Battery charger diagnosis
I found nothing on web or in archives sooo. My 2002 Sears $70 charger has me thinking it is not working properly anymore. After attaching cable to positive post when the negative cable is touched to negative terminal I get a spark. Heavy spark that sounds like a welder not a small light flash. Does a charger when it gets worn out cause a direct short connection condition to the battery? Is it time for a new one?
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Re: Battery charger diagnosis
Paul is the main power switch off when connected? What is the Amp rating of the charger? Does it have a variable current control?
How old is the battery and is it totally discharged? If so it could be using the full current capability of the charger.
But be very careful as any sparks near a battery can cause explosive reactions. Best to make any connections remotely to reduce the chances of sparks at the battery posts, i.e. use jumper cables isolated from the battery and connect the charger to them far from the battery.
If the charger itself has shorted outputs it would self destruct when AC power is applied before being connected to a battery.
Rich -
Re: Battery charger diagnosis
I had a horrible experience with of one my old battery charges the day before I left for Corvette Carlisle as a vendor.
I was charging a spare battery I keep in the trailer. In my haste of rushing around I tripped on the charging cords hanging down from a workbench.
Smoked pouring up and my old charger was toast.
TIP: I have/had three chargers. All put out different volts.
For my restoration I use an AC/DC converter to dial in the voltage for testing. John D.Comment
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Re: Battery charger diagnosis
I always hook clamps to battery before plugging in as directions state. It sparks with no ac to charger. It has 2A, 16A, 100A start and has been a very good charger. I have tried connecting to semi and good charge and get spark. Dead battery I get no spark but do get red light flashing to indicate problem. Looks like it is time for a new one. Thanks for feedback.Comment
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Re: Battery charger diagnosis
Paul, Yes then it seems it's likely shorted internally. Probably the output diodes.
I had repaired one for a friend a while ago. I forget the maker but I was able to replace the diode bank with some hefty ones I got many years ago at a military surplus place(in Lynn Ma back in the 70's).
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I had about a dozen. IIRC they're rated at near 150 amps. I used 2 for a old Goodyear Charger I had with burned out selenium rectifiers(old paper plates). I could start cars with it.
RichComment
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