Oops! Hooked up float charger backwards to 6V battery

Ed S.

Well-known Member
Location
Middle Tennessee
Went out to start the 8N tonight to position it ready to plow the predicted 6-8" of snow coming, and she was flat as a pancake. I wasn't paying attention when I pulled the float charger off, but I suspect I must have hooked it up backwards after the last time I ran the tractor. I wondered why it took so long to register a full charge (weeks).

The battery was showing -0.4volts... Don't know if I can bring it back or not, but I put the float charger back on the right way this time and will check it in the morning to see if the battery is taking a charge. I'm still 6volt positive ground...

I'm over 50 now. Does this count as a Senior Moment?

:p

es
 
Nope, no senior moment points. You are only a senior when the cashier at the supermarket says "thank-you sir". (there may be other markers) ;^)
 
Most float chargers just maintain charge or charge a
very little, you might have to put a real charger on
it to bring it back.
 
Only way you might and it is a slim chance to save that battery is to discharge it all the way and then some then slow charge it, but even then not a good chance. As for you age my son has marked the battery chargers so he can remember that red is + and black is - and he is in his 20s
 
(quoted from post at 21:37:50 02/25/13) Went out to start the 8N tonight to position it ready to plow the predicted 6-8" of snow coming, and she was flat as a pancake. I wasn't paying attention when I pulled the float charger off, but I suspect I must have hooked it up backwards after the last time I ran the tractor. I wondered why it took so long to register a full charge (weeks).

The battery was showing -0.4volts... Don't know if I can bring it back or not, but I put the float charger back on the right way this time and will check it in the morning to see if the battery is taking a charge. I'm still 6volt positive ground...

I'm over 50 now. Does this count as a Senior Moment?

:p

es
b:1478581b1c][i:1478581b1c]

ED;
NOT, a senior moment!!!! BUT, .....now I understand the statement on yer T-shirt!!!!! :lol: :lol:
P1010004.jpg


Gary :wink: [/i:1478581b1c][/b:1478581b1c]
 
Hey, I resemble that remark! (ouch!) I did get asked the other day if I was eligible for a senior discount... The (obviously older) man ahead of me said he was thankful they didn't ask him!

Just came in from morning chores and the battery now shows +0.46 volts (on the float charger). Will keep an eye on it - maybe it will come back.

es
 
[b:d6e6f9b850][i:d6e6f9b850]
Ed;
Not too sure about this, BUT, I think you may be better off, using a reg. battery charger, with 2amp. charge. Slow charge at 2Amps, would bring the batt, charge faster and keep the plates warmer....JMHO.
Even if it does charge up to full cap, being drawn down so low, may hinder the battery's 'cranking' Amps!!????

BTW...the old Exide battery that you saw on Hermie when you were here, is going on 7yrs in age, and STILL is perkin' like a NEW batt.
Who would'a thunk it????? :lol: :?:

Gary :shock: [/i:d6e6f9b850][/b:d6e6f9b850]
 
I might go swap chargers then, although my normal charger doesn't have the ability to set the charge rate - I was kind of afraid of over charging and blowing up the battery...

es
 
[b:771da4175b][i:771da4175b]
Don't think ya have to worry about blowing up the battery, if the batt. caps have vents, and your charger is not any more than 10 amps!!
If you are worried, just charge with the reg. charger, until it shows 3/4 charge,....then shift back to the trickle charger, to top off the charge.
Then watch yer amp guage, on the "N" to make sure the VR is shutting down at full charge. (Check the voltage at the batt.....key off!!)

Gary :) [/i:771da4175b][/b:771da4175b]
 
Ed, the float charger my be going flat as well. The dead battery may too much of a load. You may want to try a higher current (10 Amps) type charger for few minutes to get some volage back on the your plates. Just remeber safety first with eye protection and no sparking at the battery because of the hydrgen gas given off during charging. At my age I have senior hours.
 
The thing that bothers me is the guys in the Viagra commercials are younger than I am !!!
Over The Hill Joe
 
Dead battery may not be related to reversed float charger, at all. Many (most?) will do nothing if connected in reverse, no help, no harm.
 
(quoted from post at 12:37:50 02/26/13) Went out to start the 8N tonight to position it ready to plow the predicted 6-8" of snow coming, and she was flat as a pancake. I wasn't paying attention when I pulled the float charger off, but I suspect I must have hooked it up backwards after the last time I ran the tractor. I wondered why it took so long to register a full charge (weeks).

The battery was showing -0.4volts... Don't know if I can bring it back or not, but I put the float charger back on the right way this time and will check it in the morning to see if the battery is taking a charge. I'm still 6volt positive ground...

I'm over 50 now. Does this count as a Senior Moment?

:p

Where did you get a 6 volt float charger? all i see at harbor freight is 12 volt ones

es
 
Just came in from evening chores, and the battery is holding steady at +0.01 volts.

I suspect it's a goner.

I did try hooking up the 10 amp charger, but it throws the internal breaker after about 20 seconds until it cools and resets, after which the cycle repeats.

Looks like I'll be stopping by NAPA soon!

es
 
(quoted from post at 18:02:16 02/26/13) Just came in from evening chores, and the battery is holding steady at +0.01 volts.

I suspect it's a goner.

I did try hooking up the 10 amp charger, but it throws the internal breaker after about 20 seconds until it cools and resets, after which the cycle repeats.

Looks like I'll be stopping by NAPA soon!

es
b:4779887a7c][i:4779887a7c]
ED;
Sounds to me like yer "N" battery, has been taking lessons from yer Van....(You know?????)
Bet you thought I had forgotten about that!!!!

Sorry, could not resist!!!!!

Gary :) [/i:4779887a7c][/b:4779887a7c]
 
ED, there is one more thing you can try. With the 10 amp charger, connect a 6v bulb(sealed beam headlight will work) in series with the battery. That will limit your current yet still pass current thru your battery.
 

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