(ET) e-14 heat from timer while charging

[Daniel Childress <daniel csuol com>]

 Have pursued my problem a little farther.  Checked out my batteries 
with a hydrometer and found that all were discharged.  "fuel gauge" 
shows full charge.  I disconnected the timer from the tractor. 
Leaving it connected to the  charger.  Plugged it in and turned it 
past start to letter c.  Checked the amperage going into and out of 
the timer.  18.3 amps.  The  power wire "black" comes out of the 
power cord and into  the timer.  From the timer it goes down into the 
charger.  The  connection at the timer seems to have  a  short.  Upon 
moving the  wires that attach to the  timer the  hum of the  charger 
quits.  Slight movement of the wires "at the wire spade connections 
on the timer" it  seems to turn back on.  Humming again.  The  timer 
is heating up, black wires are hot.  the insulation around the 
connection "spade" on  the timer is charred.  Also the ac plug that 
you plug in the charger to the  house current is charred.  Help 
please.
Dan Childress