Motomaster Eliminator Precision Series Battery Charger

Introduction

The Motomaster Eliminator® Precision Series Battery Charger features advanced technology that makes battery charging faster, easier, and safer while helping to maximize the performance and life of your batteries.

This battery charger is designed for use on all types of 12-volt lead-acid batteries including Wet (flooded), Maintenance-free (MF), Calcium (Ca), Enhanced Flooded (EFB), Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM), and Gel. It is suitable for charging batteries from 5 to 140 Amp-hours and maintaining batteries from 5 to 500 Amp-hours.

This manual will explain how to use the charger safely and effectively. Please read and follow these instructions and precautions carefully.

Important Safety Instructions

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

• Read all instructions, warnings, and cautions printed on the battery charger, battery and vehicle or equipment using battery.
• Do not expose 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.
• To reduce risk of electric shock, unplug charger from outlet before attempting any maintenance or cleaning. Turning off controls will not reduce this risk.
• To reduce risk of damage to electric plug and cord, pull by plug rather than cord when disconnecting charger.
• An extension cord should not be used unless absolutely necessary. Use of improper extension cord could result in a risk of fire and electric shock. If an extension cord must be used, make sure:
  • The pins on plug of extension cord are the same number, size, and shape as those of plug on charger.
  • The extension cord is properly wired and in good electrical condition.
  • The wire size is large enough for the AC ampere rating of the charger, as specified in the chart below.

Minimum Recommended Extension Cord

*AWG = American Wire Gauge

Warning-Risk of Explosive Gases

• Working in the vicinity of a lead-acid battery is dangerous. Batteries generate explosive gases during normal battery operation. For this reason, it is of utmost importance that you follow the instructions each time you use the charger.
• To reduce risk of battery explosion, follow these instructions and those published by battery manufacturer and manufacturer of any equipment you intend to use in the vicinity of the battery. Review cautionary markings on these products and on engine.

Personal Safety Instructions

• Consider having someone close by to come to your aid when you work near a lead-acid battery.
• Wear complete eye protection and clothing protection. Avoid touching eyes while working near battery.
• Never smoke or allow a spark or flame in vicinity of battery or engine.
• Take extra precautions to avoid dropping a metal tool onto the battery. It may spark or create a short circuit that can cause an explosion.
• 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 or the like to metal, causing a severe burn.
• Have plenty of fresh water and soap nearby in case battery acid contacts skin, clothing, or eyes.
• If battery acid contacts skin or clothing, wash immediately with soap and water. If acid enters eye, immediately flood eye with running cold water for at least 10 minutes and get medical attention immediately.

AC Electrical Connections

Plugging Charger In

Your charger requires a 120 V AC electrical wall outlet receptacle installed according to local codes and ordinances.

Connecting Your Battery

If Battery is Installed in Vehicle

• Be sure area around battery is well ventilated while battery is being charged.
• Clean battery terminals. Be careful to keep corrosion from coming in contact with eyes.
• Add distilled water in each cell until battery acid reaches level specified by battery manufacturer. Do not overfill. For a battery without removable cell caps, such as valve-regulated lead-acid batteries, carefully follow manufacturer's recharging instructions.
• Study all battery manufacturer's specific precautions while charging and follow recommended rates of charge.
• Determine voltage of battery by referring to car owner's manual and make sure that output voltage selector switch is set at the correct voltage. If charger has an adjustable charge rate, charge battery initially at lowest rate.
• Position AC and DC cords to reduce risk of damage by hood, door or moving engine part.
• Stay clear of fan blades, belts, pulleys, and other parts that can cause injury to persons.
• Check polarity of battery posts. POSITIVE (POS, P, +) battery post usually has larger diameter than NEGATIVE (NEG, N, -) post.
• Determine which post of battery is grounded (connected) to the chassis.
• For negative-grounded vehicle, connect POSITIVE (RED) clip from battery charger to POSITIVE (POS, P, +) ungrounded post of battery. Connect NEGATIVE (BLACK) clip to vehicle chassis or engine block away from battery. DO NOT connect clip to carburetor, fuel lines, or sheet-metal body parts. Connect to a heavy-gauge metal part of the frame or engine block.
• Do not face battery when making final connection.
• When disconnecting charger, always do so in reverse sequence of connecting procedure and break first connection while as far away from battery as practical.
• When disconnecting charger, turn switches to off, disconnect AC cord, remove clip from vehicle chassis, and then remove clip from battery terminal.

If Battery is Outside Vehicle

• Check polarity of battery posts. POSITIVE (POS, P, +) battery post usually has larger diameter than NEGATIVE (NEG, N, -) post.
• For negative-grounded vehicle, connect NEGATIVE (BLACK) clip from battery charger to NEGATIVE (NEG, N, -) ungrounded post of battery. Connect POSITIVE (RED) clip to vehicle chassis or engine block away from battery. Do not connect clip to carburetor, fuel lines, or sheet-metal body parts. Connect to a heavy-gauge metal part of the frame or engine block.
• Do not face battery when making final connection.
• When disconnecting charger, always do so in reverse sequence of connecting procedure and break first connection while as far away from battery as practical.
• A marine (boat) battery must be removed and charged on shore. To charge it on board requires equipment specially designed for marine use.

WARNING: A SPARK NEAR THE BATTERY MAY CAUSE A BATTERY EXPLOSION. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF A SPARK NEAR THE BATTERY:

• Attach at least a 24" (61 cm) 6-gauge (AWG) insulated battery cable to NEGATIVE (NEG, N, -) battery post.
• Connect POSITIVE (RED) charger clip to POSITIVE (POS, P, +) post of battery.

Controls and Indicators

This battery charger has an easy-to-follow 4-LED charge status indicator: 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%. This indicator provides an estimate of the battery's state of charge as charging progresses. During charging, the corresponding state of charge LED will be flashing. When the 100% LED lights solid (i.e., stops flashing), the battery is fully charged and the charger has entered the Maintain stage.

Fault/Error Indicator

The charger will continuously monitor charge progress and collect feedback from the battery during charging. In the event an abnormal condition is detected, charging will stop and the indicator will illuminate to indicate one of three possible error conditions:

• Amber (solid): Power ON but no battery detected: Check to ensure that clamp connections to the battery posts are clean and solid. If connections are good, the battery is severely discharged (<1.5 V) and may be unsafe to charge. The battery should be tested or replaced.
• Red (flashing): Fault/error: Charging aborted due to some abnormality detected such as a defective battery or short circuit (see Troubleshooting).
• Red (solid): Reverse polarity: Reverse clamp connections.

Charging Modes

There are 6 charging modes to choose from. Pressing the MODE button repeatedly to cycle through each of the four regular modes. To select the two special modes (RECONDITIONING or POWER SUPPLY), hold the MODE button for 3 seconds. Charging will automatically begin about 5 seconds after the charge mode has been selected.

NOTE: The battery charger will retain the last selected mode in memory. In the event AC power is disrupted (e.g., power failure), the charger will re-start in the last selected mode once power is restored.

For best results, check the charging recommendations on your battery or consult with the battery manufacturer.

Examples of Battery Sizes in Common Applications

• Motorcycle, scooter, ATV, personal watercraft, snowmobile: Small (10-25 Ah)
• Compact car, mid-size sedan, compact SUV, riding mower, UTV: Medium (30-50 Ah)
• Full-size car, large SUV, truck, boat, RV, farm tractor: Large (60-100 Ah)
• Large marine, tractor trailer, bus, multiple batteries connected in a bank: Extra large (100 Ah+)

For reference only. Please check the specifications listed on your battery or consult with the battery manufacturer.

Charging Your Battery

1. Connect the charger clamps to the battery (following the steps outlined in "Connecting Your Battery").
2. Plug the charger AC plug into an electrical outlet.
3. Press the MODE button to select a regular charging program.

NOTE: If a fault or error is detected, the indicator will illuminate (see Charge Status Indicators).

NOTE: If no selection is made within 5 seconds, the charger will default to the last selection in memory and automatically begin charging.

Once the battery reaches full charge, the charger will automatically move into Maintain mode to safely keep your battery topped up without risk of overcharging.

Understanding Factors That Affect Charging Time

The time it takes to fully recharge a battery depends on several factors including:

1. Battery Depth of Discharge: The greater the depth of discharge, the longer it will take to fully charge a battery. For example, a battery discharged to a level of 50% will take about twice as long to fully charge than a battery discharged only 25%.
2. Battery Size: If charged at the same current, a larger (higher capacity) battery will require more time to fully charge than a smaller (lower capacity) battery. This difference can be overcome by charging larger batteries at a higher current.
3. Battery Age and Condition: As a battery ages, its internal resistance will increase, impacting its ability to accept current. This effect is particularly noticeable in batteries that have not been well-maintained over their life.
4. Battery Type: Some battery chemistries, such as AGM and gel, have lower internal resistance which means they can accept charge better without generating damaging heat. Such batteries can charge up to 2 times faster than traditional wet battery types.
5. Charge Rate: The charge rate is measured in amperes (A). A battery charged at a lower rate will take longer to fully charge than a battery charged at a higher rate. This does not mean that one should always charge a battery at the highest ampere available as this can cause overheating and premature battery failure. A battery should be charged at a rate appropriate for its size-a good, safe rule of thumb is about 1/10th its Amp-hour capacity (e.g., 100 Ah battery x 1/10=10 A).
6. Cold Temperature: Cold temperatures slow down the chemical reaction that takes place inside a battery when it is charging. Charging a battery at a cold temperature can greatly increase the amount of time required to charge the battery. Ideal charging temperature is between 10 to 25°C (50 to 77°F).

Understanding the Multi-Stage Charging Process

The multi-stage charging process optimizes battery performance and longevity. The stages are:

• Stage 1 Desulphation*: Pulses of voltage and current help recover sulphated or deeply discharged batteries.
• Stage 2 Soft Start*: Gently introduces current to condition deeply discharged batteries and prevent overheating that could damage the battery.
• Stage 3 Bulk: Charging with maximum current to bring the battery to about 80% capacity.
• Stage 4 Absorption: Charging with constant voltage while reducing current to safely bring the battery to 100% capacity. This stage is key to maximizing battery performance and battery life.
• Stage 5 Analyze: Tests if battery is holding charge.
• Stage 6 Maintenance: Monitors battery voltage and provides top-up charging when necessary to keep battery fully charged.

*If necessary

Maintenance and Care

• Wipe clean cords and clamps after each use.
• Store the power and output cables neatly to prevent damage.
• The charger housing may be cleaned using a damp cloth and mild cleaning agent.
• Always unplug the charger when not in use.
• Keep the charger stored in a cool, dry place.

Troubleshooting

Technical Specifications