Introduction
This manual provides essential instructions for the safe and effective use of your Battery Tender Junior 12V, 1 AMP Automatic Battery Charger and Maintainer. This device is designed to charge and maintain 12V lead-acid, flooded, AGM, and gel cell batteries, commonly found in motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, lawnmowers, and other small engine vehicles. Please read this manual thoroughly before operation.
Image: The Battery Tender Junior 12V, 1 AMP Automatic Battery Charger and Maintainer, a compact black unit with a green label indicating its function and output.
Safety Information
WARNING: Risk of explosive gases. Working in the vicinity of a lead-acid battery is dangerous. Batteries generate explosive gases during normal operation. For this reason, it is of utmost importance that you read this manual and follow the instructions exactly each time you use the charger.
- Always wear eye protection and protective clothing when working with batteries.
- Ensure adequate ventilation when charging a battery.
- Never smoke or allow a spark or flame in the vicinity of the battery or engine.
- Avoid dropping metal tools onto the battery. This could cause a spark or short-circuit the battery or other electrical parts, which may cause an explosion.
- Do not use the charger if it has received a sharp blow, been dropped, or otherwise damaged.
- Keep out of reach of children.
- This charger is designed for 12V lead-acid batteries only. Do not use with other battery types.
Package Contents
Verify that all items are present in your package:
- Battery Tender Junior 12V, 1 AMP Battery Charger and Maintainer unit
- Ring Terminal Harness with Quick Connect
- Alligator Clip Harness with Quick Connect
Image: The Battery Tender Junior charger shown with its two included quick-connect cable harnesses: one with alligator clips and another with ring terminals.
Product Overview
The Battery Tender Junior is an automatic battery charger and maintainer. It features a solid-state two-color LED indicator that communicates the charging status:
- Red Light: Indicates the battery is charging.
- Green Light: Indicates the battery is fully charged and the unit has switched to float mode, maintaining the battery.
Image: A hand holding the compact Battery Tender Junior charger, demonstrating its portable size.
Setup and Connection
Follow these steps to connect your Battery Tender Junior to a battery:
- Choose the correct harness: Select either the alligator clip harness for temporary connections or the ring terminal harness for more permanent installations. The ring terminal harness can be directly bolted to the battery terminals.
- Connect to the battery:
- Connect the red positive (+) connector from the harness to the positive (+) battery terminal.
- Connect the black negative (-) connector from the harness to the negative (-) battery terminal.
Ensure correct polarity. The charger features automatic reversed hook-up detection for safety, but always double-check connections.
- Connect to power: Plug the Battery Tender Junior charger into a standard 120V AC wall outlet.
Image: A close-up showing the quick-connect alligator clips and ring terminals, highlighting the two connection options.
Image: The Battery Tender Junior's ring terminal harness connected to a vehicle battery, showing the positive and negative connections.
Image: The Battery Tender Junior charger plugged into a wall outlet, with its green indicator light illuminated.
Operating the Charger
Once connected to the battery and power, the Battery Tender Junior will automatically begin its 4-step charging program:
- Initialization: The charger checks the battery's condition.
- Bulk Charge: The charger delivers a full charge to the battery. During this phase, the LED indicator will be red.
- Absorption Charge: The charger continues to charge at a decreasing rate to ensure a complete charge.
- Float Mode: Once the battery is fully charged, the charger automatically switches to float mode. The LED indicator will turn green. In this mode, the charger maintains the battery at an optimal voltage level without overcharging, making it safe for long-term connection. If the battery voltage drops too far under load, adaptive charging will resume full charger output power.
The charger is designed to be smarter than a traditional trickle charger, preventing overcharging and extending battery life.
Maintenance
To ensure optimal performance and longevity of your Battery Tender Junior and your batteries:
- Keep the charger clean and dry. Wipe with a soft, damp cloth if necessary.
- Regularly inspect the cables and connectors for any signs of damage or wear. Do not use if damaged.
- Ensure battery terminals are clean and free of corrosion for efficient charging.
- Store the charger in a cool, dry place when not in use.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| No LED light | No AC power; faulty outlet; charger malfunction. | Check AC outlet with another device. Ensure charger is properly plugged in. If problem persists, contact support. |
| Red LED stays on indefinitely | Battery is deeply discharged or faulty; incorrect battery connection. | Verify battery connections are secure and correct. Allow more time for charging. If battery does not reach full charge after extended period, battery may be faulty. |
| Green LED immediately turns on | Battery is already fully charged; poor connection to battery. | This indicates the battery is already at optimal voltage. If you suspect the battery is not fully charged, check connections for looseness or corrosion. |
| Charger feels warm | Normal operation during charging. | A slight warmth is normal. If the charger becomes excessively hot or emits smoke/odor, disconnect immediately and contact support. |
Specifications
- Model: 022-0328
- Input Voltage: 120V AC
- Output Voltage: 12V DC
- Output Current: 1 AMP
- Battery Compatibility: 12V Lead-Acid (Flooded, AGM, Gel Cell)
- Dimensions: 3.41 x 1.4 x 0.71 inches (charger only)
- Weight: 1.19 pounds
- Certifications: ETL US/CSA, FCC, ICES, BC
Warranty and Support
The Battery Tender Junior 12V, 1 AMP Charger and Maintainer comes with a 5-year manufacturer's warranty. For warranty claims, technical assistance, or any questions regarding your product, please contact Battery Tender customer support. Lifetime customer support is provided.
For further assistance, please visit the official Battery Tender website or refer to the contact information provided with your product packaging.