1. Introduction
This manual provides comprehensive instructions for the safe and effective use of your Cen-Tech Deluxe 12V 750mA Battery Maintainer & Float Trickle Charge. This compact device is designed to keep your 12-volt batteries fully charged by supplying voltage to match the battery's self-discharge rate, preventing overcharging. It is ideal for maintaining batteries in vehicles stored for extended periods, such as motorcycles, scooters, ATVs, and other applications requiring a battery to remain topped off between long periods of non-use.
2. Important Safety Information
Always read and understand all safety warnings and instructions before using this product. Failure to follow warnings and instructions may result in electric shock, fire, and/or serious injury.
- Use only for 12V lead-acid batteries. Do not use for charging dry-cell batteries that are commonly used with home appliances.
- Ensure the work area is well-ventilated.
- Wear eye protection and gloves when working with batteries.
- Avoid creating sparks near the battery.
- Do not expose the charger to rain or wet conditions.
- Disconnect the AC power before making or breaking the connections to the battery.
3. Package Contents
The image displays the Cen-Tech Deluxe Battery Maintainer & Float Charger unit, along with its included accessories. The main unit is black with a label indicating "CEN-TECH DELUXE BATTERY MAINTAINER & FLOAT CHARGER" and specifications: INPUT: 120VAC/60Hz/0.25A, OUTPUT: 12VDC/750mA. It also shows LED indicators for "Red Light: Charging" and "Green Light: Maintaining". The accessories include a power cord with a standard two-prong plug, a set of alligator clamps (red and black) for temporary battery connection, and a set of ring terminal connectors (red and black) for permanent installation, both connecting to the main unit via a quick-disconnect cable.
Your package should include the following items:
- Deluxe 12V 750mA Battery Maintainer & Float Trickle Charge Unit
- Alligator Clamps with Quick-Disconnect Cable
- Ring Terminal Connectors with Quick-Disconnect Cable (for permanent installation)
- User Manual (this document)
4. Setup and Connection
The battery maintainer offers two primary methods for connecting to your 12V battery: using the alligator clamps for temporary connection or the ring terminal connectors for a more permanent setup.
4.1. Connecting with Alligator Clamps
- Ensure the battery maintainer is unplugged from any power source.
- Connect the quick-disconnect cable from the alligator clamps to the main maintainer unit.
- Connect the red (+) alligator clamp to the positive (+) terminal of the 12V battery.
- Connect the black (-) alligator clamp to the negative (-) terminal of the 12V battery.
- Plug the battery maintainer into a standard 120VAC wall outlet.
4.2. Connecting with Ring Terminal Connectors (Permanent Installation)
This method is ideal for scooters, motorcycles, or other vehicles where the battery is not easily accessible for frequent connection/disconnection. The ring terminals can be permanently attached to the battery, with the quick-disconnect cable routed to an accessible location.
- Ensure the battery maintainer is unplugged from any power source.
- Locate your vehicle's 12V battery. For many scooters, the battery is located under the floorboard or seat.
- Loosen the nut on the positive (+) battery terminal.
- Place the red (+) ring terminal connector onto the positive (+) battery post, ensuring good contact. Tighten the nut securely.
- Loosen the nut on the negative (-) battery terminal.
- Place the black (-) ring terminal connector onto the negative (-) battery post, ensuring good contact. Tighten the nut securely.
- Route the quick-disconnect end of the cable to a convenient and secure location on your vehicle, away from hot engine parts or moving components. Ensure the protective cap is on the connector when not in use.
- To charge, connect the quick-disconnect cable from the main maintainer unit to the routed connector on your vehicle.
- Plug the battery maintainer into a standard 120VAC wall outlet.
5. Operating Instructions
Once properly connected to a 12V battery and plugged into a power outlet, the battery maintainer will automatically begin its operation. The LED indicator lights on the unit provide status feedback:
- Flashing Red Light: Indicates a bad connection or battery issue. Check your connections to ensure they are secure and on the correct terminals.
- Solid Red Light: The battery is currently charging.
- Flashing Green Light: The battery is nearly charged.
- Solid Green Light: The battery is fully charged and the maintainer is now in monitoring/float mode, preventing overcharging.
The maintainer will automatically switch to float mode once the battery is fully charged, ensuring optimal battery health without the risk of overcharging. This allows for long-term connection without supervision.
6. Maintenance
Regular maintenance ensures the longevity of both your battery and the maintainer.
- Keep the maintainer unit clean and dry.
- Inspect cables and connectors regularly for any signs of damage or wear. Replace if necessary.
- For batteries in long-term storage, ensure they are kept in a secure place where they are not exposed to extreme cold, as this can negatively impact battery life.
- The maintainer helps prolong battery life, especially for smaller batteries (e.g., 12V 7Ah found in some scooters) which may not last as long without proper maintenance.
7. Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Red Light | Bad connection or faulty battery. | Ensure clamps/terminals are securely connected to the correct battery posts. If the issue persists, the battery may be too deeply discharged or faulty. |
| No lights on unit | No power to the unit or unit malfunction. | Check the wall outlet for power. Ensure the quick-disconnect cable is fully inserted into the main unit. If still no lights, the unit may be faulty. |
| Battery not charging | Incorrect connection, faulty battery, or unit malfunction. | Verify connections (red to positive, black to negative). Check LED indicator for status. If the battery is completely dead, it may take longer to show a charging status. |
8. Specifications
- Brand: Cen-Tech
- Model Name: Deluxe Battery Maintainer & Float Charger
- Part Number: 62813
- Input: 120VAC/60Hz/0.25A
- Output: 12VDC/750mA
- Output Voltage: 12 Volts (DC)
- Cable Length: 12 ft. 18 AWG charging cable
- Item Weight: 0.01 Ounces
- Item Dimensions (LxWxH): 8.98 x 7.17 x 4.02 inches
- Color: Red
- Specification Met: CSA, ETL
9. Warranty and Support
For warranty information or technical support, please refer to the contact details provided on the product packaging or visit the official Cen-Tech website. Keep your purchase receipt for warranty claims.
