Battery Charging

[traveler]

When plugged into power all of my 12 volt DC things work fine--so my power inverter must be ok. But my relatively new battery --6 months old--is not being charged. I have a Charge Wizard connected to the inverter and it cycles through its options fine, so I think that it is ok and is trying to do the things it is supposed to do to the barttery.

I have checked the breaker in the battery compartment and it is ok, I think, and the switch is in the "on" position in the front leg hydraulic compartment.

Any ideas as to what I should check or try?

Thanks for you help.

[Motor31]

Do you have some basic measuring items like a volt meter and a hydrometer?

If the voltage going to the battery is not up to 13 volts you are not getting a charge. If you are getting 13+volts (13.8 is optimum) then perhaps the battery is not taking a charge or has other problems. That's where the hydrometer comes in. You need to check the specific gravity of each cell of the battery. If the gravity is ok you still may have a sulfated battery and a load tester may be needed to check the battery.

[igotjam]

Check battery. Same thing happened to me after 3 months. Batteries would not hold a charge. Best DT could do was get pro-rated $ back from Interstate.

[traveler]

Latest. Went back to Walmart and they tested the 8 month old battery--bad!!! Gave me a new one. But I wonder if the Charge Wizard had anything to do with the battery going "bad". I think I will stop using the device and be more conscientious about throwing the battery switch when plugged into power so that I do not overcharge the battery.