Motomaster 011-1505-8 Battery Charger: User Manual, Safety, and Operation Guide

❗ IMPORTANT: This manual contains important safety and operating instructions. Read all instructions and follow them when using this product.

Warranty Information

This MotoMaster® product carries a two (2) year warranty against defects in workmanship and materials. At its discretion, MotoMaster® Canada agrees to have any defective part(s) repaired or replaced free of charge, within the stated warranty period, when returned by the original purchaser with proof of purchase. This product is not guaranteed against wear or breakage due to misuse and/or abuse.

Imported by MotoMaster® Canada, Toronto, Canada M4S 2B8.

For questions, call Customer Service at 1-800-528-6817. Do not return this product to the store.

Technical Specifications

Input voltage	120 V AC
Input frequency	60 Hz
Input current	3 A charging / 18 A engine start
Output voltage	6 V/12 V DC
Output current	2 A/6 V DC, 2 A/12 V DC, 15 A/12 V DC, 100 A engine start
Power cord	6' (1.8 m)

Safety Information

Before using your MotoMaster® battery charger, be sure to read and save these safety instructions. Failure to do so could result in serious injury or death.

Abbreviations and Acronyms

A: Amp (Ampere)
AC: Alternating current
DC: Direct current
Ah: Amp-hour
mA: Milliampere
cm: Centimetre
mm: Millimetre
V: Volt

Important Safety Instructions

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS. This manual contains important safety and operating instructions.
Keep out of reach of children.
DO NOT expose the charger to rain or snow.
Use of an attachment not recommended or sold by the battery charger manufacturer may result in a risk of fire, electric shock or injury to persons, or damage to property.
To reduce the risk of damage to the electric plug or cord, pull by the plug rather than by the cord when disconnecting the charger.
An extension cord should not be used unless absolutely necessary. Use of an improper extension cord could result in a risk of fire and electric shock. If an extension cord must be used, make sure that:
1. The pins on the plug of the extension cord are the same number, size and shape as those of the plug on the charger.
2. The extension cord is properly wired and in good electrical condition.
3. The wire size is large enough for the AC ampere rating of the charger.
DO NOT operate the charger if it has received a sharp blow, been dropped, or damaged. Take it to a qualified service person.

Personal Precautions

NEVER smoke or allow a spark or flame in the vicinity of a battery or engine.
Remove personal metal items such as rings, bracelets, necklaces and watches when working with a lead-acid battery. A lead-acid battery can produce a short-circuit current high enough to weld a ring, causing a severe burn.
This charger employs parts, such as switches and circuit breakers, that tend to produce arcs and sparks. If used in a garage, place this charger 18” (46 cm) or more above floor level.
Use this charger for charging 6 V and 12 V lead-acid batteries only. It is not intended to supply power to a low voltage electrical system other than in a motor-starting application.
NEVER charge a frozen battery.
NEVER overcharge a battery.
Consider having someone nearby to come to your aid when you work near a lead acid battery.
Battery acid is a highly-corrosive sulfuric acid. Have plenty of fresh water and soap nearby in case battery acid comes into contact with your skin, clothing or eyes.
Wear complete eye and body protection, including safety goggles and protective clothing. Avoid touching your eyes while working near the battery.
If battery acid comes into contact with your skin or clothing, immediately wash the area with soap and water. If acid enters your eye, immediately flood the eye with cold running water for at least 10 minutes and seek medical attention right away.
If battery acid is accidentally swallowed, drink milk, the whites of eggs or water. Do not induce vomiting. Seek medical attention immediately.

Preparing to Charge

If it is necessary to remove the battery from the vehicle to charge it, always remove the grounded terminal first. Make sure all of the accessories in the vehicle are off to prevent arcing.
Be sure the area around the battery is well-ventilated while the battery is being charged.
Clean the battery terminals before charging the battery. During cleaning, keep airborne corrosion from coming into contact with your eyes, nose and mouth. Use baking soda and water to neutralize the battery acid and help eliminate airborne corrosion. DO NOT touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
Add distilled water to each cell until the battery acid reaches the level specified by the battery manufacturer. Do not overfill. For a battery without removable cell caps, such as valve-regulated lead-acid batteries (VRLA), carefully follow the manufacturer's recharging instructions.
Read, understand and follow all instructions for the charger, battery, vehicle and any equipment used near the battery and charger. Study the entire battery manufacturer's specific precautions while charging, and understand the recommended rates of charge.
Determine the voltage of the battery by referring to the vehicle's owner's manual. If the charger has an adjustable charge rate, charge the battery at the lowest rate first.
Make sure that the charger cable clips are tightly connected to the battery posts.

⚠️ WARNING! EXPLOSION HAZARD

Working in the vicinity of a lead-acid battery is dangerous. Batteries generate explosive gases during normal operation. For this reason, it is important that you follow the instructions each time you use the charger.
To reduce the risk of a battery explosion, follow the instructions and those published by the battery manufacturer and the manufacturer of any equipment you intend to use in the vicinity of the battery. Review the cautionary markings on these products and on the engine.
DO NOT drop a metal tool onto the battery. It could cause a spark or short-circuit the battery or other electrical part which could cause an explosion.
DO NOT use this battery charger for charging dry-cell batteries that are commonly used with home appliances. These batteries may burst and cause injury to persons and damage to property.

Charger Location

Place the charger as far away from the battery as the DC cables permit.
NEVER place the charger directly above the battery being charged; gases from the battery will corrode and damage the charger.
DO NOT set the battery on top of the charger.
DO NOT set the battery charger on flammable items, such as carpeting, upholstery, paper, cardboard, etc. The charger always generates heat and may damage leather and melt plastic or rubber.
NEVER allow battery acid to drip onto the charger when reading the electrolyte specific gravity or filling the battery.
DO NOT operate the charger in a closed-in area or restrict the ventilation in any way.

DC Connection Precautions

Connect and disconnect the DC output clips only after removing the AC plug from the electrical outlet. NEVER allow the clips to touch each other.

Steps When Battery is Installed in Vehicle

Position the AC and DC cables to reduce the risk of damage by the hood, door and moving or hot engine parts.
Stay clear of fan blades, belts, pulleys and other parts that can cause injury.

Battery Post Polarity and Grounding:

Check the polarity of the battery posts. The positive (pos, P, +) battery post usually has a larger diameter than the negative (neg, N, -) post.
Determine which post of the battery is grounded (connected) to the chassis. If the negative post is grounded to the chassis (as in most vehicles), see step (i). If the positive post is grounded to the chassis, see step (ii).

For a negative-grounded vehicle:

Connect the positive (red) clip (1) from the battery charger to the positive (pos, P, +) ungrounded post (2) of the battery. Connect the negative (black) clip (3) to the vehicle chassis or engine block (4) away from the battery (see Figure A).

Figure A Description: A diagram shows the battery charger with four connection points labeled: 1 (positive red clip), 2 (positive battery post), 3 (negative black clip), and 4 (vehicle chassis or engine block).

For a positive-grounded vehicle:

Connect the negative (black) clip (1) from the battery charger to the negative (neg, N, -) ungrounded post (2) of the battery. Connect the positive (red) clip (3) to the vehicle chassis or engine block (4) away from the battery (see Figure B).

Figure B Description: A diagram shows the battery charger with four connection points labeled: 1 (negative black clip), 2 (negative battery post), 3 (positive red clip), and 4 (vehicle chassis or engine block).

Connect charger AC supply cord to electrical outlet.
When disconnecting the charger, disconnect the AC cord, remove the clip from the vehicle chassis, and then remove the clip from the battery terminal.
Refer to "Calculating Charge Time" for length of charge information.

Steps When Battery is Outside of Vehicle

Check the polarity of the battery posts. The positive (pos, P, +) battery post usually has a larger diameter than the negative (neg, N, -) post.
Ensure that all of the charger components are in place and in good working condition, including the plastic boots on the battery clips.
Attach at least a 24" (61 cm) long 6-gauge (AWG) insulated battery cable (1) to the negative (neg, N, -) battery post (2) (see Figure C).
Connect the positive (red) charger clip (3) to the positive (pos, P, +) post (4) of the battery (see Figure C).

Figure C Description: A diagram illustrates connecting an auxiliary cable. It shows a battery post (2) connected to an auxiliary cable (1), with the positive charger clip (3) ready to connect to the positive battery post (4).

Position yourself and the free end of the cable you previously attached to the negative (neg, N, -) battery post, as far away from the battery as possible, then connect the negative (black) charger clip (1) to the free end of the cable (2). Do not face the battery when making final connection (see Figure D).

Figure D Description: A diagram shows the final connection for an external battery. The negative charger clip (1) is connected to the free end of the auxiliary cable (2), which is positioned away from the battery.

⚠️ WARNING

Connect the charger clip to a heavy-gauge metal part of the frame or engine block.
DO NOT connect the charger clip to the carburetor, fuel lines or sheet-metal body parts.

Grounding and AC Power Cord Connections

This battery charger is for use on a nominal 120 V circuit and has a grounded plug. The charger must be grounded to reduce the risk of electric shock. The plug must be plugged into an outlet that is properly installed and grounded in accordance with all local codes and ordinances. The plug pins must fit the receptacle (outlet). Do not use with an ungrounded system.
Never alter the AC cord or plug provided. If it does not fit the outlet, have a properly-grounded outlet installed by a qualified electrician. An improper connection can result in a risk of an electric shock or electrocution.

Recommended Minimum AWG Size for Extension Cord

Length of cord	<100' (30.5 m)	>100' (30.5 m)
AWG* size of cord	16	14

* AWG: American Wire Gauge

NOTE:

A marine (boat) battery must be removed and charged on shore. To charge it onboard requires equipment specially designed for marine use.
Remove all cord wraps and uncoil the cables prior to using the battery charger.
A buzz or hum is normal when the output cables have been disconnected and the AC power cord is still connected to an electrical source (i.e. wall outlet).
Pursuant to Canadian regulations, use of an adapter plug is not allowed in Canada.

Key Parts List

The battery charger features the following components:

1: Ammeter
2: Power cord
3: Charge rate selector switch
4: Check battery (red) LED indicator
5: Battery type selector switch
6: Battery clips
7: Full charge (green) LED indicator

Diagram Description: An illustration of the battery charger shows the location of each numbered component: the ammeter (1) and LED indicators (4, 7) on the front panel, the power cord (2) at the rear, and the charge rate selector switch (3), battery type selector switch (5), and battery clips (6) on the front panel.

Important Information

This MotoMaster® battery charger is easy to use and designed for years of reliable service. This MotoMaster® battery charger is used to charge only 6 V and 12 V lead-acid batteries including deep cycle and Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries.

Battery Charger Components Explained

Ammeter (1)

The ammeter indicates the amount of current, measured in amps, that is being drawn by the battery. As a battery takes on a charge, it draws less current from the charger. Correspondingly, the meter will show less current is being drawn by the battery. When the current stops decreasing, the battery is charged. The 2 A charge rate may indicate some activity on the meter, although the meter does not have the resolution to display this low rate.

The START area of the meter indicates when a high rate of current is being drawn from the charger. It is normal for the meter to be on the START area while using engine start.

Diagram Description: An illustration of the ammeter shows a scale with labels such as 'START', 'CHARGE', 'FULL', and percentage indicators (0, 25, 50, 75, 100).

LED Indicators

Check Battery (Red) LED Indicator (4): When lit, this indicator signifies there is something wrong with the battery. Check the DC connections for an improper connection; otherwise, the battery may be bad.
Full Charge (Green) LED Indicator (7): When lit, this indicator signifies that the battery is fully charged and the charger has stopped charging and has switched to the maintain mode of operation.

Battery Type Switch (5)

Use this switch to set the type of battery to be charged.

Conventional: These are the most common type of batteries and are usually used to start engines for cars, trucks, motorcycles, etc. They are designed to deliver short, high-current bursts. These batteries have vent caps and are often marked as "low maintenance” or “maintenance-free".
Deep-cycle and AGM: Deep cycle batteries are designed to withstand repeated discharges and are commonly used in marine and RV applications. AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries can be found in either starting or deep cycle applications. These batteries have a sealed case without vent caps. There is no free-flowing electrolyte inside these batteries. The electrolyte is absorbed into sponge-like glass mat separators.

Charge Rate Selector Switch (3)

Use this switch to set the maximum charge rate to one of the following:

6 V MANUAL: Manual operation to charge medium and large size 6 V lead-acid batteries. Monitor frequently while charging a battery.
12 V 2 A AUTOMATIC/6 V ENGINE START: Intended for charging small 12 V batteries (31 Ah or less) or to warm larger lead-acid batteries. It can also be used as Engine Start to assist in engine cranking of 6 V systems.
12 V 15 A AUTOMATIC: Select 15 A automatic for a faster charge for larger 12 V batteries. Not intended for industrial applications.
12 V ENGINE START: 100 A Engine Start to assist in engine cranking of 12 V systems. Do not use for 6 V batteries.

Operation

Manual Charging (6 V Only)

When a MANUAL CHARGE is performed, the charger will continue to charge and will not shut off. You must keep a visual check on the ammeter to determine when the battery is charged. Be sure to monitor the charging process and stop it when the battery is charged. Not doing so may cause damage to your battery or result in other property damage or personal injury.

Automatic Charging (12 V Only)

When an AUTOMATIC CHARGE is performed, the charger automatically switches to the maintain mode once the battery is charged.

When the FULL CHARGE (green) LED is lit, the charger has stopped charging and switched to the maintain mode of operation.

Maintain Mode

When the FULL CHARGE (green) LED is lit, the charger has started maintain mode. In this mode, the charger keeps the battery fully charged by delivering a small current, when necessary. If the battery voltage drops below a preset level, the charger will go back into charge mode until the battery voltage returns to the full charge level, at which point the charger will return to maintain mode. The voltage is maintained at a level determined by the battery type selected.

Note: An automatic charger automatically switches between charge mode and maintain mode as necessary. The FULL CHARGE (green) LED will light up when the battery is at full charge and off when the voltage drops below a preset level and the charger goes into charge mode. This cycle will continue, and the FULL CHARGE (green) LED will stay on for longer periods of time as the battery becomes more fully charged. This is not applicable to manual chargers.

Note: The maintain mode technology utilized in this charger allows you to safely charge and maintain a healthy battery for extended periods of time. However, problems with the battery, electrical problems in the vehicle, improper connections or other unanticipated conditions could cause excessive current draws. Occasionally monitoring your battery and the charging process is recommended.

Using the Engine Start Feature

Your battery charger can be used to jump-start your car if the battery is low. Follow these instructions on how to use the ENGINE START feature.

With the charger unplugged from the AC outlet, connect the charger to the battery. Refer to the instructions in the safety information section.
Plug the charger's AC power cord into the AC outlet.
With the charger plugged in and connected to the battery of the vehicle, set the charge rate selector switch (1) to the appropriate ENGINE START position (6 V or 12 V) (see Figure E).

Figure E Description: A diagram of the charger's control panel highlights the charge rate selector switch (labeled '1'). The switch positions shown are: 6V Manual, 12V 2A Automatic, 12V 15A Automatic, 6V Engine Start, and 12V Engine Start.

❗ IMPORTANT!

Follow all safety instructions and precautions for charging your battery. Wear complete eye protection and clothing protection. Charge your battery in a well-ventilated area.

⚠️ CAUTION! EQUIPMENT DAMAGE

Using the ENGINE START feature WITHOUT a battery installed in the vehicle could cause damage to the vehicle's electrical system.

NOTE: If you have charged the battery, and it still will not start your car, do not use the ENGINE START feature, or it could damage the vehicle's electrical system.

Calculating Charge Time

Use the following table to more accurately determine the time it will take to bring a battery to full charge. Find your battery's rating on the chart below, and note the charge time given for each charger setting. The times given are for batteries with a 50% charge prior to recharging. Add more time for severely discharged batteries.

BATTERY SIZE/RATING	CHARGE RATE/CHARGING TIME
BATTERY SIZE/RATING	2 A	15 A
Small batteries Motorcycle, garden 6 – 12 Ah	2 – 3 3/4 h	NR
tractor, etc 12 – 32 Ah	3 3/4 – 10 h	NR
Cars/trucks 200 – 315 CCA 40 – 60 RC	11 1/4 – 14 1/2 h	1 1/2 – 2 h
315 – 550 CCA 60 – 85 RC	14 1/2 – 18 1/4 h	2 – 2 1/2 h
550 – 1000 CCA 85 – 190 RC	18 1/4 – 34 3/4 h	2 1/2 – 4 1/2 h
Marine/deep-cycle 80 RC	17 1/2 h	2 1/4 h
140 RC	27 h	3 1/2 h
160 RC	30 h	4 h
180 RC	33 h	4 1/2 h

CCA: Cold cranking amps. RC: Reserve capacity. Ah: Amp hour. NR: Not recommended.