6 Amp Charger on SH

Va Gasman · Aug 24, 2012

I have put new 6V Battery in SH and am keeping it charged with small 6 amp charger from TSC.
I notice it starts charging at about 5 amps and next morning it is at about 1.5to 2amps. Should the needle go all the way to zero when fully charged?
System is not charging and I need to finish Fall hay before disassembling system to trouble shoot ground problems.

David G · Aug 24, 2012

It will probably not go to 0, is OK take it off then.

mkirsch · Aug 24, 2012

Is the charger a "smart" or "automatic" charger?

A smart/automatic charger will turn off the current when it senses that the battery is fully charged.

Basic "dumb" chargers will never go below 1.5 to 2 Amps. They will continue to charge at 1.5 to 2 Amps until you unplug them. If left connected to the battery for say, weeks, it will boil off the water and ruin the battery.

Overnight is not a problem.

John T · Aug 24, 2012

Without knowing the detailed design and specs of the charger one cant answer your question for sure!!!!

HOWEVER it my best educated and based on lifes experiences GUESS if working and subject to the battery condition NO IT LIKELY WONT GO DOWN TO ZERO

The fact that it starts out higher but then slows down charge rate after time when the battery has been charged to some extent is a decent indication its working and the battery is taking on charge

If you pay big bucks for a so called "Smart Charger" or "Three Stage Charger" etc. they are better designed to regulate the charge and adjust it according to the charge state of the battery

John T

gene bender · Aug 24, 2012

Get a battery hydrometer then you can tell if its charged and all cells are good they only cost a few bucks

Bob M · Aug 24, 2012

1 - 2 amps into a fully charged battery is completely normal for a low end TSC, etc. charger!

Reason: These chargers are the "constant voltage output" type. There is no internal logic to sense/shut off charging when the battery is fully charged.

For your purposes, when the charger's ammeter drops below 2 amps figure your battery is "full". Leaving the charger connected longer accomplishes nothing.

Janicholson · Aug 24, 2012

If you want to have it be more automatic. Put it on a timer for 1/2 hour per day. No issue. Jim

rankrank1 · Aug 24, 2012

In addition to the shortcomings/limitations posted by the other posters about some "automatic" chargers: I have a couple of chargers that are "automatic" on 12V but become "constant type" when used on the 6V setting - make sure to read that fine print in the chargers manual or on the faceplate.

6 Amp Charger on SH

Va Gasman

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David G

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mkirsch

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John T

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gene bender

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Bob M

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Janicholson

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rankrank1

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