Projecta AC040
Charge N’ Maintain Battery Charger
6V / 12V 4A 8 Stage Switchmode Battery Charger
The Projecta AC040 is a fully automatic 8-stage battery charger designed for charging and maintaining 6V and 12V lead acid batteries.
It is suitable for most 12V automotive, marine and deep-cycle batteries. The AC040 can also charge 6V batteries when the correct 6V mode is selected.
The charger uses automatic charging to help prevent overcharging. Once the battery is fully charged, the charger moves into float mode and can remain connected to maintain the battery.
The AC040 includes:
8-stage automatic charging
6V and 12V charging modes
1A slow charge mode
4A fast charge mode
Winter charging mode
Interactive LCD screen
Battery voltage display
Battery gauge display
Spark-free protection
Reverse polarity protection
IP65 weatherproof rating
Switchmode technology
Fused wiring harness or battery clips
The AC040 is designed for rechargeable lead acid batteries.
It can charge:
6V lead acid batteries
12V automotive batteries
12V marine batteries
12V deep-cycle batteries
No.
This manual states the AC040 is for lead acid batteries only.
Do not use the AC040 to charge lithium batteries unless confirmed by an updated controlled Projecta manual or technical advice.
Recommended battery range:
Deep cycle: 7–80Ah
Automotive: 40–480CCA
Marine: 55–650MCA
No.
The AC040 is suitable for 6V and 12V batteries only.
The AC040 uses an 8-stage charging process:
Battery Rescue — Applies high voltage to help break down lead sulphate build-up in heavily sulphated batteries.
Soft Pulse — Pulses a small current as the battery starts to accept charge.
Pulse Charge — Increases pulse current as the battery continues to accept charge.
Soft Start — Gently introduces power to protect the battery.
Bulk — Charges at the maximum current until the battery reaches a set voltage.
Absorption — Charges the battery to 100% using controlled voltage.
Battery Test — Checks whether the battery has accepted charge.
Float — Maintains the battery at full charge without overcharging.
Yes.
Once charging is complete, the AC040 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, the charger can be left connected to mains power so it can maintain the battery fully charged.
The Mode Button is used to toggle through the charger settings shown on the LCD screen.
Available AC040 settings include:
Battery voltage display
12V slow charging: 14.4V / 1.0A
12V fast charging: 14.4V / 4.0A
12V winter charging: 14.7V / 4.0A
6V charging mode
Winter Mode should be used when the battery temperature is close to 0°C, or below approximately 5°C.
Winter Mode increases the charging voltage to support charging in cold conditions.
Before using the AC040:
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 or non-rechargeable battery.
Turn off vehicle accessories before charging.
Disconnect the 240V mains supply before making or breaking battery connections.
Confirm the battery voltage before selecting 6V or 12V mode.
Most vehicles are negative earth.
Yes.
The AC040 can be hard wired using the supplied fused wiring harness.
For AC040, use a 7.5A fuse.
Connection:
Any modification to the 240V mains lead must be carried out by a qualified person.
During charging, the LCD screen shows:
Battery voltage
Battery gauge
Charge status
Full indication when charging is complete
RECON symbol if battery repair/recovery is active
When fully charged, the battery gauge will be fully highlighted and the word “FULL” will be displayed.
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.
Check the following:
Battery voltage is above the minimum start voltage.
Battery clamps are connected correctly.
Red clamp is connected to positive +.
Black clamp is connected to negative – or correct chassis earth.
The 240V mains outlet is switched ON.
The correct 6V or 12V mode has been selected.
The battery is not frozen, damaged or faulty.
The AC040 is designed to start charging from 2.0V. If the battery voltage is lower than 2.0V, the charger may not start.
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.
Check the battery charger clamps are correctly connected to the battery posts or battery terminals.
Also check:
Correct polarity
Clean battery terminals
Good clamp contact
Battery voltage is not too low
Battery is not faulty
The charger is attempting to repair or recover the battery.
This process may take longer than normal charging.
If the battery does not recover or later fails to hold charge, the battery should be tested.
No.
The AC040 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 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.
Possible causes:
No clamps connected
Short circuit
Reverse polarity connection
Check the clamps, polarity and battery connection.
Possible cause:
Loose clamps during charging
Check the clamps are secure and making good contact.
Possible cause:
Battery voltage is too high
Confirm the battery voltage and make sure the correct charger mode is selected.
Possible cause:
Bad battery
The battery may be faulty, sulphated or unable to accept charge. Test the battery before replacing the charger.
Part number: AC040
Input: 240VAC, 50Hz
Input power: 35.5W at 6V / 63.5W at 12V
Output voltage: 6V / 12V
Output current: 1A / 4A
Minimum start voltage: 2.0V
Back drain: 2mA
12V absorption voltage: 14.4V normal / 14.7V winter
6V absorption voltage: 7.2V
12V float voltage: 13.8V
Deep cycle range: 7–80Ah
Automotive range: 40–480CCA
Marine range: 55–650MCA
Size: 225 x 60 x 90mm
Weight: 0.66kg
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.
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.