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04-12-2024, 05:20 PM
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#1 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Carlos MN
Posts: 1,975
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Let's talk battery chargers
So I have a Schmmacher's battery charger about 12-15 years old. It has setting for battery type and LED's for battery charge.
Some what recently as I charge my hot rod/boat/lawn mower batteries for spring summer the charger LED charge percentage won't go above 70%. Do battery chargers wear out over time? |
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04-12-2024, 11:12 PM
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#2 |
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Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Orem, Utah
Posts: 7,844
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Re: Let's talk battery chargers
I've never heard of a battery charger wearing out. My experience is that they work until they fail, usually completely.
__________________
I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson |
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04-13-2024, 09:26 AM
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#3 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Murray, Kentucky
Posts: 3,411
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Re: Let's talk battery chargers
You may have a bad diode, if one goes bad it only charges on the half cycle. Do you know how to test diodes? It being older it may have a rectifier plate with multiple diodes on each lead.
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Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd Last edited by raggedjim; 04-13-2024 at 09:34 AM. |
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04-13-2024, 10:04 AM
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#4 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Waterford California
Posts: 2,422
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Re: Let's talk battery chargers
I have an Optima my son gave me after mine went toast. Don't know if it's a Cadillac Volkswagen or anything in between, works well though. Goes to float after it's fully charged.
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04-13-2024, 01:27 PM
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#5 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Calais, Maine
Posts: 500
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Re: Let's talk battery chargers
I got a JEGs I’ve had it about 5 years, no problem. I just hate it’s Chi-Com.
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1963 Chevrolet C-10 "Ginger"  1970 C-30 Dump Truck "Scarlet" 2019 Chevy Silverado 2500 Z71 LTZ 1947 Indian Chief Roadmaster with Sidecar. 2012 Indian Chief Serial #002 of 110 built in '12 2016 Indian Chief Roadmaster |
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04-13-2024, 07:24 PM
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#6 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Wenatchee, Wa
Posts: 903
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Re: Let's talk battery chargers
If it charges okay run it!
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04-13-2024, 07:26 PM
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#7 |
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Philadelphia, Pa. 19454
Posts: 9,444
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Re: Let's talk battery chargers
I have the genius just have to check if its on lead acid or gel
Supposed to fix something in the batteries donknow  16960789081368092323836301603913 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/97391199@N06Don't trust them
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Semper Fi...Uncle Sam, you da man All parts offered to help are free, unless otherwise noted Dont try this stuff in my build thread, unless you have 55 years of mechanical OTJ training SAFETY FIRST AS usual, off topic They say your mind goes second, can't remember the first Jim |
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04-15-2024, 04:30 PM
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#8 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Dallas Texas
Posts: 2,995
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Re: Let's talk battery chargers
.
I had a Sears model charger for what felt like a 100 years...forever...until it failed by melting the positive lead and nearly lighting my car on fire. I now have a permanent melt line in the under hood plastics. Best I could tell is the thing just spazzed out. -klb
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67 C10 fleet fuel injected '70 402, 700r4, 3.73 posi 07 335 sport turbo 6sp 94 Trans Am GT LT1 6sp posi -- sold after 22yrs 99 540 sport V8 6sp -- sold 73 240z L24 4sp -- given to friend 68 C10 step 350/350 3.73 open -- sold |
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04-15-2024, 06:29 PM
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#9 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PNW
Posts: 3,545
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Re: Let's talk battery chargers
Quote:
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04-16-2024, 08:17 AM
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#10 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 2,509
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Re: Let's talk battery chargers
Older 'dumb' chargers normally either work fully or fail. The newer 'smart' ones probably can fail in interesting ways. For OP, possible the 100% LED failed and the battery really is fully charged. Might check the battery with a dumb volt meter and see what that indicates.
For those old legacy chargers, probably worth while to check the leads for damage. 50 year old wires might need replacing. Doesn't take much of a damaged spot to let the juice flow where it shouldn't. |
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04-16-2024, 08:50 PM
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#11 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Carlos MN
Posts: 1,975
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Re: Let's talk battery chargers
Funny you say "old" chargers. I still have my grand fathers charger. Has to be 60 years old. Haven't used it in years but it did work the last time I did.
The reason I bought the "new" charger I had a couple of hot rods with Optima batteries. I've gone away from the Optima's. Now just using standard lead acid batteries. |
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04-17-2024, 12:20 AM
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#12 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Waterford California
Posts: 2,422
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Re: Let's talk battery chargers
Just saw an add on FB for a Snap-On Smart battery charger and was priced at $60, supposedly does an analysis and de-sulfates if needed, which made me wonder if you would not be buying a cheap Chinese knock off?
I have never been able to afford anything Snap-on, even at yard sales they want 3 prices. |
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