XPost: sci.electronics.basics, sci.electronics.components, sci.e   
   ectronics.design   
   XPost: sci.electronics.repair   
   From: jamie_ka1lpa_not_valid_after_ka1lpa_@charter.net   
      
   Mike Cook wrote:   
   > A friend has a battery powered Ryobi lawn trimmer ("weed whacker") which   
   > doesn't work. The 12vdc wall wart puts out only ~ 12.4v.   
   >   
   > I charged the lead-acid gel cell using a car charger. The charge rate   
   > (selectable) was 0.5A. Afterward the trimmer seemed to work as new.   
   >   
   > Can the car charger be used to charge this battery? He can install a timer to   
   > limit charge time if that's something required.   
   >   
   > Thanks.   
   >   
      
      
     THe OEM charger most likely is unfiltered. Put a cap on the output but   
   do not connect it to the battery and then do a voltage check.   
      
      If you see a jump in voltage then this means the battery is on its   
   last leg and you really shouldn't push it.   
      
     A good test for this condition is to fully charge it with your auto   
   charger and disconnect it and test the voltage a day later or few hours   
   later to note the discharge.   
      
     It is possible the charger is bad but I am going with a   
   bad battery. You can always get a weak battery to appear good with an   
   extra current source but the charge will dwindle.   
      
      
   Jamie   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
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