LarryN7C5

For the past 5 years, I have used a Battery Tender Plus on a RedTop Optima when the car sits for a week or two. Recently when I unhook the charger, the charger is very very hot. Is this the charger or the redtop dying?
Thanks

Bill Curlee

Ide say the red top is history and drawing too much current BUT,,,,

Install an AMP Meter between the battery NEG terminal and the charger Neg terminal and see what the current draw is. If its a 2 amp charger and the battery is pullin max amps all the time, yes the charger will get hot and the battery is bad.

If its a 2 amp charger and the battery is pulling 5 amps and the charger is providing 5 amps,,, charger is bad.

Also see if the charger is putting out any AC voltage. You should see NO reading on the lowest AC scale. If you see AC Volts,, the charger diode / rectifer is BAD.

Bill

LarryN7C5

Thanks, Bill.
It looks like the RedTop.

3boystoys

What's the voltage showing on the DIC when it's running? My redtop is much older and I keep it on the tender all the time. I have had to open my tender just to fix the status LED.