Re: (ET) Dan's 2/10A charger

[David C Robie <mycroftxx1 juno com>]

Mechanical charger:  The 'air conditioner' chargers sold in hardware
stores and departments for less than ten bucks will handle any battery
charger we are apt to use - including a GE tractor charger - but it must
be remembered tht the timer repeats it's set 'on' time every 24 hours. 
Either unplug it after it's cycle is done or open it up and break the
little thingus that makes it turn on - so only you and not it can turn it
on.

Dave
Weymouth MA


On Wed, 01 Nov 2006 07:46:47 -0600 tbamc <tbamc gbta net> writes:
> Dan,
> 
> In spite of you hijacking my thread  :-), I'll give you my opinion.
> 
> Since both undercharging, and overcharging are bad for batteries, I 
> would not leave a battery charging on 10A overnight.  The chart on 
> my 
> large wheeled charger, shows a totally dead battery being charged, 
> at 
> 10A, in 2.5 hours.  You should be able to check the battery voltage 
> before you start, with your (digital) meter, and then again after a 
> few 
> hours charging, then a few hours 'resting' off charger, to get a 
> feel 
> for how long you need to charge.  After that, a mechanical timer 
> would 
> get you close, if you can't be around to shut it off.
> 
> When your battery is low you can certainly hook your charger to the 
> battery, and check the VOLTAGE across the terminals.  That will tell 
> you 
> the 2A setting is putting out adequate voltage.  Checking the Amps 
> is 
> tougher.
> 
> I suspect your car battery is old and not holding it's charge well.  
> 
> Once it's charged up, and your meter reads full charge, let it sit, 
> and 
> check it a week, 2 weeks, etc. later.  Shouldn't change much if it's 
> a 
> good battery.  Or take the battery to Autozone, etc. and let them 
> test 
> it for you for free.  :-)
> 
> HTH
> 
> Thon
> 
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