SOLVED which home car battery charger?

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Jase2985

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#2549060 24-Aug-2020 20:43

if you have a multi meter start the car and measure across the battery terminals and check the voltage. should be 13.5v+ to charge the battery, if its not then the alternator isnt working. There are more complex methods that a auto sparky will be able to do but the crude way will give you an indication

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#2549096 24-Aug-2020 21:33

gbwelly:

Batman:

Van is regularly used but battery not charging

Ah I see, probably any of them will do the job until you can get the alternator working properly again. I still think you'd be running the gauntlet even starting the day on a fully charged battery, good luck!

This. If the battery is not charging at all (alternator failed), the van will run fine, drawing down the battery, until the voltage drops below the limit where systems stop working. Everything from lights to (assuming a modern vehicle) the engine itself. Could be inconvenient.

Batman

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#2549111 24-Aug-2020 22:12

Jase2985:

if you have a multi meter start the car and measure across the battery terminals and check the voltage. should be 13.5v+ to charge the battery, if its not then the alternator isnt working. There are more complex methods that a auto sparky will be able to do but the crude way will give you an indication

the AA guy said it shows 12.4 and the alternator is not working as it should

there is also a whine that goes up and down with the engine revs - google says it's the alternator whining

would that be right?

anyway, will call the auto sparky tomorrow.

MikeAqua

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#2549210 25-Aug-2020 08:08

C-tek chargers are very good. I have a couple for the boat, to keep the batteries topped up between trips. The quick connect is fantastic.

Mike

kotuku4

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#2549962 26-Aug-2020 12:17

I'd expect 13.8-14.2 volts for full charge from alternator.

Could be alternator, diodes, voltage rectifier, belt - pulleys. Can't beat a good alternator.

If van is parked outside then a modest solar panel can be used to keep battery topped up. 12v 10 watt or 20 watt, stay away from really cheap trickle charge or less that 5 watt.

Delphinus

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#2550333 26-Aug-2020 21:06

CTEK MXS5.0 Special $139 is now live on Repco:

https://www.repco.co.nz/en/globes-batteries-electrical/battery-chargers-power-accessories/battery-chargers/ctek-battery-charger-with-bonus-power-bank-and-accessories-40-358/p/A6115831

Technofreak

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#2550394 26-Aug-2020 22:38

Batman:

the AA guy said it shows 12.4 and the alternator is not working as it should

there is also a whine that goes up and down with the engine revs - google says it's the alternator whining

would that be right?

anyway, will call the auto sparky tomorrow.

12.4 volts is on the low side for when the engine is running.

Yep, the whine could be the alternator. Are you hearing the whine on your radio or is it from the engine bay?.

Whine on the radio is almost definitely the alternator, but that doesn't necessarily mean the alternator is faulty. A lot of the older Toyotas used to have alternator whine on the radio, the noise suppressor wasn't doing it's job. The whine may also be due to faulty diodes etc.

Other whining noises could be bearing noise from the alternator or other items driven by the accessory/alternator belt. It could even be the belt it self as it moves/flexes over the pulleys.

No matter source of the whine, from what you say of the measured voltage, your alternator or charging system needs attention. Alternators aren't usually very expensive though more expensive for diesel engines due the vacuum pump that is usually attached to these alternators.

Some alternators can be quite cheaply overhauled with new diodes brushes and bearings and may even be available as an exchange unit where you take in you old alternator and pay for a second hand refurbished item at a much cheaper price than a brand new one. This can be a very good option, as it saves having to wait for your alternator to be repaired, though today with the cheap Chinese replacement parts the exchange units may not be as economical as they once were.

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richms

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#2550396 26-Aug-2020 22:55

Whine is also a ground loop thing that can be from either a crap radio that has it inherent inside it, or else from something else having a bad ground. I have a cheap junk fusion in my ute that has an inbuilt ground loop if the antenna is plugged in, so I just unplugged it since no good comes from a car antenna.

Richard rich.ms

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#2550446 27-Aug-2020 08:22

Delphinus:

CTEK MXS5.0 Special $139 is now live on Repco:

https://www.repco.co.nz/en/globes-batteries-electrical/battery-chargers-power-accessories/battery-chargers/ctek-battery-charger-with-bonus-power-bank-and-accessories-40-358/p/A6115831

Thanks for that!

PS there is a chart somewhere and my van battery needs a 5 or 6 amp charger so a 16 amp charger is too much ... so this one as you guys have said is perfect for a car.

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#2550449 27-Aug-2020 08:24

a quick update

Thanks took it to the auto sparky on Tuesday, they diagnosed faulty alternator, got the parts, and replaced the alternator yesterday and the whine is gone and the car is good. For now! (It's a 2007 vehicle so it's not brand new)

thanks everyone!

CASE CLOSED - another GZ success story!

dt

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#2558118 6-Sep-2020 21:46

Caught this thread a couple of weeks ago, my boy wanted to take his motorbike out for a ride on Saturday but what do ya know.. the battery had run flat.. looked up this thread again and went out and bought the ctek mxs5.0 value pack from my local repco, set it up Saturday arvo and he was able to take it out for a blat Sunday morning.. the quick disconnect terminals are an amazing feature of this product, have a pair permanently on his motorbike now 👍

1024kb

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#2572906 23-Sep-2020 16:00

I took the advice of the overwhelming majority of recommendations in this thread too. With too many vehicles to sensibly justify, there's always at least one with a flat battery. Bought a Ctek 10A charger to solve that problem.

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