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I had two off these from HF that failed to do anything right out of the box. Took my fifty yr. old rusty Sears charger out and started the car right up.
It worked for me. Thanks for sharing the fix. My Cen-Tech charger was going crazy, loud cycling on and off, putting out low voltage and sometimes actually draining the battery. Had just purchased a replacement when I saw your post. Returned it and pocketed the $30 it cost.
Thank You. Mine quit after a few years of hard use. It indicated it was charging even with no battery attached but it was not providing any power. Mine looks the same outside but there were 3 220uF inside. I just swapped all 3 and the charger started working again. Install capacitors the same orientation, usually a white stripe.
Thanks for this video. I have a VMAX tanks 12V 7A charger BC1207A. The lights which show the charging stage and power on status on the front do not turn on at all. However, When I put my meter on the clamps it reads 10A. Any idea what could be going on?
I've had three of these dogs in less than a year, they don't work right out of the box. If you take them back they give you a new one that won't work either, they are garbage.
I heard an old man trash talking harbor freight like "this ain't no harbor freight" 😆 I just thought he didn't like cheap tools, until I learned the hard way.
Mine is brand new. Lights don’t come on on the front and the charge gauge is at 100%. Even when unplugged and not connected. Should I examine it or just return?
I have two of these terrible chargers. One worked for some time and I bought another to have a spare. Now it seems they are both draining batteries. I thought my batteries were shot, until finally I tried to charge a brand new car battery that was dead and it would not charge. I took it back to the store and the battery charged up fine, yet neither of my Harbor Freight chargers could charge it and I suspect were draining it instead. Thanks for the video, but these are going into the garbage and I will find something better.
Good one. I have 220 uF capacitors at 10V or 25V. I see yours says the same uF but 35v. Can I replace it with anyone of the above as long as uF is the same?
You can replace with a higher voltage rating (e.g. original was 25V, can replace with a 35 or 50 volt rated cap), of the same uF value. Don't go lower, though!
You can’t test them. He’s doing it wrong. Capacitor testers can say if a Cap. is bad, but if it tests good then it still may be bad. The final “Test” is installing a new Cap. and see if it works. Guys.
@@catlady8324 I got a cap tester long before the started putting them on multimeters. They are a blessing, but, if the cap is bad, you may have other components out of spec. 👍👍
If the battery you need to charge is totally dead you need to put either jumper cables on it with a vehicle that’s running or a portable jumper battery. Most chargers won’t work unless there is some charge left in the “dead” battery.
This is really good to know! I have been struggling because I plug my charger into the wall, nothing, it says "unpowered until connected to battery" but the power light doesn't even come on for me so mine might be bad. I used it twice and it's been sitting for a while
Update: I tested on my good battery and it worked, so I jumped the bad battery then put the charger on it, charger kicked in, removed the jumper to the good battery, charger is now running a trickle charge so far so good! Thanks for the inspiration!
I want to figure out a way to disable the feature where the cables aren’t charged until they’re connected to a battery. I’ve had too many times where if the battery I’m trying to connect to has too low a charge, the charger doesn’t recognize I’m connected to a battery and it won’t put out power. I’ve had to trick it by connecting a jump pack to the battery then connect the charger and then disconnect the jump pack and then the charger will work.
I was about to return this to the store before reading this. I came up with the solution myself at about the same time. You shouldn't have to do that. My old charger worked fine until some prick stole it. He or she needs to have a rusty chain wrapped around their neck and dragged through the street from a 1996 Chevy Caprice.
With over 14 thousand views of this video in less than 9 months, Harbor Freight must be selling a lot of lousy Cen-Tech battery chargers. I recently bought two Cen-Tech battery chargers as I had a coupon for $29.99 for each one. One charger is working so far, but the other one never worked, so I will be returning it. When using the charger that is working, the bottom of the charger gets very hot after using it for about an hour on the 2 amp trickle charge setting. Because the charger is getting so hot, I am not sure how long this one will last.
Your testing capacitor in circuit, you’ll not get a true reading, same as the fuse, at least one lead has to be disconnected to truly test. That usually is true with most any component, you are reading through circuitry, even the same value component in a different part of circuit will read differently. Now, not saying that if you KNOW the value of the good component in that circuit on a working system or good circuit, you can relate that a component might be bad.
THE UNIT HAS ONLY ONE MOTHERBOARD GROUND -- ADD A GROUND FOR THE MOTHERBOARD FIRST, AS IT IS SUBJECT TO PULL TOO MUCH CURRENT AND COOK THE ALUMINUM FOIL TYPE CIRCUITRY ON THE BOARD. IT IS MUCH EASIER TO SOLDER A GROUND TO THE BOARD AND ATTACH THE OTHER END TO THE SOLID ALUMINUM SUPPORTING PLATE.
I have the same charger. I need a exact replacement meter guage. A wire came off and melted the Guage. charger still works. I need a link to purchase one. Help? Part number? Thanks
When testing a capacitor you need a meter that checks the value of the capacitor in MF micro farids....to check note the MF value printed on the capacitor then do actual probe test on capacitor the value should match the value printed on the capacitor, if it doesn't match it is bad or intermittently bad....but again must have a meter that measures in micro farids
How is your experience with it so far? I have seen many videos where on 50AMP the meter goes crazy. Did you face same issue, or is it an issue to start with? Please help.
Or you can just return it back to Harbor Freight and get a new one without doing all of this mess! I put insurance on it for only $8 dollars for 1 year. Just going to the store and get a new one
Theyre a scam. I rage destroyed one (before I started my channel or I would have filmed it) and kept an older one. Does harbor freight exchange older ones? Must be several years old now.
*_"Farad's"_* ...... ALL CAPACITORS, are measured in, *_"FARADS,"_* (pronounced................. *_"FAIR - AD,"_* or *_"FARE - AD,"_* Sometimes, in plural, rather than singular, IE; "Hey dudeman!! I just bought a shit-ton of Capacitors, albeit they were in different *_"farad(S!!)"_* Nowwwww, Capacitors also come in "different flavors..," such as "u" = "micro" (farad) ... ORR for example, you needed a *_"20uf Capacitor."_* But, here's the thing about this battery charger....., I just purchase it 3 mos. ago, and I did not have to use it!! So, it is, quite literally... brand new, and fresh out of the box. However, that didn't matter, as the bastard failed me when I needed it the VERY MOST!!
this is a pos i got one never worked from day one and then they would not replace it im done with harbor freight over a 50 dollar charger. ill spend my money somewhere else .
After watching bout one minute of this video, it is clear that this guy has no idea how to troubleshoot electronic equipment. First, in order to determine if a fuse is open, you m would need to remove it from the circuit. A fuse still in the circuit that shows continuity could still be open. Second, in order to measure the value of a capacitor, you would also need to remove it from the circuit. If the capacitor is burned, then any measurement of the capacitance value would be suspect. Why not just read the value on the capacitor, itself. also, if the capacitor is burned, there may be some other problem in the circuitry.
Are you serious? You're going to check a capacitor with an ohm meter on ohms? Seriously? You may want to check a capacitor with the correct meter out of circuit. Get real!
By the way these things are JUNK, biggest POS ever made, it will not charge a DEAD battery, as it has to see voltage to charge. Only way to get it to charge is hook another 10-12v supply to it, as in jump start, I’ve used a 12v tool battery in a pinch. Not much use on a large truck or diesel battery either, it’ll burn up in no time. Way to mediocre circuit design for a charger. I have an old Sears that’s probably 40 years old still works better than this POS.
This would be really really nice if it was a quick fix video Instead of this long process of fixing a battery charger just go buy a new 1 they're cheap😊
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www.amazon.com/shop/worldmechanics
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I had two off these from HF that failed to do anything right out of the box. Took my fifty yr. old rusty Sears charger out and started the car right up.
It worked for me. Thanks for sharing the fix. My Cen-Tech charger was going crazy, loud cycling on and off, putting out low voltage and sometimes actually draining the battery. Had just purchased a replacement when I saw your post. Returned it and pocketed the $30 it cost.
If I knew how to read/use a multimeter, this would be helpful. LOL
THUMBS-UP
I’m just glad you didn’t hook the charger up the way you tested the battery with your multimeter at the end ;)
Thank You. Mine quit after a few years of hard use. It indicated it was charging even with no battery attached but it was not providing any power. Mine looks the same outside but there were 3 220uF inside. I just swapped all 3 and the charger started working again. Install capacitors the same orientation, usually a white stripe.
Changing capacitors probably fixed the problem, but you CANNOT test capacitors by measuring resistance.
😅😅😅😅 i was about to say. capacitance mircofarad
I was thinking same thing . He got lucky. smh
Microfarad for capacitor
What do you mean? I just watched this guy do it several times...... /s lol
Guys ok, guys, now guys, and guys and stuff and guys, guys, guys....... Thanks for the helpful vid. I honestly needed to know this. Thanks, guys!
Looks like a good fix. I'll try it. Thanks sooooo much!
Excelente oportunidad para aprender. Gracias m
Thanks for this video. I have a VMAX tanks 12V 7A charger BC1207A. The lights which show the charging stage and power on status on the front do not turn on at all. However, When I put my meter on the clamps it reads 10A. Any idea what could be going on?
I've had three of these dogs in less than a year, they don't work right out of the box. If you take them back they give you a new one that won't work either, they are garbage.
Me too, first one was DOA. #2 worked once, then dead. #3 worked once, then dead.
I heard an old man trash talking harbor freight like "this ain't no harbor freight" 😆 I just thought he didn't like cheap tools, until I learned the hard way.
Mine is brand new. Lights don’t come on on the front and the charge gauge is at 100%. Even when unplugged and not connected. Should I examine it or just return?
It's a cheap product return it
I have two of these terrible chargers. One worked for some time and I bought another to have a spare. Now it seems they are both draining batteries. I thought my batteries were shot, until finally I tried to charge a brand new car battery that was dead and it would not charge. I took it back to the store and the battery charged up fine, yet neither of my Harbor Freight chargers could charge it and I suspect were draining it instead. Thanks for the video, but these are going into the garbage and I will find something better.
Those chargers WILL NOT WORK on a battery that are 100% DEAD.
Good one.
I have 220 uF capacitors at 10V or 25V.
I see yours says the same uF but 35v. Can I replace it with anyone of the above as long as uF is the same?
You can replace with a higher voltage rating (e.g. original was 25V, can replace with a 35 or 50 volt rated cap), of the same uF value. Don't go lower, though!
How do you get accurate capacitance without taking it out of the circuit? Gee I'm getting dizzy.
Y... You don't. He had his multimeter on ohms, which is definitely not how you measure capacitance..
@@andrewstienburg8791 I guess he could check if it is shorted.
Best way to test a cap is use an old analogue multi meter. You pull the cap out of circuit and watch for a kick on the needle.
You can’t test them. He’s doing it wrong. Capacitor testers can say if a Cap. is bad, but if it tests good then it still may be bad. The final “Test” is installing a new Cap. and see if it works. Guys.
@@catlady8324 I got a cap tester long before the started putting them on multimeters. They are a blessing, but, if the cap is bad, you may have other components out of spec. 👍👍
If the battery you need to charge is totally dead you need to put either jumper cables on it with a vehicle that’s running or a portable jumper battery. Most chargers won’t work unless there is some charge left in the “dead” battery.
This is really good to know! I have been struggling because I plug my charger into the wall, nothing, it says "unpowered until connected to battery" but the power light doesn't even come on for me so mine might be bad. I used it twice and it's been sitting for a while
Update: I tested on my good battery and it worked, so I jumped the bad battery then put the charger on it, charger kicked in, removed the jumper to the good battery, charger is now running a trickle charge so far so good! Thanks for the inspiration!
@@brennendergeist8796 🤠🤙🏼
I want to figure out a way to disable the feature where the cables aren’t charged until they’re connected to a battery. I’ve had too many times where if the battery I’m trying to connect to has too low a charge, the charger doesn’t recognize I’m connected to a battery and it won’t put out power. I’ve had to trick it by connecting a jump pack to the battery then connect the charger and then disconnect the jump pack and then the charger will work.
I was about to return this to the store before reading this. I came up with the solution myself at about the same time. You shouldn't have to do that. My old charger worked fine until some prick stole it. He or she needs to have a rusty chain wrapped around their neck and dragged through the street from a 1996 Chevy Caprice.
If you need a video of 6 screws removing cover, you really should NOT Be Messing with insides of charger?!
With over 14 thousand views of this video in less than 9 months, Harbor Freight must be selling a lot of lousy Cen-Tech battery chargers. I recently bought two Cen-Tech battery chargers as I had a coupon for $29.99 for each one. One charger is working so far, but the other one never worked, so I will be returning it. When using the charger that is working, the bottom of the charger gets very hot after using it for about an hour on the 2 amp trickle charge setting. Because the charger is getting so hot, I am not sure how long this one will last.
I've had 3 in a few months, keep taking them back to HF and they give me a new one that doesn't work either, they are complete junk.
Your testing capacitor in circuit, you’ll not get a true reading, same as the fuse, at least one lead has to be disconnected to truly test.
That usually is true with most any component, you are reading through circuitry, even the same value component in a different part of circuit will read differently. Now, not saying that if you KNOW the value of the good component in that circuit on a working system or good circuit, you can relate that a component might be bad.
I'm taking mine back , battery chargers were the same for 100 years but harbor freight screwed that up.
Is the 220uf 35v capacitor the correct capacitor size(?) and not some other size like a 10 or 12 volt
Higher voltage rating is ok--just never go lower voltage rating than the original cap.
Drinking game. Shot every time he says "guys". You'll be hammered 25 seconds into the video.
THE UNIT HAS ONLY ONE MOTHERBOARD GROUND -- ADD A GROUND FOR THE MOTHERBOARD FIRST, AS IT IS SUBJECT TO PULL TOO MUCH CURRENT AND COOK THE ALUMINUM FOIL TYPE CIRCUITRY ON THE BOARD. IT IS MUCH EASIER TO SOLDER A GROUND TO THE BOARD AND ATTACH THE OTHER END TO THE SOLID ALUMINUM SUPPORTING PLATE.
I have the same charger. I need a exact replacement meter guage. A wire came off and melted the Guage. charger still works. I need a link to purchase one. Help? Part number? Thanks
When testing a capacitor you need a meter that checks the value of the capacitor in MF micro farids....to check note the MF value printed on the capacitor then do actual probe test on capacitor the value should match the value printed on the capacitor, if it doesn't match it is bad or intermittently bad....but again must have a meter that measures in micro farids
Can we get an interpreter over there?
How is your experience with it so far? I have seen many videos where on 50AMP the meter goes crazy. Did you face same issue, or is it an issue to start with? Please help.
Bought new a few days ago. Used to inflate tire and it popped and began smoking. Returning it tomorrow. Dang.
You inflated your tire with a battery charger? Neat.
Good job
What problem were you trying to solve?
Or you can just return it back to Harbor Freight and get a new one without doing all of this mess! I put insurance on it for only $8 dollars for 1 year. Just going to the store and get a new one
This is interesting. Mine just died after nearly 10 years. For what I paid for it I figured 10 years is pretty good
Okay
I have no clue what problem he is trying to fix. A very bad presentation.
I will change them both anyway
Theyre a scam. I rage destroyed one (before I started my channel or I would have filmed it) and kept an older one. Does harbor freight exchange older ones? Must be several years old now.
*_"Farad's"_* ...... ALL CAPACITORS, are measured in, *_"FARADS,"_* (pronounced................. *_"FAIR - AD,"_* or *_"FARE - AD,"_* Sometimes, in plural, rather than singular, IE; "Hey dudeman!! I just bought a shit-ton of Capacitors, albeit they were in different *_"farad(S!!)"_*
Nowwwww, Capacitors also come in "different flavors..," such as "u" = "micro" (farad) ... ORR for example, you needed a *_"20uf Capacitor."_* But, here's the thing about this battery charger....., I just purchase it 3 mos. ago, and I did not have to use it!! So, it is, quite literally... brand new, and fresh out of the box. However, that didn't matter, as the bastard failed me when I needed it the VERY MOST!!
The wires melted on mine. Does anyone have a video on rewiring it
this is a pos i got one never worked from day one and then they would not replace it im done with harbor freight over a 50 dollar charger. ill spend my money somewhere else .
After watching bout one minute of this video, it is clear that this guy has no idea how to troubleshoot electronic equipment. First, in order to determine if a fuse is open, you m would need to remove it from the circuit. A fuse still in the circuit that shows continuity could still be open. Second, in order to measure the value of a capacitor, you would also need to remove it from the circuit. If the capacitor is burned, then any measurement of the capacitance value would be suspect. Why not just read the value on the capacitor, itself. also, if the capacitor is burned, there may be some other problem in the circuitry.
am i crazy have i been doing this wrong or whats going on here what happened? have i been living a lie?
Are you serious? You're going to check a capacitor with an ohm meter on ohms? Seriously? You may want to check a capacitor with the correct meter out of circuit. Get real!
you're lucky you didn't fry your meter.
I just bought my 2nd one and neither of these pieces of shit work
By the way these things are JUNK, biggest POS ever made, it will not charge a DEAD battery, as it has to see voltage to charge.
Only way to get it to charge is hook another 10-12v supply to it, as in jump start, I’ve used a 12v tool battery in a pinch.
Not much use on a large truck or diesel battery either, it’ll burn up in no time. Way to mediocre circuit design for a charger.
I have an old Sears that’s probably 40 years old still works better than this POS.
220 pico farad
micro farad, not pico.
Guys
these chargers are junk!
DIY means do it yourself go to the store buy a dozen 30 bucks boom fixed
This would be really really nice if it was a quick fix video Instead of this long process of fixing a battery charger just go buy a new 1 they're cheap😊
Good job