Odd Failure

[Joe K]

Originally Posted by Russ/40

The final word on my starting issue. It was the battery. The battery was marginal on a load test, and being an Optima I could not do a specific gravity check. I put a charger on it overnight, then let it sit a day to dissipate the surface charge and redid a load test. I think the battery was one of the first Made in Mexico units. I'm going to a legacy type group one this time. I like the ability to do a hydrometer test.

There is a lot to be said for "old fashioned." Much easier to diagnose an issue with a hydrometer than have to rely on the "symptoms" as indicated by a testing machine.

I don't even like the new "foolproof" battery chargers - yunno, the one that doesn't work if the leads are inadvertently reversed? I've found that the computer on-board those chargers can be "fooled" as well, and the fooling can result in you buying a NEW battery.

Who'd a thunk it - a battery charger that sells batteries?

Sort of like don't buy your flashlights from a company that sells batteries?

Joe K

[burner31]

Glad you got it running.
I was going to suggest it needed another coin
I know it's not a Model A, but it's the closest I could come

[Humperhill]

Glad you figured it out and thanks for sharing as sooner or later many of us will face the same and gives us pointers on troubleshooting.

[Benson]

Originally Posted by Joe K

There is a lot to be said for "old fashioned." Much easier to diagnose an issue with a hydrometer than have to rely on the "symptoms" as indicated by a testing machine.

I don't even like the new "foolproof" battery chargers - yunno, the one that doesn't work if the leads are inadvertently reversed? I've found that the computer on-board those chargers can be "fooled" as well, and the fooling can result in you buying a NEW battery.

Who'd a thunk it - a battery charger that sells batteries?

Sort of like don't buy your flashlights from a company that sells batteries?

Joe K

SMART CHARGERS that have the feature outlined in red above will not start charging if

voltage is below 5.5 for 6 volt

or 10.5 for 12 volt batteries.

To get around this problem charge the battery for a short time with a "dumb charger" to a voltage above the minimum ... then continue with the smart charger.

At least that is how the Model 12106 and 12118 Battery Minders work.

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Originally Posted by Benson

SMART CHARGERS that have the feature outlined in red above will not start charging if

voltage is below 5.5 for 6 volt

or 10.5 for 12 volt batteries.

To get around this problem charge the battery for a short time with a "dumb charger" to a voltage above the minimum ... then continue with the smart charger.

At least that is how the Model 12106 and 12118 Battery Minders work.

Battery tenders/minders are not true chargers and are meant to "maintain" batteries. You get what you pay for, true chargers capable of bringing back batteries that have discharged require a true higher current charger, which cost more.


If you delve into the specs of the minders, quite a few of them have a max size battery that is recommended if they are used for charging purposes. Usually the max is a lawn mower battery, motor cycle battery, etc. Car/tractor batteries are more than the max spec.