Let's talk battery chargers
 

So I have a Schmmacher's battery charger about 12-15 years old. It has setting for battery type and LED's for battery charge.
Some what recently as I charge my hot rod/boat/lawn mower batteries for spring summer the charger LED charge percentage won't go above 70%.
Do battery chargers wear out over time?

Re: Let's talk battery chargers
 

I've never heard of a battery charger wearing out. My experience is that they work until they fail, usually completely.

Re: Let's talk battery chargers
 

You may have a bad diode, if one goes bad it only charges on the half cycle. Do you know how to test diodes? It being older it may have a rectifier plate with multiple diodes on each lead.

Re: Let's talk battery chargers
 

I have an Optima my son gave me after mine went toast. Don't know if it's a Cadillac Volkswagen or anything in between, works well though. Goes to float after it's fully charged.

Re: Let's talk battery chargers
 

I got a JEGs I’ve had it about 5 years, no problem. I just hate it’s Chi-Com.

Re: Let's talk battery chargers
 

If it charges okay run it!

Re: Let's talk battery chargers
 

I have the genius just have to check if its on lead acid or gel

Supposed to fix something in the batteries donknow

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...19f399d4_c.jpg16960789081368092323836301603913 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/97391199@N06

Don't trust them

Re: Let's talk battery chargers
 

.

I had a Sears model charger for what felt like a 100 years...forever...until it failed by melting the positive lead and nearly lighting my car on fire. I now have a permanent melt line in the under hood plastics.

Best I could tell is the thing just spazzed out.

-klb

Re: Let's talk battery chargers
 

Oh great. Mine's from Sears too. Probably only got it fifty years ago, lol. Might need to get a welding blanket to lay under the leads...

Re: Let's talk battery chargers
 

Older 'dumb' chargers normally either work fully or fail. The newer 'smart' ones probably can fail in interesting ways. For OP, possible the 100% LED failed and the battery really is fully charged. Might check the battery with a dumb volt meter and see what that indicates.

For those old legacy chargers, probably worth while to check the leads for damage. 50 year old wires might need replacing. Doesn't take much of a damaged spot to let the juice flow where it shouldn't.

Re: Let's talk battery chargers
 

Funny you say "old" chargers. I still have my grand fathers charger. Has to be 60 years old. Haven't used it in years but it did work the last time I did.
The reason I bought the "new" charger I had a couple of hot rods with Optima batteries. I've gone away from the Optima's. Now just using standard lead acid batteries.

Re: Let's talk battery chargers
 

Just saw an add on FB for a Snap-On Smart battery charger and was priced at $60, supposedly does an analysis and de-sulfates if needed, which made me wonder if you would not be buying a cheap Chinese knock off?
I have never been able to afford anything Snap-on, even at yard sales they want 3 prices.