Battery charger question

[Scout3918]

I bought a used battery charger. I attempted to charge my Durango battery that been sitting about 6 months. I put the timer on 2 hours. it sounded like it kicked on and was charging. couple hours went by and I went and checked the charger and the timer dial had not moved. I check the voltage on battery and it was only 3.5.

the next day I repeated for couple hours and same results. I think the volts was 3.2 this time. Timer never moved.

how do I check and see if charger actually working? any other suggestions?

I'll probably just buy another battery but I like to know if this charger any good or not also.

Picture is the charger I bought . I didn't have the settings on what I used to charge when I took this picture.

thanks for your help.

 

[FixItDan]

I bought a used battery charger. I attempted to charge my Durango battery that been sitting about 6 months. I put the timer on 2 hours. it sounded like it kicked on and was charging. couple hours went by and I went and checked the charger and the timer dial had not moved. I check the voltage on battery and it was only 3.5.

the next day I repeated for couple hours and same results. I think the volts was 3.2 this time. Timer never moved.

how do I check and see if charger actually working? any other suggestions?

I'll probably just buy another battery but I like to know if this charger any good or not also.

Picture is the charger I bought . I didn't have the settings on what I used to charge when I took this picture.

thanks for your help.

If you attach a voltmeter to the battery terminals and the charger you can see if there is a current flowing through. There is a good chance that the battery if finished, those things usually don't sit too well for six months.

 

[Lsversaw]

If the battery is starting out at 3-point-something volts, it may be unchargeable. But if the timer dial is not moving, then the timer is not working and it may not be turning the charger on. Is there just a manual "on" position of the switch? If so you can use that position to effectively bypass the timer and eliminate it as a cause.

 

[sberry]

Make a spark when its on and connecting it to the battery?

 

[Scout3918]

Make a spark when its on and connecting it to the battery?

No it didn't make any sparks. I was wondering about that too.

 

[Scout3918]

If the battery is starting out at 3-point-something volts, it may be unchargeable. But if the timer dial is not moving, then the timer is not working and it may not be turning the charger on. Is there just a manual "on" position of the switch? If so you can use that position to effectively bypass the timer and eliminate it as a cause.

No movement on timer dial. No separate on/off switch either. just a off position on the timer.

 

[Scout3918]

If you attach a voltmeter to the battery terminals and the charger you can see if there is a current flowing through. There is a good chance that the battery if finished, those things usually don't sit too well for six months.

I tried that and no different reading. I even tried (not sure if right way) putting on charger clamps with charger on and see if got a reading on anything. I didn't.

I'm definitely gonna buy new battery.. The guy I bought charger from said he give money back, so I not out anything but would liked to have it working. I guess, I just buy a new one. The brand I go got a good reputation, so I was hoping I save few bucks.

 

[Scout3918]

ALL: thanks for the help and replies.

 

[tre873]

If the charger has a sensing circuit and the battery is sulfated, it most likely won't charge. Try connecting the battery charger to a known good battery and then check the voltage while the charger is on.

 

[Dragfluid]

If the charger has a sensing circuit and the battery is sulfated, it most likely won't charge. Try connecting the battery charger to a known good battery and then check the voltage while the charger is on.

This. Or if it's open circuit.
That's why if you connect a volt meter to just the charger without a battery, you won't get any reading out of it.

 

[Shiftless]

This. Or if it's open circuit.
That's why if you connect a volt meter to just the charger without a battery, you won't get any reading out of it.

to that!

Voltage potential is different than current flow

 

[HOTFR8]

If the charger has a sensing circuit and the battery is sulfated, it most likely won't charge. Try connecting the battery charger to a known good battery and then check the voltage while the charger is on.

Further to the above post. Try connecting another battery so it will try to charge both and then test again with a volt meter. If the old battery starts to charge OK then take the good battery out of the system and charge and if not the older battery has had it.

They do not like to sit for long periods of time and if they do a concrete floor is not the best place to sit them.

 

[Shiftless]

Further to the above post. Try connecting another battery so it will try to charge both and then test again with a volt meter. If the old battery starts to charge OK then take the good battery out of the system and charge and if not the older battery has had it.

They do not like to sit for long periods of time and if they do a concrete floor is not the best place to sit them.

.............................

Good idea with the second battery. Make sure to wire them in PARALLEL
But the caution about concrete floors is unnecessary. Here is a quote from the Interstate battery company...

"The myth that concrete drains batteries has some historical basis. Many, many years ago, wooden battery cases encased a glass jar with the battery inside. Any moisture on the floor could cause the wood to swell and possibly fracture the glass, causing it to leak. Later came the introduction of the hard rubber battery cases, which were somewhat porous and had a high-carbon content. An electrical current could be conducted through this container if the moist concrete floor permitted the current to find an electrical ground. The wise advice of the old days to "keep batteries off concrete" has been passed down to us today, but it no longer applies because of the advanced technology of today's batteries."

 

[HOTFR8]

.............................

Good idea with the second battery. Make sure to wire them in PARALLEL
But the caution about concrete floors is unnecessary. Here is a quote from the Interstate battery company...

"The myth that concrete drains batteries has some historical basis. Many, many years ago, wooden battery cases encased a glass jar with the battery inside. Any moisture on the floor could cause the wood to swell and possibly fracture the glass, causing it to leak. Later came the introduction of the hard rubber battery cases, which were somewhat porous and had a high-carbon content. An electrical current could be conducted through this container if the moist concrete floor permitted the current to find an electrical ground. The wise advice of the old days to "keep batteries off concrete" has been passed down to us today, but it no longer applies because of the advanced technology of today's batteries."

Thank you for pointing out you should charge them parallel.

In the USA you may heat you Garage floors and in Australia that is not the case so you will find a cold concrete floor does not help a battery. Sitting them off the floor on a piece of timber or in a battery box is a wise thing here.

 

[Scout3918]

thanks all for the info and help. I will try the 2nd battery tonight. I am going to buy another battery anyway, but am curious to see if charger working before I buy a new one.

I love this site, so much helpful info especially for a guy like me that not real mechanical etc. I have learned a lot on things and just knowing lot of helpful people here makes me more willing try to fix and work on things.

Thanks again

 

[Scout3918]

to that!

Voltage potential is different than current flow

makes lot of sense. thanks. I definitely learning a few things.

 

[HOTFR8]

thanks all for the info and help. I will try the 2nd battery tonight. I am going to buy another battery anyway, but am curious to see if charger working before I buy a new one.

I love this site, so much helpful info especially for a guy like me that not real mechanical etc. I have learned a lot on things and just knowing lot of helpful people here makes me more willing try to fix and work on things.

Thanks again

Make sure you post if you get the old battery up and running as many of us would like to know the results.

 

[Dragfluid]

There's another reason for not letting a battery sit on concrete. If there's any leakage, it will attack the concrete. BTDT.

 

[Scout3918]

HOTFR8: Make sure you post if you get the old battery up and running as many of us would like to know the results.


will do.

 

[Scout3918]

There's another reason for not letting a battery sit on concrete. If there's any leakage, it will attack the concrete. BTDT.

this makes sense too. I have always heard about the not putting on concrete too, but like others stated I have read new batteries it don't matter.

But I have a small wood table I usually set batteries on anyway since it waist high and easier to hook up etc. Hopefully if it does leak it don't spill over on my new floor. I will be trading this in one this weekend.

 

[Fastfish]

All good advice above. Here is mine. When the charger is connected and turned on (any amount of time on the timmer)the gauge (ammeter) should show something which is the charge rate in current. No meter movement=no charging. You should wiggle the clamps to make sure you are getting a good connection and see if the needle on the gauge moves. As mentioned a sulfonated battery or one with some shorted cells will not take a charge (meaning accept any inflowing current)

 

[peter2772000]

FWIW, I've revived more than one battery that refused to be charged by using a Battery Minder 2012. Freakin' thing is amazing. Takes an otherwise dead-weight and resurrects it.

Jez sayin'...

 

[Scout3918]

Make sure you post if you get the old battery up and running as many of us would like to know the results.

couldn't get old battery back charged up. I am trading the core in today and picking up new battery.

thanks everyone for your help. I def learned a few things.

 

[HOTFR8]

Sounds like it was past the use by date.