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Help fixing my battery charger?
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busmania
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 23, 2016 8:20 am    Post subject: Help fixing my battery charger? Reply with quote

I know this is random but several years ago, I drove my bus out of the garage with my battery charger still attached. The clamps on both sides came off and I have been putting off fixing it. Now I need to use it. BUT, the problem is, I don't know which wire had the red lead and which had the black. Does it matter which side I put each clamp (one red, one black) back on?

Thanks.
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60ragtop
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 23, 2016 8:23 am    Post subject: Re: Help fixing my battery charger? Reply with quote

if you just pulled the clamps off the wire, turn it on and hook up a voltage meter, that will tell you what is the + side and negative
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busdaddy
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 23, 2016 9:44 am    Post subject: Re: Help fixing my battery charger? Reply with quote

Also try looking very closely at the wires, one may have squared edges or tiny ribs on the insulation.
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Cusser
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 23, 2016 12:27 pm    Post subject: Re: Help fixing my battery charger? Reply with quote

60ragtop wrote:
if you just pulled the clamps off the wire, turn it on and hook up a voltage meter, that will tell you what is the + side and negative



This. DC voltmeter 0-20 volts will tell you what you want to need. Even the free ones from Harbor Freight, with coupon and a purchase.
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hitest
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 23, 2016 6:30 pm    Post subject: Re: Help fixing my battery charger? Reply with quote

With your charger on it's lowest output (2amp) setting, grab an accessory 12volt fan or an old 12v Makita drill without the battery and hotwire the leads. If the fan or drill spins the right way- you've got red and black right. Cool

Please note I am purely guessing here- but I do a lot of McGyvering.
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gt1953
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 24, 2016 7:00 am    Post subject: Re: Help fixing my battery charger? Reply with quote

Not sure where here is busmania. Just obtain an inexpensive VOM = Volt Ohm Meter. It is a handly tool in your tool box assuming that you even have one.
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Cusser
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 24, 2016 7:15 am    Post subject: Re: Help fixing my battery charger? Reply with quote

Cusser wrote:
60ragtop wrote:
if you just pulled the clamps off the wire, turn it on and hook up a voltage meter, that will tell you what is the + side and negative



This. DC voltmeter 0-20 volts will tell you what you want to need. Even the free ones from Harbor Freight, with coupon and a purchase.


If you can't afford or know how to use a multimeter, you probably shouldn't be driving an old VW. Or any vehicle.
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