Overheating charger
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 83
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From: Phoenix AZ
Overheating charger
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
Thanks
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Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
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
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
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Jun 20, 2014 at 02:02 PM.
