So, My Float Charger Didn't Work...
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
So, My Float Charger Didn't Work...
The 69 has been in the back of the garage since November, up on the lift. Kept it on a 12V "float" charger. Got it down yesterday.
Went to start it today...battery is as dead as a doornail.
Pulled the caps....NO WATER.
Hmmm. Put water in the reproduction (expensive) battery. Put it on my big charger. The 69 fired up.
Drove it around the block...back to the driveway, shut it off. DEAD again.
Put it on the big charger for 1 1/2 hours on HIGH....battery was hot as a firecracker. Started up....drove around the block...DEAD again.
The battery is actually still too hot to take out. Going to buy a Delco Freedom tomorrow.
Float chargers are supposed to keep the battery charged...and then shut off when it is charged..... and turn on again to keep it up. This charger obviously wasn't working properly, as it cooked all the juice out of the battery. I use float chargers on the other cars, and have never had a problem. Chuck
Went to start it today...battery is as dead as a doornail.
Pulled the caps....NO WATER.
Hmmm. Put water in the reproduction (expensive) battery. Put it on my big charger. The 69 fired up.
Drove it around the block...back to the driveway, shut it off. DEAD again.
Put it on the big charger for 1 1/2 hours on HIGH....battery was hot as a firecracker. Started up....drove around the block...DEAD again.
The battery is actually still too hot to take out. Going to buy a Delco Freedom tomorrow.
Float chargers are supposed to keep the battery charged...and then shut off when it is charged..... and turn on again to keep it up. This charger obviously wasn't working properly, as it cooked all the juice out of the battery. I use float chargers on the other cars, and have never had a problem. Chuck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Oh
I've not used one for an automobile but have used an automatic battery charger for my bass boat trolling motor batteries for years without issues. Over the winter, I just plug in the charger and forget it. Perhaps the problem with yours is the make/model.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,725
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From: Minnesota
I try to start my old cars once in a while on the warmer days over the winter and never had a problem. And it gets mighty cold here at times. If I had a slow drain like a clock (mine doesn't work
) I'd probably put in a battery quick disconnect. Leaving something plugged in all the time and unattended doesn't seem like a good idea either. :o
) I'd probably put in a battery quick disconnect. Leaving something plugged in all the time and unattended doesn't seem like a good idea either. :o
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Originally Posted by LittleJake
Ive never had any luck with those things. The float charger is the same as a trickle charger or tender charger isnt it?
This float charger obviously failed. A trickle charger constantly puts 4-6 amps to the battery. Over time, the constant charging boils/cooks off the battery acid.
A float charger is SUPPOSED to charge the battery to 12 volts, then shut off. THEN, when the battery discharges, the float charger kicks back in and recharges to 12 volts again.
It continuously maintains 12 volts, but does NOT charge constantly like a trickle charger.
I've used them for years without any problems. This one obviously failed. I use a 6 volt float charger on the 54, and another 12 volt on the 63. Used to use on on the 2000 till I sold it. Chuck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
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From: Newark DE
sorry for your problems Chuck 
well, at least you can save a FEW dollars and just use the changer from the '00 car and now use it on the '69!
Pat must have been upset when her car wouldn't start.
Hey, the '54 was on the borrom of the lift so to get the '69 down you had to move the '54 first. How's that running? That's been sitting there since Nov also hasn't it?
Did you take her out for a drive or just move her out of the way?
well, at least you can save a FEW dollars and just use the changer from the '00 car and now use it on the '69!
Pat must have been upset when her car wouldn't start.
Hey, the '54 was on the borrom of the lift so to get the '69 down you had to move the '54 first. How's that running? That's been sitting there since Nov also hasn't it?
Did you take her out for a drive or just move her out of the way?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,891
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From: North Port Fl
I've never had a problem with float chargers, I've got 4 of them, one on my 04 C5, one on my 78 C3, one on my lawn tractor, and one on a 12 v battery I keep on my work bench, the one on my C5 is a Battery Tender I paid $54 for it, the other 3 are from Harbor Freight, and I paid about $8, they all work great, the only difference between the expensive one and the cheapies is the expensive one comes with a permenant harness that you can just unplug the others you have to clip the wires to the battery terminals
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
The 54 fired right up. I've been driving it a bit since I have it for sale. Took it out for a 20 mile spin last Sunday with a potential buyer. That's the most it's been driven in years.
I'm going to try to shake down the 69 today to see if I can take it to the event on Sunday at York County CC. I wanted to take it to a car cruise last night, but the battery problem messed up my plans.
I'll miss the NASCAR race at Talledega on Sunday, but I hate restrictor plate racing anyway, so I really don't care.
The battery in the 69 is a repro, but it's 6-7 years old. I've had relatively BAD luck with repro batteries too, but 6-7 years isn't bad, so I can't complain. So, I'm off this AM to buy a Delco Freedom battery.
The 69 is absolutely filthy. Need a good cleaning too. Chuck
I'm going to try to shake down the 69 today to see if I can take it to the event on Sunday at York County CC. I wanted to take it to a car cruise last night, but the battery problem messed up my plans.
I'll miss the NASCAR race at Talledega on Sunday, but I hate restrictor plate racing anyway, so I really don't care.
The battery in the 69 is a repro, but it's 6-7 years old. I've had relatively BAD luck with repro batteries too, but 6-7 years isn't bad, so I can't complain. So, I'm off this AM to buy a Delco Freedom battery.
The 69 is absolutely filthy. Need a good cleaning too. Chuck
Thread Starter
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From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Nah, Barry, it's dirty. I can write my name in the dust all over the car. The inside is full of junk too.
Was up at Kunkel's at 8AM, bought a new Delco Freedom, installed it, and it starts just fine.
Still too early to cut the grass. We have an "unwritten" rule in my neighborhood that NOBODY fires up a mower on a weekend before 10AM.
I'll back out the 69 and start cleaning it. I absolutely HATE NCCC dirt hunt shows. I once got a deduct on my 54 for a mouse turd on my carpet.
I never do well at NCCC shows, and honestly don't care, and haven't cared for decades. I'll often go to support my NCCC club, and do "display only".
I enjoy talking with the people, looking at cars, etc. I don't enjoy picking rocks out of my tire treads, and looking for dirt under my gas lid door.
I'm driving directly to the dealership, BTW, and won't see you in Delaware. Chuck
Was up at Kunkel's at 8AM, bought a new Delco Freedom, installed it, and it starts just fine.
Still too early to cut the grass. We have an "unwritten" rule in my neighborhood that NOBODY fires up a mower on a weekend before 10AM.
I'll back out the 69 and start cleaning it. I absolutely HATE NCCC dirt hunt shows. I once got a deduct on my 54 for a mouse turd on my carpet.
I never do well at NCCC shows, and honestly don't care, and haven't cared for decades. I'll often go to support my NCCC club, and do "display only".
I enjoy talking with the people, looking at cars, etc. I don't enjoy picking rocks out of my tire treads, and looking for dirt under my gas lid door.
I'm driving directly to the dealership, BTW, and won't see you in Delaware. Chuck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Newark DE
Chuck, I know what you mean about the dust on the car.
The '65 was the same way until 15 minutes ago. I just washed her down and pulled her back in the garage. Now I need to wax her, do the wheels/tires, glass, chrome, trim moldings, all of the interior, and wipe down the engine bay.....
Besides my working on her earlier in the fall & winter she's been sitting uncovered all winter in the garage. Once I got done working onn her in Feb she was dusty by than so I didn't want to put the cover on and risk rubbing the dust into the paint causing scratches.
Not sure why i'm bothering though since by the time I drive her there tomorrow she will be all full of dust again.........
Yes, I figured you were meeting us there and not in De.
Did you get the directions from Linda?
Afterward the show than the tour we are doing dinner right in Carlisle so you are welcome to join us before we all head home.
The '65 was the same way until 15 minutes ago. I just washed her down and pulled her back in the garage. Now I need to wax her, do the wheels/tires, glass, chrome, trim moldings, all of the interior, and wipe down the engine bay.....
Besides my working on her earlier in the fall & winter she's been sitting uncovered all winter in the garage. Once I got done working onn her in Feb she was dusty by than so I didn't want to put the cover on and risk rubbing the dust into the paint causing scratches.
Not sure why i'm bothering though since by the time I drive her there tomorrow she will be all full of dust again.........
Yes, I figured you were meeting us there and not in De.
Did you get the directions from Linda?
Afterward the show than the tour we are doing dinner right in Carlisle so you are welcome to join us before we all head home.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Originally Posted by BarryK
Chuck, I know what you mean about the dust on the car.
The '65 was the same way until 15 minutes ago. I just washed her down and pulled her back in the garage. Now I need to wax her, do the wheels/tires, glass, chrome, trim moldings, all of the interior, and wipe down the engine bay.....
Besides my working on her earlier in the fall & winter she's been sitting uncovered all winter in the garage. Once I got done working onn her in Feb she was dusty by than so I didn't want to put the cover on and risk rubbing the dust into the paint causing scratches.
Not sure why i'm bothering though since by the time I drive her there tomorrow she will be all full of dust again.........
Yes, I figured you were meeting us there and not in De.
Did you get the directions from Linda?
Afterward the show than the tour we are doing dinner right in Carlisle so you are welcome to join us before we all head home.
The '65 was the same way until 15 minutes ago. I just washed her down and pulled her back in the garage. Now I need to wax her, do the wheels/tires, glass, chrome, trim moldings, all of the interior, and wipe down the engine bay.....
Besides my working on her earlier in the fall & winter she's been sitting uncovered all winter in the garage. Once I got done working onn her in Feb she was dusty by than so I didn't want to put the cover on and risk rubbing the dust into the paint causing scratches.
Not sure why i'm bothering though since by the time I drive her there tomorrow she will be all full of dust again.........
Yes, I figured you were meeting us there and not in De.
Did you get the directions from Linda?
Afterward the show than the tour we are doing dinner right in Carlisle so you are welcome to join us before we all head home.
Got done with MOST of the grass. Still have to edge and trim. Went out on a search for 93 octane. Both of my local stations were OUT of it, REGULAR only. Had to drive about 5 miles to the Sunoco.
Not sure about dinner yet. Depends on what Mrs. Chuck has planned. Chuck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
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From: Newark DE
Nah, just tell Pat we kidnapped you and woudn't let you leave until AFTER dinner!
BTW, Thornton has TWO locations, make sure you go to their USED car lot location.
If I remember when I load up the car for tomorrow I'll throw your tilter in there to give it back to you.
BTW, Thornton has TWO locations, make sure you go to their USED car lot location.
If I remember when I load up the car for tomorrow I'll throw your tilter in there to give it back to you.
Thread Starter
Race Director
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From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Dinner at the "famous" Carlisle Diner, huh? The food is actually VERY good there. I'm also partial to Hoss's.
The 69 is as clean as it's going to get. I'll be up at the dealership at about 9:30 or so. Chuck
The food is actually VERY good there. I'm also partial to Hoss's.The 69 is as clean as it's going to get. I'll be up at the dealership at about 9:30 or so. Chuck
Race Director
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is there any black residue around the filler caps? If there is, the battery boiled from internal shortage (plates touching) if not it probably was your charger
Last edited by Twin_Turbo; Apr 29, 2006 at 06:12 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
is there any black residue around the filler caps? If there is, the battery boiled from itnernal shortage (plates touching) if not it probably was your charger
I use one on the 63 and the 54. USED one on the 2000 before I sold it last week. Have used them for years without trouble.
Put my new DELCO Freedom in this AM. Works fine. I'm out of the judging "thing" with this car for awhile, so I'm not interested in another repro battery at this time.
Chuck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Newark DE
Originally Posted by Chuck Gongloff
Dinner at the "famous" Carlisle Diner, huh? The food is actually VERY good there. I'm also partial to Hoss's.
The 69 is as clean as it's going to get. I'll be up at the dealership at about 9:30 or so. Chuck
The food is actually VERY good there. I'm also partial to Hoss's.The 69 is as clean as it's going to get. I'll be up at the dealership at about 9:30 or so. Chuck
I've never been there so I'm glad to hear the food is good.
both Linda and I are originally from and grew up in NJ so we are both always glad to go to a good Diner.
We should all cruise into the show sometime around 9;45 or so if our timing works out well so we will see you in the morning!
Have a safe trip up.