So Fix it

Batteries can generate explosive hydrogen gases when charging, so its important to understand how to use the Everstart 12-amp car battery charger correctly. An Everstart battery charger will bring your battery back to life, if the battery has undamaged cells and will accept a charge. Everstart chargers, which are no longer being manufactured, are older battery chargers that come in different models. Some are made specifically for charging boating and recreational vehicle batteries, car batteries, farm equipment and motorcycle batteries, while others are made for charging any battery type. A 12-amp Everstart battery charger can also be adjusted for a lower trickle charge if needed and set to charge either a 6- or 12-volt battery.

Instructions

Automatic Charging

1

Verify the type of battery in your vehicle. Some batteries are maintenance-free and require replacement rather than charging. Ensure your battery will accept a charge before proceeding. The basic difference between the two battery types is that a maintenance-free battery is a sealed battery with no way to refill the battery with water. These types of batteries require replacement.

2

Identify the negative battery post on the battery -- it is the post marked "-." Detach the vehicles negative cable using an appropriately sized open-end wrench. Set the cable aside. Repeat for the positive battery post and cable.

3

Remove the battery maintenance caps from the battery and check the batterys fluid levels. If low, add distilled water to the battery until the water reaches the bottom of where the cap inserts. Replace the caps.

4

Place the battery charger as far away as possible from the battery, at least the distance of the chargers cables.

5

Plug in the battery charger, but dont turn it on.

6

Attach the chargers red cable to the positive battery post identified with a "+" near the battery post. Attach the negative or black cable to the engines frame. Do not attach the negative cable to the carburetor, fuel lines or sheet metal on the vehicle.

7

Adjust the amperage and volt settings to match the battery being charged. For instance, if charging a 12-volt battery, select 12-volt and the amperage charge, if charging a 6-volt battery, slide the button to the 6-volt setting. For amperage, choose the amperage at which to charge the battery. Everstart chargers equipped with a 12-amp charge capacity will also have the ability to set the amperage at a lower, "trickle" charge and "medium" charge setting. Slide the switch to a 2-amp charge or "trickle" charge, as this is the most effective means of charging your battery. It will take longer to charge, however, it is the safest means of charging a battery. Slower amperage charges also prolong the batterys life.

8

Turn the battery charger on. When the charger is done charging, it will automatically quit charging the battery. Turn the charger off.

9

Unplug the Everstart battery charger and remove the charger cables from the battery, ensuring not to touch the cables between both posts. Reattach the vehicles negative cable to the batterys negative post first using an appropriately sized open-end wrench and then reattach the positive cable.

Manual Operation

10

Follow Steps 1 through 7 in the previous section to hook up the manual battery charger.

11

Turn the battery on.

12

Review the amps section of the dial to determine how many amps the battery is accepting. As the battery charges, the amperage will return to "0." Because the battery charger will not shut off, you will need to pay attention to the dial on the battery charger. Unplug the charger when the amperage reaches "0." If the battery will not accept a charge after first turning on the battery charger, and it continues to read "0" amps, the battery has dead cells and will require replacement.

Car batteries often drain or die for any number of reasons, whether its simply because the battery is old or because you accidentally left the headlights on overnight. When the battery does drain, a battery charger can prove an invaluable piece of equipment. There is a broad array of chargers on the market, each with an assortment of features and for varying prices. Most battery chargers, however, can be hooked up to a battery using the same technique.

Instructions

1

Access the battery. If the battery is still in the vehicle, remove any guards protecting the terminals. You may need a screwdriver or small wrench to remove these guards. If the battery is out of the vehicle, simply place it on a sturdy work bench or table.

2

Place the positive clamp on the charger onto the positive post of the battery. Positive clamps and battery terminals are typically marked with the color red and a plus (+) symbol. Negative clamps and terminals are marked with black and a minus (-) symbol. If the battery remains in the vehicle, attach the negative charger clamp to a non-painted metal bracket or bolt. If the battery has been removed from the vehicle, attach the negative charger clamp directly onto the negative battery post.

3

Check the volt and amp settings on the charger. Some chargers will allow you to adjust for voltage and amperage. For a car battery, you want to make sure the charger is set to 12 volts. As for amperage, the lower the amps, the longer it will take to charge the battery. Use a low-amp setting to fully recharge the battery. If you want to start the vehicle immediately, use a high-amp setting.

4

Plug the battery chargers power cord into an electrical outlet and allow the battery to charge. Again, the exact time needed to charge the battery will depend on the chargers settings and how severely the battery has been drained. Most chargers will have an indicator light or gauge that will let you know when the battery has received a full charge. If you have an automatic charger, it should shut off once the battery is charged.

5

Turn the chargers power switch off after the battery has been fully charged. Then unplug the charger and disconnect the clamps from the battery. Remove the negative clamp first, followed by the positive clamp.