faulty battery charger? (with happy ending)

[davidduarte]

I have a Sears 6/12 volt charger. There's a 2 position switch, either 6 volts/4 amps, or 12 volts/2 amps. I suspect that the switch is faulty, because I left the bike plugged into it all winter, but when I went to start it a few days ago, none of the lights turned on when I turned the ignition on. I hooked up the jumper cables between the bike and my car (engine off), and the lights came on, but it would barely crank, nowhere near enough to start. Pulled out the battery, turns out the cells were pretty low. I filled them up, hooked them up to the same charger, fully charged, back in the bike, nothing. I ended up using a different charger, 12 volt/1.5 amp, charged the battery, and after putting it back in the bike, it lit up, and started on the first try. Started it again today, again, first try. If the weatherman is right, the next two days should be in the 60's, so I'll be riding to work. This is a good thing

[tom203]

I have a Sears 6/12 volt charger. There's a 2 position switch, either 6 volts/4 amps, or 12 volts/2 amps. I suspect that the switch is faulty, because I left the bike plugged into it all winter,

If it's not one of the new "battery maintainer" chargers, it's not designed to be left on. After six hours, your battery was fully charged and it should have been disconnected ,as these simple chargers will keep trying to charge.I charge my batteries every two months during winter. You're lucky if your battery is not cooked, or your charger is not cooked- but you'll find this out soon.

[chuck hahn]

I have a Schuemaker one with the 2 amp, 12 amp, and 75 amp boost on it. All 12 volt settings. Its an AUTOMATIC charger..It can be left on and acts just like a battery tender.. Yours say anything about it being an automatic charger in the owners manual or on the charger cabinet???

[SqDancerLynn1]

I have one of those 1A 6/12V 35+years old. Over the years I have repaired the cables, replaced the AC chord and the 6/12 switch It still work,