Battery Charger Tech
 

PPOT Electrical Brain Trust: Our very nice fleet sized battery charger on wheels does not charge any more according to our mechanic. A simple check with a dc volt meter shows 15 volts. Could it be putting out some kind of (nominal?) voltage without any amps to back it up?

Obviously I know not of which I speak... Go easy on me!

don't some of them "sense" the required charging strength? like if there are no cells to charge, it goes to a lower setting? i think thats how the digitally controlled ones work. check by putting the meter inline, on a HIGH setting at first, on a dead or LOW battery.

your meter on a high setting i mean, to protect it. most handhelds are too small for this, unless its a (insert that famous meter name here)professional type.

My small protable charger does not take a charge anymore when I plug it in overnight. What could be the problem?

i know several guys who have cut open the case on those 12 volt portable units and wired in a 12 volt trickle charger.