How Do You Use Schumacher Battery Maintainer? [Step By Step Guide]

Do you have a Schumacher battery maintainer but don't know how to use it? You've landed on the right page. We've researched the proper way to connect it to your car battery and we'll tell you how.

Here's how to use a Schumacher battery maintainer:

Prepare the battery.
Connect the clamps of the battery maintainer to the battery.
Plug into a power outlet.
Choose the appropriate battery type and size on the control panel.
Leave it on until you have to use the battery.

Keep on reading for more detailed instructions on how to use your Schumacher battery maintainer. We'll also answer if you can leave the battery maintainer on all the time. Let's get down to business!

Schumacher Battery Maintainer

When you won't be driving your car for a long time, you have to do something about your battery. Even if it's at full capacity and in good health when you stop using the car, its charge can be completely drained if left unused for more than a month or two.

This is because even when your car is parked, many electric components draw power from your battery. Just think about your car's security alarm system, sensors, and lights. With the engine off, they get their power from the battery. It's good when you use the car since the alternator can recharge the battery while the engine is running.

That's why when your car won't see any action for some time, it's a good idea to disconnect the battery. But take note that even then, the battery will slowly lose its charge, especially during extreme temperature conditions.

This is where a Schumacher battery maintainer will be of so much help. This is recommended for battery maintenance during winter or when you have to be away for a long vacation.

Check out this Schumacher battery maintainer on Amazon.

The battery maintainer will prevent the depletion of your battery's charge which can lead to sulfation or the buildup of lead sulfate on the battery's surface. When this happens, it is more difficult to charge your battery, or worse, you won't be able to use it again and you have to buy yourself a new battery. We all know how expensive that can get.

So, good job on getting a Schumacher battery charger and maintainer for your car battery. Now, all that's left to do is to know how to use it so that you can maximize its use and keep your car battery in good condition while it is not in use.

Manufacturers say that the Schumacher car battery charger and maintainer is user-friendly. Make sure you have the battery clamp and ring connector with you. They have a quick connect feature so that you can begin using your battery charger right away.

This battery maintainer is controlled by a microprocessor. It is a multi-stage charger that will help optimize your battery's charge, health, and lifespan. It monitors the battery level and will automatically stop charging once it is full.

It will also send small amounts of current as needed as various external factors cause the battery to lose its charge little by little. Through this, your battery is kept in optimal condition and ready for use anytime.

Using a Schumacher Battery Charger Maintainer

Here's a guide on how to use your Schumacher battery maintainer.

1. Practice Safety

Put on your safety glasses and gloves when working with lead-acid batteries as they generate harmful gases. Avoid contact with battery acid. It is also best to remove your rings, bracelets, watches, and necklaces while doing this. These metal accessories can cause a short circuit when they come into contact with lead acid and consequently cause a severe burn on your skin.

2. Confirm Compatibility

This charger can be used for standard, AGM, deep-cycle, and lithium-ion battery types. Check if it is compatible with your car battery.

Go through the battery manufacturer's recharging instructions before you proceed. Check its voltage and the recommended rate of charge so that you can use the battery charger maintainer properly.

3. Prepare the Battery

You can remove the battery from your car or it can stay in the engine compartment if you have a covered garage. Make sure your engine is off.

If you have to disconnect the battery, put it in a level and well-ventilated area. Clean the battery terminals. Add distilled water to the battery cells if needed.

4. Connect the Battery Maintainer

First, make sure all switches are in the Off position, then connect the Schumacher battery maintainer to the battery using the clamps. Connect the red clamp to the positive battery post and the black clamp to a free cable end. If the battery is still connected to the vehicle, you can connect this to any metal part of the car - on the chassis or engine block as long as it is a good distance away from the battery unit.

5. Plug into a Power Outlet

Plug the car battery charger and maintainer into a power source. The outlet should be properly installed and wired. There should be enough space between the battery and the charger. The use of an extension cord is not recommended. Do not put the charger on top of the battery because the gases from the battery will corrode and damage it.

6. Choose the Right Settings

On the control panel, choose the particular battery type and size that you're using. The light on the control panel will turn green when the battery is fully charged. But do not disconnect the charger from the battery. Just leave it attached there until you have to use the battery again.

7. Maintaining Mode

Once the battery is fully charged, the charger will now go into maintaining mode or float mode so that it won't lose charge while in storage. During this time, it will deliver a small amount of current to your battery but only when necessary. This way, the battery is ready for use whenever you need it.

8. Disconnect and Store the Battery Maintainer

When it is time to disconnect the Schumacher car battery charger and maintainer, unplug it from the power outlet. Remove the black/negative clamp first before the red/positive clamp. Clean the clamps in case there are battery fluids on their surface. Store the charger in an upright position in a cool and dry place.

Here is a video showing how to connect the Schumacher battery maintainer for your reference.

There you go! That's how you use the Schumacher battery maintainer. It's so easy, right? There might be some modifications depending on the model that you have so always check the owner's manual. But after you set it up, you can leave it there and it'll take care of your battery.

Can you leave a battery maintainer on all the time?

We all know that overcharging a battery is bad for its health. If done repeatedly, it can damage the battery to a point where it can no longer be functional leaving you with no choice but to buy a new battery for your car.

That's why it is understandable why many users are concerned about leaving the charger attached to the battery long after it has reached full charge.

If you're using a manual car battery charger, you should be vigilant in monitoring your charger. You can also use other tools such as an ammeter or voltmeter to help you determine if the battery is fully charged already. There are multimeters available in the market that have these functions.

Find this digital multimeter on Amazon.

But if you're using an automatic or smart battery charger, this won't be a problem. These chargers can monitor the battery level by themselves and will shut off immediately once the battery has reached full capacity. There's no need to disconnect the charger from the battery right away because it won't be overcharged.

Those with battery maintainer functions will do this and more. They will detect when the battery loses charge and will charge it once more so that it stays at an optimum level. It will still continue to monitor the battery level and send small currents as needed since there are external factors such as temperature and electronics that still consume power from the battery even when the car is not in use.

Battery maintainers have been specifically designed to withstand long-term use. As long as you use them properly, they are safe to leave attached to your battery for an indefinite period.

Final Thoughts

Using a Schumacher battery maintainer is so easy and convenient. Make good use of it to make your battery last longer and keep it in optimal condition until such time that you need to use it again.

Feel free to click the following links to read more on related topics:

Why Does My Schumacher Battery Charger Turn On And Off Repeatedly?

Can I Use An Extension Cord With A Car Battery Charger?