VDC Electronics BatteryMINDer OBD-12 User manual

Rev. H-041409 Page 1 ` P/N VDC OBD12-24-36-48-MNL
BatteryMINDer Models OBD12-24-36-48
INSTRUCTIONS
BatteryMINDer®Models OBD-12, -24, -36 & -48
OnBoard Battery Restorer-Conditioners
With Battery and Charging System Indicator
Rev. H-041409 P/N VDC OBD12-24-36-48-MNLRev. H-041409 P/N VDC OBD12-24-36-48-MNL
VDC Electronics, Inc.
147D Woodbury Rd.
Huntington, NY 11743
www.batteryminders.com
[email protected]
READ AND SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Rev. H-041409 Page 2 P/N VDC OBD12-24-36-48-MNL
BatteryMINDer Models OBD12-24-36-48
Table of Contents
General..................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Qualifying Your Battery............................................................................................................................................ 4
Components & Descriptions.................................................................................................................................... 8
Auxiliary charger connector.................................................................................................................................... 9
Installing the Restorer-Conditioner ....................................................................................................................... 10
Battery Setup Configurations................................................................................................................................. 11
Operating the Restorer-Conditioner....................................................................................................................... 12
Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................................................................... 12
Battery and Charging System Tester ..................................................................................................................... 13
Operation.......................................................................................................................................................... 13
To Test Battery.................................................................................................................................................. 13
To Test Alternator / Charging System.............................................................................................................. 14
Spike Surge Protector ...................................................................................................................................... 14
LED Battery & Alternator Voltage Test Indications................................................................................................ 15
Specifications ......................................................................................................................................................... 16
Our Guarantee and Warranty Conditions............................................................................................................... 17
For Repair or Replacement..................................................................................................................................... 18

Rev. H-041409 Page 3 P/N VDC OBD12-24-36-48-MNL
BatteryMINDer Models OBD12-24-36-48
General
The BatteryMINDer®OnBoard Battery Restorer-
Conditioners are designed to desulfate your batteries
while you are operating your vehicle. The units utilize
patented technology to produce a wide range of
high frequency pulses known as RFP™ (Random
Frequency Pulsation) designed to dissolve both
old and newly formed sulfate. RFP™ technology,
sweeps the entire frequency range known to
cause sulfation crystals to resonate and then safely
dissolve them. Sulfuric acid, the main component
in the sulfate crystals, safely returns to the battery’s
electrolyte. The Specic Gravity (S.G.) of the
electrolyte is now higher and able to generate more
electrical energy-storage capacity than the previously
sulfated batteries.
Additional advantages of using sulfation-free batteries
include extended alternator and belt life, as the
vehicle’s charging system no longer needs to work
as hard trying to charge batteries that will not accept
high alternator output current due to sulfation build-
up. Better fuel economy can also be expected, as
much lower output current is now demanded from
the alternator to keep clean, sulfate-free batteries fully
charged. Lower alternator output current translates
to lower engine level.
Each of the BatteryMINDer On-Board RFP™ Battery
Restorer-Conditioners can serve up to six batteries at
a time. Thus, even large commercial vehicles, boats
and commercial equipment require only one unit per
system. Units are effective on all brands / types of
batteries, including Maintenance-free, Gel, AGM,
Deep Cycle, Sealed, and Free-electrolyte. Installation
is a simple two wire hook-up to just one (1) battery
or two (2) if using 6-volt batteries in series. The
units stop working shortly after you turn your engine
off. They do not use any power while your vehicle is
turned off and very little when vehicle is running. ■

Rev. H-041409 Page 4 P/N VDC OBD12-24-36-48-MNL
BatteryMINDer Models OBD12-24-36-48
QUALIFYING YOUR BATTERY:
Preliminary Requirements
To conrm your battery’s condition before using your
Battery Restorer-Conditioner (in order to prove the
effect of the Battery Restorer-Conditioner) please
take the following suggestions. The time it will
take will be very worthwhile. 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: techsupport@vdcelectronics.
com 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 Battery
Restorer-Conditioner 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 desulfate
them. Remember, even if you just purchased
a “new” battery it may have been subjected to
conditions that have caused “sulfation” such as high
temperature (>=80°) and/or allowed to self-discharge
to 2.06 Volts/Cell or lower.
NOTE: If your battery is new and you are certain it
was not subject to conditions that could have caused
sulfation, even before you purchased it, then you
can disregard our recommendations for qualifying /
testing your battery, before using the BatteryMINDer.
Testing a Filler Cap or Manifold-type Lead Acid
Battery
1. Carefully remove all caps or manifold-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 sulfation has taken place.
Signicant recharge/reconditioning time is needed to
restore these plates to a condition where the battery
can be expected to function normally.
3. Rell each cell with distilled water only to the
liquid level indicator found in each cell.

Rev. H-041409 Page 5 ` P/N VDC OBD12-24-36-48-MNL
BatteryMINDer Models OBD12-24-36-48
4. Recharge the battery to ensure that it is
completely charged as possible before you determine
its condition. Allow battery to “rest”* overnight
for a minimum of 12 hours before testing with a
temperature compensated hydrometer and/or digital
type voltmeter only.
* “RESTED” = a battery that has been as fully
charged as possible, using a 3 stage charger or your
alternator and left disconnected from charger or any
type load for a minimum of 12 hours before testing.
5. If the BatteryMINDer battery condition LED lights
YELLOW (single battery) or no balls oat in one or
more cells, your battery may be too far gone to be
fully desulfated. Use a hot/cold calibrated hydrometer
tester for the most accurate results** (see next page)
if you see an increase in the Specic Gravity (SG) or
voltage indicating that there is an improvement in
the battery’s condition, continue desulfating for an
additional 72 hours and retest the battery. Continue
this process until the SG or voltage readings no
longer increase.
Temp. Compensated
Hydrometer - meter
or 4 ball type
6-V
3
cells
8-V
4
cells
12-V
6
cells
Full Capacity
Percentage
1.270 (4 Balls
floating) 6.3V 8.4V 12.6V 100%
1.250 (3 Balls
floating) 6.18 8.26 12.4 75%
1.190 (2 Balls
floating) 6.09 8.13 12.2 50%
1.150 (1 Balls
floating) 6.0 8.0 12.0 25%
1.120 (0 Balls
floating) 5.8817.84111.810%
1 May denote shorted cell or battery that has been severely
discharged and may not be recoverable
OCV = Open Circuit No Load VoltageOCV = Open Circuit No Load Voltage

Rev. H-041409 Page 6 P/N VDC OBD12-24-36-48-MNL
BatteryMINDer Models OBD12-24-36-48
**Testing with a Hot/Cold Calibrated
Hydrometer Tester
Read the tester instructions carefully for most
accurate readings.
1. When using the tester the rst time or after a
long period of non-use, ll the tester with the battery
uid 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 oat than should. Failure to do so will yield
false readings that indicate a battery that is not fully
desulfated or does not qualify for desulfation.
3. If no balls oat in any cell, the cell is shorted.
This means your battery is beyond the point of being
properly recharged or reconditioned-desulfated.
Properly dispose of the battery.
If each cell oats two (2) or more balls (or 1190
on gauge-type), your battery can be desulfated-
reconditioned.
4. Always rinse the tester with fresh water after
every use. Failure to do so will cause false readings.
Testing a Sealed, AGM or Gelled-type Lead Acid
Battery
These batteries have no ller 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 possible,
before you determine its condition. Allow battery to
“rest” (see pg. 13) for a minimum of 12 hours before
testing with a digital voltmeter only.
Failure to test a “rested” (see pg. 13) battery will
cause false readings.

Rev. H-041409 Page 7 P/N VDC OBD12-24-36-48-MNL
BatteryMINDer Models OBD12-24-36-48
2. Measure battery’s voltage, without any load
attached. If the voltage represents less than 50% of
full charge, the battery may be too heavily sulfated
to be fully recoverable. If voltage represents greater
than 50% of the full charge, full recovery can be
expected, given sufcient time (average 1-2 weeks
for batteries that are heavily sulfated).
3. Charge battery to its maximum level. Allow
battery to remain for a minimum of 72 hours before
retesting. If improvement is seen, continue until
battery voltage reaches full capacity level or no
further increase is seen.
OCV -“Rested” Voltage
Gel (volts) & AGM (volts) @ 26°C
6-V
3 Cells
8-V
4 Cells
12-V
6 Cells
Full Capacity
Percentage
6.42 8.56 12.85 100%
6.33 8.43 12.65 75%
6.18 8.23 12.35 50%
6.00 8.00 12.00 25%
5.90* 7.86* 11.80* 0%
*May denote shorted cell or battery that has been
severely discharged and may not be recoverable
Note: OPTIMA brand “Yellow Top” starter/deep
cycle batteries have a fully charged “resting” voltage
of 13.1 (OCV). Increase-Decrease above values
accordingly. ■

Rev. H-041409 Page 8 P/N VDC OBD12-24-36-48-MNL
BatteryMINDer Models OBD12-24-36-48
Components & Descriptions
1
6
2
7
4
3
5
6
9
(back)
8

Rev. H-041409 Page 9 P/N VDC OBD12-24-36-48-MNL
BatteryMINDer Models OBD12-24-36-48
1. LED (Light Emitting Diodes) Indicators (pgs. 11 - 13)
2. Push To Test Button (pg. 12)
3. Positive Lead w/Ring Terminal (pg. 10, 11)
4. Negative Lead w/Ring Terminal (pg. 10, 11)
5. Replaceable Fuse (15Amps) (pg. 10)
6. Mounting Tabs (2) (pg. 10)
7. Auxiliary Charger Input Cord & Plug (pg. 9, 10)
8. Plug Cover (pg. 9, 10)
9. Velcro loop-lock adhesives (pg. 10)
Auxiliary charger connector
All OBD Model units are equipped with an auxiliary connector plug (charger input cord and plug) designed to
allow a battery charger/maintainer to easily be attached to each unit, providing the voltage, polarity and plug
type of the particular charger is the same*. It must never be used for any other purpose as the polarity of the
connector may be different from the product you are plugging in. This could cause a short circuit or damage
the unit, voiding the guarantee and warranty. Note: RED LED Fault Indicator will light if a device with incorrect
polarity or fault is plugged into the Auxiliary charger connector.
*Model OBD-12 is designed to be attached to one of VDC Electronics’ maintenance type chargers, such as
the BatteryKeeper model 12612 or BatteryMINDer Models 12248, 12112, 12117.
Model OBD-24 is also designed to be attached to a VDC Electronics’ maintenance type charger, namely the
BatteryMINDer Model 24041. ■

Rev. H-041409 Page 10 P/N VDC OBD12-24-36-48-MNL
BatteryMINDer Models OBD12-24-36-48
Installing the Battery Restorer-Conditioner
Before you install the OnBoard Battery Restorer-
Conditioner, turn the engine off. Mount the unit
in a convenient place close to or directly on the
battery. You can either mount the unit using screws
(not supplied) or the Velcro loop-lock adhesives
(supplied).
Do not use screws of any kind if mounting
the unit directly on the battery. When using screws
to mount unit on other surfaces be very careful of the
length of the screws to avoid puncturing hidden wires
or other sensitive components.
1. Find a safe and convenient place to attach
the unit. Drill the holes for the screws (not supplied)
or clean surface for Velcro fasteners.
2. Attach ring terminal on RED wire to the posi-
tive (+) clamp, threaded studs or side posts of your
battery (depending on type of battery).
3. Attach the ring terminal on the black wire to
the negative (-) clamp, threaded studs or side posts
depending on your battery type.
Note: Your OBD is equipped with a replaceable
15 Amp at type automotive fuse. Never replace
with a higher rated fuse or a hazardous condition
may exist. ■