VDC Electronics BatteryMINDer 12248 User manual

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BatteryMINDer®Model 12248
Charger / Maintainer /
Desulphator-Conditioner
VDC Electronics, Inc.
147 D Woodbury Rd.
Huntington, NY 11743
www.vdcelectronics.com
[email protected]
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Rev. G-061606 P/N VDC12248-MNL-F

TABLE OF CONTENTS
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS..........................................................................................................3
PREPARING TO CHARGE.........................................................................................................5
CHARGER LOCATION...............................................................................................................5
DC CONNECTION PRECAUTIONS ..........................................................................................6
QUALIFYING YOUR BATTERY: ................................................................................................8
TESTING A FILLER CAP OR MANIFOLD-TYPE LEAD ACID BATTERY...................................8
TESTING WITH A HOT/COLD CALIBRATED HYDROMETER TESTER..................................10
TESTING A SEALED, AGM OR GELLED-TYPE LEAD ACID BATTERY .................................10
UNIT WITH CALL-OUTS ...........................................................................................................12
SIMPLIFIED OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS .............................................................................13
LED INDICATOR FUNCTIONS .................................................................................................14
DETAILED OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS ...............................................................................16
MAINTAINING MULTIPLE BATTERIES.....................................................................................22
BATTERY CONFIGURATIONS .................................................................................................23
TROUBLESHOOTING - MODEL 12248 ...................................................................................24
DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS - VDC MODEL NO. 12248........................................................26
CHARGING PROFILE................................................................................................................31
FOR REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT............................................................................................32
NOTES........................................................................................................................................33
GUARANTEE AND WARRANTY................................................................................................34
BatteryMINDer®Model 12248
Rev. G-061606 Page 2 P/N VDC12248-MNL-B

Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
REQUIRED SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE,
ELECTRIC SHOCK, OR INJURY TO
PERSON, OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING:
1. Do not expose charger to rain or snow. It is
designed to operate ONLY INDOORS.
2. USE of any attachment not specifically recom-
mended by the battery charger manufacturer for
use with this exact model of charger may result
in risk of fire & electric shock or injury to person.
3. An extension cord should not be used, unless
absolutely necessary. Use of an improper exten-
sion cord could result in fire or electric shock. If
extension cord must be used be sure:
a. Pins on plug of extension cord are the same
number, size, & shape of plug on charger
b. Extension cord is properly wired and in
good condition.
c. Wire size is enough for AC ampere of charger
as specified below: Length of cord, feet (meters)
25 (7.6), 60 (15.2), 100 (30.5), 150 (45.6) AWG
Size #18.
4. Do not use charger if it received a sharp blow,
been dropped, or damaged.
5. Charger contains no serviceable parts. If it
fails for any reason, return to the address shown
within for a free replacement under warranty.
6. To reduce risk of electric shock, unplug charg-
er from outlet before attempting any cleaning.
7. WARNING - RISK OF EXPLOSIVE
GASES.WHENEVER YOU WORK NEAR A
LEAD ACID BATTERY IT IS DANGEROUS.
BATTERIES GENERATE EXPLOSIVE GASES
DURING NORMAL BATTERY OPERATION.
FOR THIS REASON, IT IS OF UTMOST
IMPORTANCE THAT EACH TIME BEFORE
USING YOUR CHARGER, YOU MUST READ
THIS MANUAL AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUC-
TIONS EXACTLY.
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To reduce risk of battery explosion, follow these
instructions and those published by the battery
manufacturer and the manufacturer of any
equipment you plan to use in the vicinity of the
battery. Review cautionary markings on the
products and the engine.
8. PERSONAL PRECAUTIONS when working
with or near a lead acid battery.
a. Someone should be able to hear your
voice or close enough to aid you when working
near a lead acid battery.
b. Have fresh water and soap nearby
case battery acid contact skin, clothing, or eyes.
Wear complete eye protection and clothing pro-
tection. Avoid touching eyes while working near
battery.
c. If battery acid does contact skin or
clothing, wash immediately with soap and water.
If acid entered the eye, immediately flood the
eye with running water for at least 10 minutes
and get help immediately.
d. NEVER smoke or allow a spark of
flame near battery or engine.
e. Be extra cautious to reduce risk of
dropping a metal tool or auto part onto battery. It
might spark or short circuit battery or other elec-
trical part that may cause an explosion.
f. Remove personal metal items such as
rings, bracelets, necklaces, and watches when
working with a lead acid battery. A lead acid bat-
tery can produce a short circuit current high
enough to weld a ring or the like to metal, caus-
ing a severe burn.
g. Charger is designed to be used for
recharging lead acid batteries ONLY. Never use
it to power a low voltage electrical system, or for
attempting to recharge dry cell batteries that are
commonly used in house holds. These batteries
may explode and cause injury to persons and
damage property
BatteryMINDer®Model 12248
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NEVER CHARGE A FROZEN BATTERY OR
ONE AT A TEMPERATURE ABOVE 123° F.
PREPARING TO CHARGE
a. If necessary to remove battery from
equipment to charge. Always remove ground ter-
minal first. Turn off all accessories in the vehicle,
so as not to cause an arc.
b. Be sure area around battery is well
ventilated while battery is being charged. Force
gas vapors away by using a piece of non-metal-
lic material as a fan.
c. Clean battery terminals. Be careful to
keep corrosion from contacting eyes.
d. Add distilled water to each cell until
battery acid reaches level specified by the man-
ufacturer. This helps Purge excessive gas from
cells. Do not overfill. For a battery without caps,
follow manufacturer's recharging instructions.
e. Study all battery manufacturer's specif-
ic instructions such as removing cell caps while
charging and recommended charge rates.
f. Determine condition of battery, by refer-
ring to instructions herein, before ever attempt-
ing to charge or desulphate any / all batteries.
CHARGER LOCATION
a. Make sure charger is as far away from
battery as output cables permit.
b. Never place charger directly above bat-
tery being charged; gases from battery will cor-
rode and damage charger.
c. Never allow battery acid to drip on
charger when reading specific gravity or filling.
d. Do not operate charger in a closed-in
area or restrict ventilation in any way.
e. Do not set battery on top of charger.
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DC CONNECTION PRECAUTIONS
a. Connect and disconnect DC output clips from
battery only after removing charger power cord
from outlet.
b. Attach clips to battery posts and twist or rock
back and forth several times to make good con-
tact. This tends to keep clips from slipping off
terminals and reduces risk of sparking.
FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WHEN BAT-
TERY IS INSTALLED IN EQUIPMENT (VEHI-
CLE, PWC, BOAT, TRACTOR, ETC.) A SPARK
NEAR BATTERY MAY CAUSE BATTERY TO
EXPLODE. TO REDUCE RISK OF A SPARK
NEAR BATTERY:
c. Position DC output cord to reduce risk of dam-
age by hood, door, covers, or moving engine
parts.
d. Stay clear of fan blades, belts, pulleys, and
other parts that can cause injuries.
e. Check polarity of battery posts. POSITIVE
(POS, P,+) usually has a larger diameter than
NEGATIVE -.
f. Determine which post of battery is grounded
(connected) to the chassis of equipment. If neg-
ative post is grounded see Item N. If positive
post is grounded see item P.
N. For negative grounded equipment, connect
POSITIVE (RED) clip from charger to POSITIVE
(POS, P, +) ungrounded post of battery. Connect
NEGATIVE (BLACK) clip to vehicle chassis or
engine block away from battery. Do not connect
clip to carburetor, fuel lines, or metal body parts.
g. For positive ground equipment, connect NEG-
ATIVE (BLACK) clip from charger to NEGATIVE
(NEG, N,) UNGROUNDED POST OF BATTERY.
Connect POSITIVE (RED) CLIP to chassis or
engine block away from battery.
BatteryMINDer®Model 12248
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Do not connect clip to carburetor, fuel lines,
or sheet metal body parts. Connect to heavy
gauge metal part of frame or engine.
h. When disconnecting charger, discon-
nect charger from AC outlet, then remove clips
from vehicle chassis, and battery posts.
Operating instructions for charge information.
FOLLOW THESE STEPS WHEN BATTERY IS
OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE OR EQUIPMENT.
A SPARK NEAR THE BATTERY MAY CAUSE
BATTERY EXPLOSION. TO REDUCE RISK OF
A SPARK NEAR BATTERY:
a. Check polarity of battery posts. POSI-
TIVE (POS,P,+) usually has a large diameter
than NEGATIVE (NEG, N, -) battery post.
b. Connect ( RED ) charger clip to
(POS+) post of battery.
c. Position yourself and free end of cable
as far away from battery as possible, then con-
nect NEGATIVE (BLACK) charger clip to free
end of cable.
d. Do not face battery when making final
connections.
e. When disconnecting charger, always
do so in reverse sequence of connecting proce-
dure and break first connection while as far
away from battery as practical. Do not attempt
to permanently install any charger not specif-
ically designed for permanent installation,
especially in a wet / marine environment
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QUALIFYING YOUR BATTERY:
Preliminary Requirements
NOTE: The BatteryMINDer has no electrical
output unless it is connected to a healthy bat-
tery. Testing the BatteryMINDer with a volt or
an Amp meter without the unit being connected
across a good battery will result in a false read-
ing. If you experience any problems, or are not
sure of how to properly use or connect your
BatteryMINDer, please e-mail our technical
support at: [email protected] or
call our toll-free technical support line 800-379-
5579 x206 (Eastern Time). Be certain to leave
your phone number with the area code, time
zone and the best time to call.
To gain the best result from your new charger
and to maximize the life and performance of
your batteries we strongly recommend you
qualify (test) your batteries before attempting to
either charge-maintain or desulphate them.
Remember, even if you just purchased a "new"
battery it may have been subjected to condi-
tions that have caused "sulphation" such as
high temperature (>=80°).
NOTE: If your battery is new and you are cer-
tain it was not subject to conditions that could
have caused sulphation*, even before you pur-
chased it, then you can disregard our recom-
mendations for qualifying / testing your battery,
before using the BatteryMINDer.
* Such as high temperature storage (=/> 80? F)
and/or allowed to self-discharge to 12.4 Volts
or lower.
Testing a Filler Cap or Manifold-type Lead
Acid Battery
1. Carefully remove all 6 caps or both mani-
fold-type covers from your battery.
2. Check the water-liquid electrolyte level. If
the level is low or has ever been below top of
plates, severe lead plate sulphation has taken
place. Significant recharge/reconditioning time
is needed to restore these plates to a
BatteryMINDer®Model 12248
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condition where the battery can be expected to
function normally.
3. Refill each cell with distilled water only to the
liquid level indicator found in each cell. Before
proceeding further you must be thoroughly
familiar with the safety and operating instruc-
tions.
4. Recharge the battery with the BatteryMINDer
to ensure that it is slowly and completely
charged before you determine its condition.
Allow battery to "rest"* overnight for a minimum
of 10 hours before testing with a temperature
compensated hydrometer and/or digital type volt-
meter only.
* "RESTED" = a battery that has been as fully
charged as possible, using a 3 stage charger
(model 12248) and left disconnected from
charger or any type load for a minimum of 12
hours.
5. If the BatteryMINDer battery condition LED
lights (KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK)within 72 hours (single bat-
tery) or no balls float in one or more cells, your
battery may be too far gone to be fully desul-
phated. Reconnect battery to your
BatteryMINDer and press the Maintenance
mode button. Allow battery to remain in mainte-
nance mode for a minimum of 72 hours, before
re-test. Use a hot/cold calibrated hydrometer
tester for the most accurate results** (see next
page) if you see an increase in the Specific
Gravity (SG) or voltage indicating that there is an
improvement in the battery's condition, continue
desulphating for an additional 72 hours and
retest the battery. Continue this process until the
SG or voltage readings no longer increase.
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TABLE 1
YELLOW
OCV=Open Circuit No Load Voltage

BatteryMINDer®Model 12248
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**Testing with a Hot/Cold Calibrated
Hydrometer Tester
Read the tester instructions carefully for most
accurate readings.
1. When using the tester the first time or after a
long period of non-use, fill the tester with the
battery fluid and let it sit for 1/2 hour or longer.
This will soak the balls in order to give you more
accurate readings. Failure to do so will give you
false readings indicating a battery that may not
be in as good a condition as you may have
thought.
2. After inserting the tester in a cell, gently tap
the tester several times against the inside wall of
each cell to dislodge air bubbles that will cause
more balls to float than should. Failure to do so
will yield false readings that indicate a battery
that is not fully desulphated or does not qualify
for desulphation.
3. If no balls float in any cell, the cell is shorted.
This means your battery is beyond the point of
being properly recharged or reconditioned-desul-
phated. Dispose of the battery.
If each cell floats three (3) or more balls (or 1250
on gauge-type), your battery can be desulphat-
ed-reconditioned.
4. Always rinse the tester with fresh water after
every use. Failure to do so will cause false read-
ings.
Testing a Sealed, AGM or Gelled-type Lead
Acid Battery
These batteries have no filler caps or manifold-
type covers. Because you cannot gain access
to the interior of your battery you cannot test it
with a hydrometer.
USE A DIGITAL VOLTMETER ONLY:
1. Recharge the battery with the BatteryMINDer
to ensure it is as completely charged as possi-
ble, before you determine its condition. Allow
battery to "rest" (see pg. 9) overnight for a mini-
mum of 10 hours before testing with a digital
voltmeter only.