Quick fix for a basic car battery charger - replace the bridge rectifier

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Komentáře • 84

  • @Xynudu
    @Xynudu  Před 2 lety +11

    Note: Bridge rectifier voltage upper limit is usually 400 - 600 volts and not an issue, as it can easily handle any voltage able to be put out by the transformer. The MAIN FACTOR is to make sure the amperage upper limit is sufficient. Going higher than standard (the maximum stated output of the charger) is a good thing. Cheers Rob

    • @lomgshorts3
      @lomgshorts3 Před rokem +2

      I agree Rob! Always over amp the rectifier so the heat that the charger generates will not cook the rectifier. 8amps is either replaced by either 15 or 20 amp regulator. This makes the regulator more stout for long durability.

  • @grandadsfishingboat7455
    @grandadsfishingboat7455 Před 2 lety +3

    Nice one Rob.. my new hobby repairing old battery chargers..Regards Stuart Bell from UK

  • @thehobbymachinistnz
    @thehobbymachinistnz Před 2 lety +3

    Another useful video Rob. I'm sure there are many people out there with broken chargers who can now troubleshoot and fix them.

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před 2 lety

      It's pretty straight forward if you trace the output through from the transformer. I fixed up another identical Arlec 8 amp charger today with exactly the same issues. All good again for $2.65. A similar looking new one from Repco is over $139 AU. Interestingly the basic old style chargers are still available and cost a lot more than the modern inverter type for the same output. Cheers Rob

  • @shawnmrfixitlee6478
    @shawnmrfixitlee6478 Před 2 lety +2

    I use those old chargers to get a deep cycle battery going again after sitting . Great repair Rob !

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před 2 lety +2

      Hi Shawn. I have not had to do that, but I can see where one would be good for that. They are pretty tough units when treated right. The Bro Inlaw picked up this one and dropped off another identical unit to do the same repair. So that's the next thing on the agenda. Cheers Rob

  • @sambodi5283
    @sambodi5283 Před rokem +2

    I have 3 of these type chargers. I've just kept buying a new one each time they have failed. Now I can sort them all out. Thanks

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před rokem

      Glad I could help. Cheers Rob

  • @glennfelpel9785
    @glennfelpel9785 Před 2 lety +2

    Rob, I am very pleased that you did this video. Thank you. I have a charger which doesn't work and I was just going to get a new one. Not now Thanks again.

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před 2 lety

      Hi Glenn. Sometimes it's just bad connections from age, but this video will guide you through the other possabilities. I hope it works out for you. Cheers Rob

  • @AmateurRedneckWorkshop
    @AmateurRedneckWorkshop Před 2 lety +1

    G'day Rob. That one got me all charged up. Keep on keeping on.

  • @SeanBZA
    @SeanBZA Před 2 lety +5

    The big killer of these is reversing the leads, which blows the bridge rectifier almost immediately. I solved that on the one with a relay powered by a diode from the output, so that you need at least 8V on the battery, and the leads connected right, before it will charge. Also added a switch just in case the battery is stone dead, or under 6V, but with a LED to show it is actually correct, so the relay can close with mains applied. Also put in a 35A bridge rectifier, barely more than the 10A one price wise, but with a 15A blade fuse there in the leads, inside the case, the fuse will blow first when you put the leads on backwards.
    Charger is a little old GE unit, made circa 1956 from the patent dates on it, and has survived many years. Did add in a charge contrtoller so it will not overcharge the battery, but tapers off to maintain it.
    Got another smaller GE unit, with similar 8VAV and 16VAC transformer, and with a selector plug for voltage for 3 cell or 6 cell batteries, and a meter. Had to replace the old rotted out leads, and also the bridge rectifier, as it was kind of rusted apart, and after a phosphoric acid bath and paint coat the case came back to looking acceptable. Not new, and I wanted to keep the labels, so just not looking like a collection of rust, but steel is now protected and no holes in it. Did have to drill all the original rivets, used to hold the case together, to get it apart, but it now works well. Made circa 1960, but transformers are pretty much going to last with only a small amount of care.

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před 2 lety +2

      I have a green 5 amp GEC charger from the 70's. It has two bridge type plugs on the front panel to select voltage. These corroded internally and needed attention way back, but is still going perfectly. Been used for all sorts of power supply work as well (electrolysis etc) which many modern IC units can't handle very well. Cheers Rob

    • @SeanBZA
      @SeanBZA Před 2 lety +1

      @@Xynudu Glad to know GE has been using the same shitty jumpers for decades then. I had to make new ones for mine, they did the same thing. They do have a fusible link in them, which is made from soft tin alloy, which corrodes away inside the casing.

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před 2 lety +2

      Interesting info. I drilled a centre hole right though all four jumper pins and fed a bridging wire through from pin to pin at the plastic end (which I recessed for the wire) and soldered at each pin end. Simple fix and solved the problem. Great old charger. Cheers Rob

  • @theSam91
    @theSam91 Před 2 lety +1

    I fixed my dads old 6v/12v battery charger this way, it was from England in the 1960's and had a selenium rectifier stack in it, changed over to a modern silicone type with no issue.

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před 2 lety

      I wondered how a selenium change over would work regarding the output voltage. One viewer said it is wrong. Did you check it ? Cheers Rob

  • @johno7149
    @johno7149 Před rokem +1

    Great Video, Thanks!

  • @abelabner
    @abelabner Před 7 měsíci

    good explanation, ty very much!

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před 7 měsíci

      You're welcome!

  • @pgs8597
    @pgs8597 Před 2 lety +2

    G'day Rob. Good video brought back some of my very limited knowledge of electronics. These old chargers are great but have a problem of lack of regulation for those who are lazy, forgetful or simply trained by today's standards of just leave it plugged in and forget, you've gotta remember to turn em off. Thanks for sharing. Cheers Peter

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před 2 lety +2

      Hi Peter. Yes, they are pretty low tech, but they can handle shitty jobs like power supply for electrolysis etc. My old 5 amp GEC unit from the 70's has earned it's keep. Cheers Rob

  • @allthegearnoidea6752
    @allthegearnoidea6752 Před 2 lety +1

    Great little fix thanks regards chris

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před 2 lety

      Useful to know. Even a non electric savvy person can do this one. Cheers rob

  • @kentuckytrapper780
    @kentuckytrapper780 Před 2 lety +1

    Great info rob,thanks..

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před 2 lety +1

      Handy to know. It might even be useful one day ;) Cheers Rob

  • @FrankLowe1949
    @FrankLowe1949 Před rokem

    Very nice thank you.

  • @MartsGarage
    @MartsGarage Před 2 lety

    Hi Rob. I'm not too much of a sparky but I think even I could have a go at that. I have a couple of older battery chargers and they both work, my problem is the el-cheapo ammeters are all knackered. I've got a couple of late model so called more sophisticated jobs that I tend to use. I see the pos dc corner on the bridge rectifier has a bevel so it can be identified from the other side. that's handy. Cheers! Mart.

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před 2 lety

      Hi Mart. Yes, I noticed the notch. Handy if the pin markings are not visible. One of mine is so old it has a light bulb instead of an analogue meter. The bulb (red) gets dimmer as the amps get less - simple idea. Cheers Rob

  • @apistosig4173
    @apistosig4173 Před 2 lety +1

    I have one - had it for decades 🙂

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před 2 lety +1

      It should last you out if treated correctly ;) Cheers Rob

    • @apistosig4173
      @apistosig4173 Před 2 lety

      @@Xynudu Undoubtedly - last time I used it was messin' around with electroplating - far from ideal. I must have had it 40 years now. I reckon Arlec has always been underrated

  • @wayneo7307
    @wayneo7307 Před 2 lety +1

    Hi Rob . Thanks . I Never Complain about A Refresher Course.

  • @CAROLDDISCOVER-FINDER2525
    @CAROLDDISCOVER-FINDER2525 Před 11 měsíci

    Where will explain sir. I like the fact how you put the print on screen to give us more information. I have a charger that something like 2 amp 10 amps and two hundred amps. I have saved many batteries with his charger and I've been without it now for over a year. So now I'm going to take it apart and see what I can find. Here in United States they run on 110 so not near the danger I believe anyway as the 220 v you are used to. It shows the green lights and it will show which amperage I have it set at. But it won't show the red for charging. It doesn't matter which setting I have it on. I believe it also has six volt capabilities although I've never used it for 6 volt. Thank you I feel more comfortable after watching your explanation. I watched two others and yours has been the best

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před 11 měsíci

      110 volts can kill you just as dead as 240 volts. This is because the lower voltage usually has higher amps to give the same energy factor. So be careful when handling either voltage. Cheers Rob

  • @CraigLYoung
    @CraigLYoung Před 2 lety +1

    Thanks for sharing 👍

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před 2 lety

      Thanks for watching

  • @seavee2000
    @seavee2000 Před 2 lety +5

    The older, cheaper classic battery chargers are far more reliable than the so called "smart" chargers-had several of those pack up but the old ones soldier on forever. Obviously unplug the unit before doing any soldering or replacement of components.

    • @BenMitro
      @BenMitro Před 2 lety +3

      Exactly right - battery chargers have gone from simple to complex for no good reason at all.

    • @Raj-nh3fc
      @Raj-nh3fc Před rokem

      Not true at all. My Ctek XS 3.6 amp smart battery charger has lasted more than 20 years and now one of the cable on low voltage side has shorted and I plan to replace the cable and keep on using it. Besides these modern smart chargers charge your battery correctly (by checking the battery state and charge it optimally, varying the current as required) and can keep the trickle charge on for months. They can even exercise and desulfate the battery. They are much safer than the old charger shown here.

  • @RetroSteamTech
    @RetroSteamTech Před 2 lety +1

    Hi Rob. A nice cheap fix 👍👍 Sadly you don't seem to see those sort of chargers any more. Which is a shame because if looked after they would last for years. Cheers, Alan.

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před 2 lety +2

      Hi Alan. I have a couple and the Bro-Inlaw must have half a dozen. Old tech can be good. Cheers Rob

    • @SeanBZA
      @SeanBZA Před 2 lety +1

      You still buy them new, but like everything else they have now been cost cut down to nothing. Way under rated in the transformer and rectifier, and the ammeter is often not present, so you just have a single LED to tell you if it is actually connected to the battery and hopefully the hum tells you it is charging. They are now almost empty, with no weight to them, because the tiny transformer is so small, and runs smoking hot.

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před 2 lety

      I'm not surprised ;) One of my old ones has a red light instead of an amp meter, which progressively dims as the amp draw drops. Simple idea. Cheers Rob

  • @jusb1066
    @jusb1066 Před 2 lety

    Some of the old metal case ones don't use a bridge rectifier but a selenium diode, it looks like a thing with heatsink plates. If you replace that with the modern diodes or bridge rectifier they overcharge..

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před 2 lety +1

      Interesting. I wondered about that. I take it the transformer output voltage is too high ? Cheers Rob

    • @glennalldis5319
      @glennalldis5319 Před měsícem

      Remember that the old selenium rectifiers are very toxic. Use gloves when handling - and if it has blown up and left any smoke residue clean up carefully!

  • @virtualmarc2383
    @virtualmarc2383 Před 2 lety +2

    The problem with these old-style chargers is they're unregulated and the no-load voltage is quite a bit higher than the battery voltage. If you leave them on too long you'll cook your battery. By the time you're below about two amps you start to rise above a healthy charge voltage. This is partially due to the unfiltered peak-to-peak voltage being much higher than battery voltage.

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před 2 lety

      Yes, good points. Cheers Rob

    • @Raj-nh3fc
      @Raj-nh3fc Před rokem

      Yes very true. They are not as safe as the new smart chargers and I am surprised that people are still using these non smart charger. My Ctek charger has worked well for more than 20 years now. The cable got eroded and shorted on the low voltage side but no harm done to the charger due to short protection. Imagine if that happened to an old non smart charger! I plan to change that cable and keep on using it.

    • @CAROLDDISCOVER-FINDER2525
      @CAROLDDISCOVER-FINDER2525 Před 11 měsíci

      ​@@Raj-nh3fcthe newest style of charger I just bought here in the United States probably about 3 years ago but they sell now Schumacher's the brand. If it don't have at least 9 you ever taken the battery won't charge it. Same thing with the batteries chargers at the parts store and Walmart and other places that charges batteries for free. I go through a lot of vehicles. So I have a number batteries on hand and I will tell you that 95 times out of a hundred batteries when they tell me they can't charge it I can bring it home and charge it. Why don't I charged it home well sometimes I'm using a battery on my trailer Hauling the car I ran the battery little low. I do not like the new style charges. But maybe that's not what you're talkin about. The reason why I'm looking at this video today is my fifteen-year-old charger will not charge. Is also a Schumacher. The oldest Schumacher I have is probably around 60 years of age. The newest one I have is three years old and I'll never buy another one I'll just continue to buy old secondhand charges.

  • @mohinderkaur6671
    @mohinderkaur6671 Před rokem

    Heatsink and heavier rectifier like 35 amps

  • @markgardiner1767
    @markgardiner1767 Před rokem

    GREAT TUITION, WHERE DO I PURCHASE THE BRIDGE RECIFIER PLEASE ROB?

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před rokem

      Hi Mark. In Australia get it from Jaycar. Rest of the world try your local electronics parts store. A very cheap part. Also available on Ebay etc. It pays to get one that is a higher wattage than the rated amps on the charger. Larger is better and not much price difference. Cheers Rob

  • @james10739
    @james10739 Před 5 měsíci

    Mine seems to have 2 input windings for the 6v vs 12v and the outputs are 3 wires which appears to be center tapped and each of them went to a diode and from the diodes out so in my understanding not a full bridge rectifier and one of the diods broke off so i was trying a full bridge rectifier but i also had to have 2 extra diode to hook up both lines and it seemed to preform worse less current with them and the full bridge rectifier i know i have more diods in line now so the voltage drop wasn't a surprise but i assume without the full bridge rectifier i was getting 60 pluses a second vs 120 with the full bridge rectifier but that seemed worse not better i don't know what i expected but it didn't work for me so i went back with just 2 10 amp Schottky Diode and it seems to work fine but i expected a full bridge rectifier to be better

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před 5 měsíci

      Hi James. Did this unit originally have a Silenium rectifier ? Cheers Rob

    • @james10739
      @james10739 Před 5 měsíci

      @Xynudu I don't know both the diodes were in a plate that became their commen output with a tab for the output on a corner but one if them broke off and the plate was riveted to the case with what appeared to be cardboard between as an insulator kinda looked like it could be soldered down but I don't know I just went back with Schottky Diodes I was thinking about using 1 full bridge rectifiers but I guess it's not that important

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před 5 měsíci

      Sounds like a pretty old unit. I have one similar but haven't fully investigated it. There are a number of circuits that were used over the decades. The more recent modular bridge rectifiers simplified things a lot. At least you got it working again. Cheers Rob

  • @ianbertenshaw4350
    @ianbertenshaw4350 Před 2 lety

    And you can use it as a power supply for anodising if you’re into that sort of thing .

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před 2 lety +1

      Yes and also for electrolysis.

  • @BenMitro
    @BenMitro Před 2 lety

    When you solder the legs, make sure you are holding the legs with a pair of plyers below the end to pull the heat away from the rectifier itself.

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před 2 lety +1

      Yes, good point Benny. I meant to add that but forgot. Cheers Rob

    • @gorak9000
      @gorak9000 Před 2 lety

      You just need to be fast - if you solder it fast, there isn't enough heat to cause an issue. Ironically the hotter your iron (within reason) the faster you can go. The way you kill parts with too much heat is using an iron that's just barely hot enough to melt the solder and then sitting there with the iron on the part for a long time waiting for it to just barely get hot enough to melt the solder. I run my irons at 650F (~350 C). You should be on and back off the joint in 4 seconds or less with an iron that's sufficiently hot.

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před 2 lety +1

      Yes, good point. Also pays to tin the pins (and the leads) before soldering them together. Cheers Rob

    • @BenMitro
      @BenMitro Před 2 lety

      @@gorak9000 Correct, like you point out this is not a job for a once-in-a-while soldering, hence the suggestion to use pliers - invariably a newbie will have problems and could well apply too much heat and destroy the bridge rectifier....and when the bridge rectifier fails, they'll just decide to never touch anything like that again, which would be a shame.

  • @adamsorell4851
    @adamsorell4851 Před 9 měsíci

    where you get cheap rectifier?

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před 9 měsíci

      Jaycar or a similar electronics component stockist.

  • @rcnelson
    @rcnelson Před rokem +1

    Who sells these rectifiers?

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před rokem

      Most electrical component suppliers like Jaycar will have them.

  • @NavinBetamax
    @NavinBetamax Před 2 lety

    The output of the stepdown transformer is dependant on the input voltage. If the input is lower than rated voltage ----The output also will be lower than the raring specified. Also, if the input voltage fluctuates ---- will effect output voltage . This happens when this type of basic charger is used in remote village, where the grid is not stable !!!

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před 2 lety

      Correct. Mains voltage where I live is actually higher than standard. Some of this could be due to the use of solar panels to feed back into the grid. Cheers Rob

    • @NavinBetamax
      @NavinBetamax Před 2 lety

      @@Xynudu Yes Sir......Higher or Lower......Fluctuating when on same line as an Arc Welder....All have effect on this charger.

    • @NavinBetamax
      @NavinBetamax Před 2 lety

      I had to use Servo Stabilizer when working in remote villages with power from Single Cylinder Diesel GenSet ( ancient WW2 vintage ! )

  • @dalemawby8717
    @dalemawby8717 Před rokem

    Great video. Will a charger still work if the amp metre is dodgy? I have one similar to this that's only 3 months old. It worked y'day but not today?
    Just found ur video

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před rokem

      The positive output all goes through the amp meter, so it needs to be fully conductive. If it is burnt out the current can't pass that point.

    • @dalemawby8717
      @dalemawby8717 Před rokem +1

      @@Xynudu thanks Rob,,, fixed it this morning with an Amp metre from another broken charger

  • @fuckuuto
    @fuckuuto Před rokem

    Wait this things dont have an RC filter at the end of the bridge rectifier?
    Insane....

  • @dumpy4289
    @dumpy4289 Před 2 lety

    heatsink paste between rectifier to case can help keep the thing cool - note that paste is not nice to humans

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před 2 lety

      Good point. Cheers Rob

  • @djpaulk
    @djpaulk Před 2 lety

    Well the bridge rectifier sounds cool.. Don't wear out the word.
    It's 4x diodes..
    Now. You own a tata, forget the charger. Mount a solar panel on the roof wired to battery via charge controller.. Then hang and paint shiney and bright colours on it...
    Don't electro anyone.
    Mind how yow go.
    Nice vid though.
    Paul

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před 2 lety

      I run a small solar panel on one of my cars to keep the battery topped up. Buy the correct type (number of cells) and you don't even need a regulator. Cheers Rob

    • @djpaulk
      @djpaulk Před 2 lety

      @@Xynudu But its only about 6 or 7 bucks from Banggood... Sorry, did that not turn out as a link 😉
      And you need your panel to have a diode to stop battery drain.

    • @Xynudu
      @Xynudu  Před 2 lety +1

      Yes, a diode is necessary for night time. Mine is an early panel made/sold by BP - about 0.75 amp and has a diode. Cheers Rob