Old automotive battery charger question
I have an approx. 40 year old 12/6 volt automotive battery charger. When set for 12 volts and not connected to a battery, it reads 12.81 volts. Set to 6 volts and not connected to a battery, it reads ...
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23hotrodr wrote:
Does this seem normal? Should the difference of charger output boltage be that much different when connect to a battery?
Thanks for any info you can provide. -- Mick
Short answer: YES.
First the circuit is a transformer and 1, 2 or 4 diodes
mostly a center tapped transformer and 2 diodes with a center tapped primary as well (The 6/12 switch selects full or half winding on the primary)
No regulation
and as you noticed over charging
Your voltage readings however indicate an RMS type meter so they are wrong.. a Peak Reading meter may show 15-16 volts on the 12 setting which is what you see as the battery charges.
I recommend a recycler for the charger and a new SMART charger.
Mine is a big brother of the Deltran Battery Minder and under that name. 2-4 amps minder, 20 charger 70 Jumper (never got that to work)
