
or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver
is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio technician for help.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ................................................................... 3
PERSONAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ...................................................................... 4
BEFORE USING YOUR BATTERY CHARGER ........................................................ 5
Plugging It In ......................................................................................................... 5
Using An Extension Cord ...................................................................................... 5
Battery Clamps...................................................................................................... 5
12v Accessory Plug ............................................................................................... 5
Ring Connectors.................................................................................................... 5
USING YOUR BATTERY CHARGER ......................................................................... 6
PREPARING YOUR BATTERY TO BE CHARGED .................................................. 6
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS ................................................................................... 7
Charging Battery In The Vehicle............................................................................ 7
Charging Battery Removed From The Vehicle...................................................... 8
MAINTENANCE AND CARE ..................................................................................... 8
BATTERY PERCENT AND CHARGE TIME............................................................... 9
LIMITED WARRANTY ............................................................................................... 9
TABLE OF CONTENTS

3
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
This manual contains important safety
and operating instructions for battery
charger Model 300A.
• WARNING: Handling the cord on this
product or cords associated with ac-
cessories sold with this product, will
expose you to lead, a chemical known
to the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Wash hands after
handling.
• Read all instructions and cautions
printed on the battery charger, battery,
and vehicle or equipment using bat-
tery.
• Use charger only on lead-acid type
rechargeable batteries, such as those
used in cars, trucks, tractors, air-
planes, vans, RVs, trolling motors, etc.
This charger is not intended to supply
power to a low voltage electrical
system other than in a starter-motor
application.
• Never use charger for charging dry
cell batteries that are commonly used
with home appliances like radios, ste-
reos, remote controls, etc. These bat-
teries may burst and cause personal
injury.
• Do not disassemble charger. Take it
to a qualied service professional if
service or repair is required. Incorrect
assembly may result in re or electri-
cal shock.
WARNING – RISK OF EXPLOSIVE GASES
WORKING IN VICINITY OF A LEAD-ACID BATTERY IS DANGEROUS. BAT-
TERIES GENERATE EXPLOSIVE GASES DURING NORMAL BATTERY OP-
ERATION. FOR THIS REASON, IT IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE THAT EACH
TIME BEFORE USING YOUR CHARGER, YOU READ THIS MANUAL AND
FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS EXACTLY.
To reduce risk of battery explosion, follow these instructions and those published by
battery manufacturer and manufacturer of any equipment you intend to use in vicinity
of battery. Review cautionary markings on these products and on engine.
• To reduce risk of electrical shock,
unplug the charger from the 120V AC
electrical wall outlet before attempting
any maintenance or cleaning.
• Always charge battery in a well-venti-
lated area.
• WARNING: Battery chargers get hot
during operation and must have prop-
er ventilation. Air needs to ow around
entire charger. Do not set charger on
ammable materials like carpeting,
upholstery, paper, cardboard, etc.
Charger may damage leather, plastic
and rubber.
HELP US HELP YOU ——
Remember:
Place charger as far away from the
battery being charged as the charger
cables will permit.
Do not expose charger to rain or snow.
Never charge a frozen battery. If battery
uid (electrolyte) becomes frozen, bring
battery into a warm area to allow battery
to thaw before you begin charging.
Never allow battery acid to drip on
charger when reading specic gravity or
lling battery.
Never set a battery on top of charger.
Never place charger directly above
battery being charged. The gases from
the battery will corrode and damage the
charger.

4
Never touch the battery clamps together
when the charger is on. You could cause
a spark.
Never operate charger if it has received
a hard blow, been dropped, or otherwise
damaged. Take it to a qualied profes-
sional for inspection and repair.
Be sure to position the charger power
cord to prevent it from being stepped on,
tripped over, or damaged.
Never pull out the plug by the cord when
unplugging the charger. Pulling on the
cord may cause damage to the cord or
the plug.
Do not operate the charger if it has a
damaged power cord or plug. Have the
cord replaced.
Connect and disconnect DC clamps
only after removing charger AC power
cord from the wall outlet. Do not permit
clamps to touch each other.
PERSONAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
• Wear complete eye and clothing
protection when working with lead-
acid batteries.
• Make sure that someone is within
range of your voice to come to your
aid if needed while you work with or
are near a lead-acid battery.
• Have plenty of fresh water and
soap nearby for use in case battery
acid contacts your eyes, skin, or cloth-
ing. If this happens, wash immediately
with soap and water. Then get medical
attention.
• Avoid touching your eyes while
working with a battery. Wear safety
glasses. Acid particles (corrosion)
may get into your eyes. If this occurs,
ush eyes immediately with running
cold water for at least 15 minutes. Then
immediately get medical attention.
• Never charge a frozen battery.
• Remove personal metal items such
as rings, bracelets, necklaces and
watches when working near a lead
acid battery.
• Use the charger for charging a lead-
acid battery only. It is not intended to
supply power to a low-voltage electri-
cal system other than in an automo-
tive application. Do not use battery
charger for charging dry cell batteries
that are commonly used with home
appliances. These batteries may burst
and cause injury to persons or dam-
age to property.
• Remove all personal metal items
from your body such as rings, brace-
lets, necklaces and watches, while
working with a lead-acid battery. A
battery can produce a short circuit
current high enough to weld a ring (or
the like) to metal, causing a severe
burn.
• Take care not to drop any metal tool
or metal object onto the battery. This
may result in a spark or short circuit
across the battery or another electri-
cal device that may cause an explo-
sion.
• Always operate the battery charger in
an open, well-ventilated area.
• Never smoke or allow a spark or
ame in the vicinity of the battery or
engine. Batteries generate explosive
gases.
• Neutralize any acid spills thoroughly
with baking soda before attempting to
clean up.
• If necessary to remove battery from
vehicle to charge, always remove
grounded terminal from the battery
rst. Make sure all accessories in the
vehicle are off, so as not to cause an
arc.

5
BEFORE USING YOUR BATTERY CHARGER
It is important to understand the charger’s requirements. This section explains the
charger’s electrical requirements and how to prepare a battery for charging.
PLUGGING IT IN
Your charger requires a 120V AC electri-
cal outlet installed according to all local
codes and ordinances.
USING AN EXTENSION CORD
The use of an extension cord is not
recommended. If you must use an ex-
tension cord, please make sure that you
follow these guidelines:
• Make sure that pins on plug of exten-
sion cord are the same number, size,
and shape as those of plug on charger.
• Check that the extension cord is
properly wired and in good electrical
condition.
• Make sure that the wire size is large
enough for its length and for the AC
ampere rating, as specied in the
chart below.
MINIMUM RECOMMENDED EXTENSION CORD
Length of Cord, in Feet 25 50 100 150
AWG* Size of Cord 18 18 16 14
*AWG=American Wire Gauge
VERSATILE QUICK-DISCONNECT
HARNESS
Snap any of the three connectors into
place in seconds:
BATTERY CLAMPS
Connect the clamps to the charger.
Follow the Operating Instructions to
connect the output clamps to the bat-
tery. After a solid electrical connec-
tion is made to the battery, plug the
power cord into a 120V AC electrical
wall outlet.
12V ACCESSORY PLUG
Charge or maintain your battery
without lifting the hood. Connect the
12V adapter to the charger and plug
into the 12V accessory outlet. Route
the power cord from charger through
the vehicle’s open window and plug
into a 120V AC electrical wall outlet.
Make sure to place charger on a dry,
non-ammable surface, like metal or
concrete.
RING CONNECTORS
The ring connectors permanently
attach to the battery providing easy
access to quickly charge your battery.
This application is appropriate for
motorcycles, lawn tractors, ATVs and
snowmobiles. To permanently attach
to a battery, loosen and remove each
nut from bolts at battery terminal.
Connect the red POSITIVE ring con-
nector ring to the POSITIVE battery
terminal. Connect the black NEGA-
TIVE connector ring to the NEGATIVE
battery terminal. Replace and tighten
the nuts to secure. Take care to keep
both wires and plug away from metal
and the engine hood. Plug the power
cord into a 120V AC electrical wall
outlet.

6
PREPARING YOUR BATTERY TO BE CHARGED
It is important that you read and follow these guidelines while you are preparing to
charge the battery.
• Make sure that you have a 12 volt
lead-acid battery. Determine voltage of
battery by referring to vehicle owner’s
manual. Charge battery initially at
charger’s lowest rate.
• Clean the battery terminals. Be careful to
keep corrosion from getting in or around
your eyes.
• Wear safety glasses. See additional
“Personal Safety Precautions” on
page 4.
• For batteries with removable vent caps, if
required, add distilled water to each cell
until the battery acid reaches the level
recommended by the manufacturer. This
will help purge excessive gases from the
cells. Be careful not to overll. If you have
a sealed battery with non-removable
vent caps, no action is necessary.
• Take time to read all of the battery
manufacturer’s specic precautions,
such as removing or not removing vent
caps while charging, and recommended
rates of charge.
• Be sure that the area around the battery
is well ventilated while it is being charged.
Gases emitted from the battery can be
forcefully blown away by using a piece of
cardboard or other nonmetallic material
as a fan.
• If it is necessary to remove the battery
from the vehicle to charge it, always
remove the grounded terminal from the
battery rst. Turn off all vehicle acces-
sories to avoid sparks from occurring.
DANGER - Never alter the AC plug pro-
vided. If it will not t the outlet, have a proper
outlet installed by a qualied electrician.
Improper connection can result in the risk
of electrical shock.
WARNING - Connect and disconnect
the battery clamps only when the AC
power cord is disconnected or arcing
may result.
• NOTE: A marine (boat) battery installed
in a boat must be removed and charged
on shore.
USING YOUR BATTERY CHARGER
The 300A does not have an ON/OFF switch. The On and Off commands are con-
trolled by plugging the 300A into a 120V AC electrical wall outlet only after battery
connections have been made.
LED Indicators
Charging Charged Check Battery*
Amber Green Red
*Indicates an overload condition caused
by shorting of the battery clamps, re-
verse polarity (hookup) connection to a
battery, or charging a problem battery.

7
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
IMPORTANT: Follow all safety instructions and precautions when charging your bat-
tery. Wear complete eye protection and clothing protection. Charge your battery in a
well-ventilated area.
block, away from the battery (see
gure left). DO NOT connect clamp
to negative battery post, carburetor,
and fuel line or sheet metal part.
Connecting to a positive-grounded
system: Connect the black (NEGA-
TIVE) output clamp to the NEGA-
TIVE post of the battery. Rock and
twist the clamp back and forth to be
sure a solid electrical connection is
made. Then connect the red (POSI-
TIVE) output clamp to a heavy, un-
painted metal part of the chassis or
engine block, away from the battery.
DO NOT connect clamp to positive
battery post, carburetor, and fuel line
or sheet metal part.
6. Plug power cord into an 120V AC
electrical wall outlet.
7. The CHARGING (yellow) LED should
light and the charging process
should start. If the CHECK (red) LED
is on, check for correct cable con-
nections.
8. The charger stops charging auto-
matically after the battery is fully
charged. Charge completion is in-
dicated by CHARGED (green) LED
and the charger has stopped charg-
ing and switched to the Maintain
Mode of operation.
9. To disconnect the charger, unplug
the power cord from the 120V AC
electrical wall outlet before attempt-
ing to disconnect the output clamps.
Then, standing away from the bat-
tery, remove the output clamp from
the chassis or engine block. Finally,
remove the output clamp from the
battery post.
10. Clean and store the charger in a dry
location.
NEGATIVE GROUNDED SYSTEM
CHARGING BATTERY IN THE
VEHICLE:
1. Avoid personal injury by keeping
clear of fan blades, belts, pulleys
and other engine parts.
2. Avoid damaging the charger by
keeping the power cord and output
cords away from the hood, door or
moving engine parts.
3. Note the polarity of the battery posts
by checking the identication marks
on the battery: POSITIVE (POS, P
or +) and NEGATIVE (NEG, N or -).
The positive post is usually larger
than the negative post.
4. Identify which battery post is ground-
ed or connected to the chassis. THIS
IS NORMALLY THE NEGATIVE
POST.
5. Connecting to a negative-ground-
ed system: Connect the red (POSI-
TIVE) output clamp to the POSITIVE
post of the battery. Rock and twist
the clamp back and forth to be sure
a solid electrical connection is made.
Then connect the black (NEGATIVE)
output clamp to a heavy, unpainted
metal part of the chassis or engine

8
1. Note the polarity of the battery posts
by checking the identication marks
on the battery: POSITIVE (POS, P
or +) and NEGATIVE (NEG, N or -).
The positive post is usually larger
than the negative post.
2. Attach at least a 24-inch-long,
6-gauge (AWG), insulated battery
cable to NEGATIVE (NEG, N or
-) battery post. Rock and twist the
clamp back and forth to be sure a
solid electrical connection is made.
3. Connect the red (POSITIVE) output
clamp to the POSITIVE battery post.
Rock and twist the clamp back and
forth to be sure a solid electrical con-
nection is made.
POSITIVE NEGATIVE
BATTERY CHARGER
BATTERY
24", 6 GAUGE
CABLE
POWER
CORD
TO
GROUNDED
POWER
OUTLET
CHARGING BATTERY REMOVED
FROM THE VEHICLE:
4. Position yourself as far away from
the battery as possible, and then
connect the black (NEGATIVE)
output clamp to the free end of the
cable.
5. Plug the power cord into an AC 120V
electrical wall outlet. The charger will
be set to the Tester Mode for REGU-
LAR battery type.
6. Press the appropriate control buttons
to select the desired charge rate
and battery type. The CHARGING
(yellow) LED should light and the
charging process should start. If the
CHECK (red) LED is on, check for
correct cable connections.
7. To disconnect the charger, unplug
its power cord before attempting
to disconnect the charger clamps.
Then, standing away from the bat-
tery, remove the output clamp from
the NEGATIVE battery post. Finally,
remove the output clamp from the
POSITIVE battery post.
8. Clean and store the charger in a dry
location.
IMPORTANT: Follow all safety instruc-
tions and precautions when charging
your battery. Wear complete eye protec-
tion and clothing protection. Charge your
battery in a well-ventilated area.
MAINTENANCE AND CARE
A minimal amount of care can keep your battery charger working properly for years.
1. Clean the clamps each time you are nished charging. Wipe off any battery uid
that may have come in contact with the clamps to prevent corrosion.
2. Coil the input and output cords neatly when storing the charger. This will help pre-
vent accidental damage to the cords and charger.
3. Occasional cleaning of the case of the charger with a soft cloth will keep the nish
shiny and help prevent corrosion.
4. Store the battery charger in a clean and dry location.

9
BATTERY PERCENT AND CHARGE TIME
This charger adjusts the charging time in
order to charge the battery completely,
efciently and safely.
This battery charger has a rated output
of 3 ampere. This output will vary with
the age and condition of the battery
being charged. If battery has only been
slightly discharged, it can be charged in
less than a few hours. The same battery
will take longer to charge if it is very
weak.
Amp Hour
Battery Charger
Average Charge
Time in Hours
4 1.5 – 2
10 3.5 – 4
20 7 – 8
30 11 – 12
45 16.5 – 17
60 22 – 23
LIMITED WARRANTY
SCHUMACHER ELECTRIC CORPORATION,
801 BUSINESS CENTER DRIVE,
MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS 60056-2179
MAKES THIS LIMITED WARRANTY TO THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER AT RETAIL
OF THIS PRODUCT. THIS LIMITED WARRANTY IS NOT TRANSFERABLE.
Schumacher Electric Corporation warrants this battery charger for ve years from
date of purchase at retail against defective material or workmanship. If such should
occur, the unit will be repaired or replaced at the option of the manufacturer. It is the
obligation of the purchaser to forward the unit together with the original sales receipt,
transportation and/or mailing charges prepaid to the manufacturer or its authorized
representative.
This limited warranty is void if the product is misused, subjected to careless handling,
or repaired by anyone other than the manufacturer or its authorized representative.
The manufacturer makes no warranty other than this limited warranty and expressly
excludes any implied warranty including any warranty for consequential damages.
THIS IS THE ONLY EXPRESS LIMITED WARRANTY AND THE MANUFACTURER
NEITHER ASSUMES NOR AUTHORIZES ANYONE TO ASSUME OR MAKE ANY
OTHER OBLIGATION TOWARDS THE PRODUCT OTHER THAN THIS EXPRESS
LIMITED WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER MAKES NO WARRANTY OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR PURPOSE OF THIS PRODUCT AND EX-
PRESSLY EXCLUDES SUCH FROM THIS LIMITED WARRANTY.
SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDEN-
TAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LENGTH OF IMPLIED WARRANTY SO
THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS AND YOU MAY ALSO
HAVE OTHER RIGHTS THAT VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.
WARRANTY VALIDATION: The enclosed “Warranty Validation Card” must be com-
pleted and mailed within 10 days of product purchase to activate this limited warranty.

10
NOTES