[ausev] charger help

[Marc Kohler]

Hi Guys,

I've been slowly getting my ElectraVan road worthy.  Now that it is, I'm
having problems with my chargers.

Background:  I have two chargers that came with the van, a K&W BC-20 and a
Lester (transformer version).

Both supposedly worked last time the previous owner used the van (1998).

 

The K&W BC-20 works on 120VAC input.  Its fuse is good, the breaker switch
is not thrown, and the GFI tests out.  When plugged in the Green ON light
comes on and the fan spins, but no current seems to flow (it has an
ammeter).  At first I thought that it did not allow current to flow because
my open circuit voltage was too high.  But I've dragged the battery voltage
down enough that it should have come on.

 

The Lester is a dual output version (108V and 12V) and can accept 120V or
240VAC.  When I plug it in, the Charger ON light does not come on, nor does
anything change when I push the Press To Reset button.  The 3 fuses appear
to be good.  The thing shows no signs of life.  There is no fan.  I took the
cover off to see if there was anything obvious, but everything looks normal
(no burns or broken wires).  I suppose the printed circuit board could be
bad after sitting for so long, but I don't know how to troubleshoot it.

 

It's killing me to finally have an operational vehicle but I can't drive it
until I get a charger working (using my 12V charger takes me 8 days to
charge the batteries up individually).

 

Does anyone have any experience with either of these types of chargers?  I'm
thinking that the problem with the K&W is something simple.  I have no
desire to send the Lester off to get fixed as it weighs over 60 lbs and
shipping alone wouldn't be worth it, so I hope to be able to repair it
locally (or at least determine the problem locally).

I like it for its dual input voltage capability.

 

Any advice would be appreciated.  My only other option is to purchase a new
charger.

Thanks,
Marc Kohler

 

 

 

  

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