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Is it the charger or the batteries that are failing??

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I went to hook up my 2 deep cycle 12volt marine batteries to my 24 volt transom mounted motor, just like I have 5 or so times this Summer, but the motor wouldn't turn. The batteries had been hooked up to an automatic charger (from Bass Pro Shops) for about a week, so they should've been charged. However -- nothing. No power from the batteries. (The charger was set properly for automatic charging of deep cycle batteries, and it has a trickle charge feature, too.)
The batteries (Sears) and charger were purchased new this Spring (2004).
I've now tried this twice with the same results -- no charge, or only a 10 second charge, from the batteries to the motor.
How do I test to see if the charger is bad, or how do I test to see if the batteries are bad and can't hold a charge? One way, I guess, would be to buy a new charger and hook it up to the batteries and see what happens. Or, I can buy 2 new batteries and hook them up to the original charger and see what happens.
Any thoughts??? If so, please email me at SkoConsult@aol.com, ro respond here, or both....
Thanks in advance.
Marty S.
Baltimore, MD

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Re: Is it the charger or the batteries that are failing?? - Marty S. 08:28:24 11/16/04 (0)
The answer to a complex problem is usually the simplest, right? I've been stumped by this problem since August -- is it the charger that is broken? why are the batteries not holding a charge? did my kids bust the motor when they were dumping their camp and college stuff in the garage? Which of the three components (battery, motor, charger) was the weak link? Or, which oneS??
The answer is --- -- ya gotta make sure that you have water in the battery!!!! You can't make electricity if the battery is dry!! I think I was completely drained of water in my two deep cycle batteries -- now I'm wondering what damage I've done to them by it being dry for months and also trying to charge them at the same time....
Anyway -- I think the problem is solved...
Marty S.
Baltimore, MD
Re: Is it the charger or the batteries that are failing?? - Thom V 14:04:31 09/08/04 (0)
Mmmmm� How about getting a multi-meter and setting it for 20 Volts DC. Then touch the prongs to the battery. If the charger is hooked up and running at the time, the meter will reflect the charge being given to the battery by the charger. Unhook the charger from the battery and test the battery posts with the multi-meter prongs � really low voltage registers? Go to paragraph #3.
Another �thang� you can do: It may be the battery (ies) are way down because the charger fuse has opened and it no longer is charging even though it�s lights are on and the transformer is buzzing. Replace the fuse (s).
Sometimes certain types of batteries need coaxing to get them to take a charge when they go to way low. Hook up a wire set leading to a 12v bulb. Attach to the battery for 10 to 15 minutes. Then hook up the charger for 10 to 15 minutes (we have already determined the charger is working from paragraph #1). Depending on the structure of the battery this may take a few times, back and forth, to get the battery to take the 'juice'.
Hope this helps!

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