Napa 85-435 Owner's Manual - page 12
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7
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Battery Type Switch
Use this button to set the type of battery to be charged.
Regular
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– Set the button to STARTING BATTERY. This battery type is
usually used in cars, trucks and motorcycles. These batteries have vent
caps and are often marked “Low Maintenance” or “Maintenance-free”.
This type of battery is designed to deliver quick bursts of energy (such
as starting engines) and have a greater plate count. The plates will also
be thinner and have somewhat different material composition. Regular
batteries should not be used for deep cycle applications.
Deep-Cycle
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– Set the button to DEEP CYCLE/GEL BATTERY. Deep-
cycle batteries are usually marked as “Deep-Cycle” or “Marine”. Deep-
cycle batteries are usually larger than the other types. This type of
battery has less instant energy but somewhat greater long-term energy
delivery than regular batteries. Deep cycle batteries have thicker plates
and can survive a number of discharge cycles.
AGM
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– Set the button to DEEP CYCLE/GEL BATTERY. The Absorbed
Glass Matt construction allows the electrolyte to be suspended in close
proximity with the plate’s active material. In theory, this enhances both
the discharge and recharge efficiency. Actually, the AGM batteries are
a variant of Sealed VRLA (valve regulated lead acid) batteries. Popular
uses include high performance engine starting, power sports, deep
cycle, solar and storage battery. AGM batteries are typically good deep
cycle batteries and they deliver best life performance if recharged be-
fore the battery drops below a 50 percent charge. If these AGM batter-
ies are completely discharged, the cycle life will be around 300 cycles.
This is true of most AGM batteries rated as deep cycle batteries.
GEL
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– Set the button to DEEP CYCLE/GEL BATTERY. The Gel Cell
is similar to the AGM style because the electrolyte is suspended, but
different because technically the AGM battery is still considered to be a
wet cell. The electrolyte in a GEL cell has a silica additive that causes it
to set up or stiffen. The recharge voltages on this type of cell are lower
than the other styles of lead acid battery. This is probably the most sen-
sitive cell in terms of adverse reactions to over-voltage charging. Gel
Batteries are best used in VERY DEEP cycle application and may last
a bit longer in hot weather applications. If the incorrect battery charger
is used on a Gel Cell battery, poor performance and premature failure
is certain.
Charge Rate Selector Switch
Use the Charge Rate selector switch to select the charge rate or engine
starting setting you require.
2A Slow Charge Rate
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– Intended for charging small batteries such as
those commonly used in garden tractors, snow mobiles and motorcy-
cles. NOTE: The 2A rate is not to be used as a trickle charger for larger
batteries.
10A Fast Charge Rate
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– Use for charging automotive, marine and
deep-cycle batteries. Not intended for industrial applications.