TecMate Accumate 6/12 - Manual (Page 4)

4
Charging procedure
1) Place the charger on a hard flat surface, but not on leather, textile or plastic.
An optional wall mounting bracket is available. Verify that the 6V / 12V selector is in the correct
position for the battery you are going to charge. Consult a specialist if not sure.
2) Connect the charger to the battery - RED clamp to POSITIVE (POS, P, +) terminal and BLACK clamp to
NEGATIVE (NEG, N, –) terminal. If the «
INVERSE POLARITY» LED should indicate, your battery connections are
inverted. The charger is protected against this error; no damage will result and it will automatically de-
activate. Disconnect clamps and reconnect correctly.
3) Connect the charger to a mains supply socket providing AC supply of 220 to 240V. The « POWER ON» LED
opposite the appropriate charging output voltage selection should illuminate. If not, check your AC supply or
connections.
4) When connections are correct, the « POWER ON» and the yellow (charging) LED should light initially. If the
battery is already 100% fully charged or in the case that it is sulphated, the green LED will then come on
immediately.
NOTE : If only the «
POWER ON» LED illuminates after correct connections have been established, the initial
battery voltage was below 1V and the battery is probably irrecoverable.
5) If the initial battery voltage was more than about 1V, the charger will automatically charge, then maintain
the battery very close to fully charged unless the battery is defective. During the «CHARGING» cycle (yellow
charging LED) the battery is charged at the maximum constant current output until the monitored voltage rises
to 14.3V. Charging then changes automatically to the absorption stage, with the voltage limited at 14.3V, so
that the continuously monitored current will gradually reduce. When the current falls to 200mA, the charging
voltage is then limited to 13.6V and the green LED will indicate the battery is ready for use. For as long as the
charger remains connected it will continue to maintain the battery with a charge voltage limited at 13.6V, thus
allowing the battery to draw a small current to compensate for any slight discharge, whether self-discharge
or due to any alarm system or other current loss in the vehicle or other circuit. Should any factor place a load
on the battery such that the battery’s need for charging current rises to 200mA, the circuit will automatically
revert to the absorption current stage until the battery is again charged or until the current loss has been
stemmed.
6) It is recommended practice to disconnect the AC mains before disconnecting the battery connections,
although the circuit will instantly disable the charging output on disconnection of the battery.
7) Refer to the section «Application Hints» below to obtain the most effective use of the AccuMate.
Application Hints & Interpretation of «LED» indications of Battery Status
General hints : the AccuMate has been designed to charge 6V or 12V lead-acid batteries that have been
discharged during normal operation and that have not been damaged through extended non-use, physical
misuse or internal defects. Non-use of a battery for an extended period during which the battery is left to self-
discharge without being re-charged causes internal chemical change (sulphation) which this charger may not
be able to reverse. Failure to maintain the correct electrolyte levels within batteries requiring occasional
topping up with distilled water is also likely to result in damage to the battery which may be irrecoverable.
Technically advanced professional chargers such as the
BatteryMate may still be able to recover such
neglected batteries, though full recovery to as new status may never be possible. All unused batteries will
maintain their charge best when stored in a cold or cool environment. The warmer the surroundings the
faster the battery will self-discharge.
1. Once you have connected the AccuMate to your battery, LEAVE it connected for the «maximum» time
given for the battery size in the table below, OR, until you observe a steady green LED indication. If you do not
know the rated capacity of the battery, use the category indications in the table (see §9). In most cases recharg-
ing of a discharged battery is indicated by a yellow LED for not more than the «maximum» time indicated in
the table, succeeded by a steady green LED. When the steady green LED indicates, you can safely leave the
battery connected to the AccuMate for longer than the «maximum» time indicated below, however, unless
a steady green indication is observed, there may well be some defect or problem within the battery, or (if it is
connected to the vehicle wiring system) a loss of current in the wiring system itself.