B&D - Vector Battery Charger False F03 error codes.

[OnaQuest]

I have owned three Vector 1097A chargers over the last eight years and they have all developed the same.... failure? Trait? They give false F03 errors. One I returned under warranty, one I threw away and the last one I still have.

Is there something that I'm doing wrong (abusing or misusing) with these chargers. Is it coincidence, just bad luck or what?

I can charge my riding mower battery with my old HF 10amp charger and it will charge okay, but if I then attach the 1097A it will read the battery voltage okay, and I can initiate a charge cycle, but it will run for a couple of seconds, step the charge rate down to zero and display the F03. It does this with any battery (in any state of charge) that I try.

Can these beasts be repaired, or do I just throw it away?

[OnaQuest]

BFL13 wrote:
I get F03 sometimes when the charger thinks the battery is full or even if there is another charger with a higher voltage than the Vector on the battery. In that case, I must start the Vector first and get it running and then start the higher voltage charger.

Try knocking the battery voltage down a bit and then start the charger.

Like I said, I've tried various batteries, at various charge levels, and always get the same thing. I just now hooked it to a battery that reads 12.0vdc, it displayed the F03. It does know when it has been hooked to a battery, because it doesn't display the F02 that it does if started when not hooked to anything.

[KJINTF]

Please do not toss them in the trash

Yes they can very easily be repaired
Open it up and take a look close look at the large Capacitors
If any signs of anything abnormal replace the part
Parts available at DigiKey and typically less than $5.00

[BFL13]

I get F03 sometimes when the charger thinks the battery is full or even if there is another charger with a higher voltage than the Vector on the battery. In that case, I must start the Vector first and get it running and then start the higher voltage charger.

Try knocking the battery voltage down a bit and then start the charger.