Has my trickle charger developed a mind of its own?

[TCTVR]

Appreciate some guidance from those who know

How do i check my trickle charger is actually being intelligent and working properly i.e. providing the correct voltage, the right amperage, making the right self adjustments over time, switching off when battery is charged etc etc

Maybe just coincidental, but 3 failed batteries after charging seems to be pointing a finger

TIA

[richard sails]

One very quick check, is the battery getting hot while on charge?

If it is getting hot then you have a problem with the charger, slightly warm during charging is ok, more than that is bad.

[eliot]

Check the voltage of the charger - lead acid float voltage is 13.8v - it can be left permanently connected at that voltage.
Some chargers (like my ring charger) will disconnect and periodically bring it back up again.
AGM batteries have a slightly lower float voltage- around 13.5v
You shouldn’t charge any battery any higher than 1/4 of the amp hour rating - so a 50ah battery must be charged at 12A or less.

This Aneng an8008 digital meter is very accurate and cheap enough to keep in the car or toolbox.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B073VHLMT4/ref=mp...

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/AN8008-9999-Digital-Multi...

Cheaper if you are prepared to wait for china shipping

In terms of charging current - you cant really ‘force’ current into a battery. It’s just a function of the charging voltage. If the battery is flat (less than 10.5v) you need to charge low and slow - smart chargers will deal with that - dumb old school chargers wont do constant current- which will knackerer a flat battery. As noted above, it shouldn’t be getting warm during charging - if it is you have a shorted cell or are trying to charge at a too high voltage (for a non constant current charger)

Edited by eliot on Wednesday 21st March 06:26

[cptsideways]

Is it a Maypole smart charger by any chance? I binned one recently, the voltage on its gauge was out, it was doing all sorts of weird stuff.

[TCTVR]

cptsideways said:

Is it a Maypole smart charger by any chance? I binned one recently, the voltage on its gauge was out, it was doing all sorts of weird stuff.

The culprit is a CTEK and having done a good decade of work I really cannot complain.

Thanks everyone for the guidance, I'll run the suggested tests.

TC

[black_potato]

I had an Optimate for ~10 years that stopped switching from charge mode to maintain mode. I spoke with the company and they said that is not unknown and that the only affordable option was to replace the unit as they would not recommend it was left attached for long periods.

[eliot]

black_potato said:

I had an Optimate for ~10 years that stopped switching from charge mode to maintain mode. I spoke with the company and they said that is not unknown and that the only affordable option was to replace the unit as they would not recommend it was left attached for long periods.

which is around 14.6v, which would indeed damage it if left like that for a long time.
Bulk charging at 14.6v runs until the current draw drops to 500ma, then it should drop to 13.8v float charge.