Projecta AC015 Charge N’ Maintain Battery Charger FAQ & Troubleshooting Guide

Projecta AC015 Charge N’ Maintain Battery Charger FAQ & Troubleshooting Guide

Projecta AC015 Charge N’ Maintain Battery Charger FAQ & Troubleshooting Guide


Applies To

Projecta AC015
Charge N’ Maintain Battery Charger
12V 1.5A 4 Stage Switchmode Battery Charger


Overview

The Projecta AC015 is a compact 12V 1.5A automatic battery charger designed for maintaining small to medium 12V batteries.

It uses 4-stage automatic charging to safely charge and maintain the battery. Once the battery is fully charged, the charger moves into float mode and can remain connected to maintain the battery.

The AC015 is suitable for 12V automotive, marine and LiFePO4 batteries within the rated battery range.


Key Features

The AC015 includes:

4-stage automatic charging
Battery health check
Bulk charging
Absorption charging
Float maintenance charging
Switchmode technology
Spark-free protection
Reverse polarity protection
IP65 weatherproof rating
LED charge indicator
Fused wiring harness or battery clips
Mounting bracket and 3m extension lead


Battery Compatibility

What batteries can the AC015 charge?

The AC015 is designed for 12V rechargeable batteries only.

The manual states it is suitable for most 12V automotive, marine and lithium batteries.

What battery size is suitable for the AC015?

The AC015 is intended for maintenance charging of small to medium batteries.

Battery range:

Automotive: 200–650CCA
Marine: 250–700MCA
Lithium LiFePO4: 1–15Ah

Can the AC015 charge 6V or 24V batteries?

No.
The AC015 is a 12V battery charger only.

Do not use it on 6V or 24V batteries.


Charging Operation

How does the AC015 charge the battery?

The AC015 uses a 4-stage charging process:

Battery Health Check — Checks that the battery can accept charge.
Bulk — Charges at maximum current up to the set voltage.
Absorption — Charges the battery to 100% using constant voltage.
Float — Maintains the battery at full charge without overcharging.

Can the AC015 be left connected?

Yes.
Once fully charged, the charger enters float mode and can remain connected to maintain the battery.

For permanent hard-wired installations, if the vehicle will not be used for some time, it is recommended to leave the charger connected to mains power so it can maintain the battery.


How to Use

Before charging

Before using the AC015:

Read the instruction manual.
Use in a well-ventilated area.
Keep flames, sparks and smoking materials away from the battery.
Do not charge a frozen battery.
Do not charge a damaged, leaking or non-rechargeable battery.
Turn off vehicle accessories before charging.
Disconnect the 240V mains supply before making or breaking battery connections.


Battery out of vehicle

  1. Connect the red lead to the positive + battery post.
  2. Connect the black lead to the negative – battery post.
  3. Connect the charger to 240V mains power.
  4. Allow the charger to complete the automatic charge cycle.

Battery in vehicle — negative earth

Most vehicles are negative earth.

  1. Connect the red lead to the positive + battery terminal.
  2. Connect the black lead to the vehicle chassis away from fuel lines or moving parts.
  3. Connect the charger to 240V mains power.
  4. Allow the charger to complete the automatic charge cycle.

Battery in vehicle — positive earth

  1. Connect the black lead to the negative – battery terminal.
  2. Connect the red lead to the vehicle chassis away from fuel lines or moving parts.
  3. Connect the charger to 240V mains power.
  4. Allow the charger to complete the automatic charge cycle.

Permanent Hard Wiring

Can the AC015 be hard wired to the battery?

Yes.
The AC015 can be hard wired using the supplied fused wiring harness.

For AC015, use a 3A fuse.

Connection:

  1. Connect the red lead with inline fuse and ring terminal to the positive + battery post.
  2. Remove the supplied fuse during installation.
  3. Connect the black lead with ring terminal to the negative – battery post.
  4. Fit the correctly rated fuse.
  5. Connect the charger to mains power when battery maintenance is required.

Any modification to the 240V mains lead must be carried out by a qualified person.


LED Indicators

How do I know if the AC015 is charging?

The LED indicator shows the charger status.

Green flashing — Charging
Green solid — Fully charged / float mode
Yellow — Fault condition

How do I know if the battery is fully charged?

The charger will show the full / charged indication.

A battery hydrometer can also be used on serviceable lead acid batteries. A reading of 1.250 or more in each cell indicates a fully charged battery.


Common Troubleshooting

The AC015 will not start charging. What should I check?

Check the following:

Battery voltage is above the minimum start voltage.
Battery connections are clean and secure.
Red lead is connected to positive +.
Black lead is connected to negative – or correct chassis earth.
The 240V mains outlet is switched ON.
The battery is not frozen, damaged or faulty.

The AC015 is designed to start charging from 2.0V. If the battery voltage is lower than 2.0V, the charger may not start.


The battery is very flat and the charger will not start. What can be done?

If the battery is below 2.0V, the charger may not detect it.

The manual advises that booster cables can be used between two batteries to provide more than 2.0V to the battery being charged. Once the charger starts charging, the booster cables can be removed.

This should only be done by a competent person and only if the battery is safe to charge.


The yellow fault indicator is on. What does this mean?

A yellow fault indication can be caused by:

Reverse polarity
Poor battery connection
Battery voltage too low
Faulty battery
Battery unable to accept charge

Check the battery leads, polarity and battery condition.


Can I use the AC015 as a power supply?

No.
The AC015 is designed to supply power only when correctly connected to a battery.

This spark-free safety feature prevents the charger from being used as a standalone power supply.


The battery charges but goes flat again. What should I check?

The battery may not be holding charge.

Possible causes include:

Sulphated battery
Faulty cell
Battery at end of life
Parasitic drain in the vehicle
Accessory or load left ON

Load-test the battery before replacing the charger.


Specifications

Part number: AC015
Input: 240VAC, 50Hz
Input current: 0.4A
Output voltage: 12V
Output current: 1.5A
Minimum start voltage: 2.0V
Back drain: 1mA
Bulk charge voltage: 14.4V
Absorption voltage: 14.4V
Float voltage: 13.5V
Battery range: Maintenance
Automotive range: 200–650CCA
Marine range: 250–700MCA
LiFePO4 range: 1–15Ah
Size: 150 x 45 x 70mm
Weight: 0.34kg


Safety Warnings

Do not attempt to charge non-rechargeable batteries.
Never charge a frozen battery.
Use in a well-ventilated area.
Keep sparks and flames away from the battery.
Disconnect mains power before connecting or disconnecting battery leads.
Do not use the charger if the AC cord is damaged.
Do not allow children to use or play with the charger.
Do not submerge the charger or plug in water.
The charger must be plugged into an earthed socket-outlet.


When to Escalate

Escalate the case if:

The charger repeatedly shows fault after polarity and battery condition are confirmed.
The battery is swollen, leaking, frozen or physically damaged.
The charger case, AC cord or output leads are damaged.
The customer reports overheating, smoke, burning smell or sparking.
The charger trips mains power.
The unit behaviour does not match the manual.
Warranty assessment is required.


Warranty Information

The manual states the AC015 is covered by a 1-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship under normal use.

Warranty does not cover ordinary wear and tear, abuse, product alteration or damage caused by the consumer.


Contact Support

If the issue continues after completing the troubleshooting steps, stop using the charger and contact Projecta support.

Please provide:

Product model
Battery type
Battery voltage
Battery CCA, MCA or Ah rating
Description of the issue
LED status shown on the charger
Photos of the battery connection
Proof of purchase, if warranty assessment is required