Transformer help

[ss]

Transformer for an mobility scooter, FIL was so bad he couldnt even use it, so it lay dormant for a while and batteries went flat (according to mobility shop) so trying to get it going so I can sell cheap to a needy person. Before I could make a start I discover the charger not working and then what appears to be a fuse missing, I reckon this is on the output for

24v batteries. So at this point Idont know if the batteries are good or bad and could be charged., one reads 3+ volts the other 10+ volts. I will buy batteries if need be and price accordingly for selling. Question: Can I bypass the fuse temporarily to check both charger and batteries. From the image I would bridge the green line. Acceptable?

[ss]

Should have said charger NOT transformer.

[GB]

Clearly not a great idea, but you might get away with it. I am surprised you are proposing to bridge red to green, but the image is not clear.

I wonder who removed the fuse holder and why?

Good luck.

[ss]

It would likely be my FIL he was 90 and a bloody nightmare, wrecked everything one way or another.

The green wire is just my indicator as to where I would bridge (bypass) the fuse, what I am trying to do is bypass the fuse to see if the charger is working and then try and source a fuse holder for it. Then proceed to the batteries.

[Roger Mills]

I wouldn't by-pass the fuse. You don't know why it was removed. If the charger is faulty, the whole thing could go up in smoke.

That sort of fuse holder is fairly common. You may have one you can 'borrow' from a piece of hi-fi equipment, etc. If not, take the charger down to Maplins and see whether the cap from one of their fuseholders - such as

- will fit.

[dennis]

Borrow a 12v charger and charge each battery on its own.

[T i m]

Assuming the fuse is on the output(?) and the output rating of the charger mentioned somewhere, could you rig up (solder) a similar rated fuse on a pair of wires and tack the fuse in place across the fuseholder connections as your test?

I think at the voltages you mentioned the batteries will be shot and could blow the fuse in any case.

Cheers, T i m

[Roger Hayter]

At those voltages the chance of useful recovery are remote, and you definitely want a current limited charger (as most of the very cheap ones are) to start with. Or a charger that can be set to low current output.

[Dave Liquorice]

It might be, is it the only fuse? If so it's more likely to be the first thing after any mains switch before the circuit board. Where do the wires from it go?

Bypass as you show across the two tags on the holder. A bit of 5 A fuse wire wrapped around each tag and just one strand of wire wire linking the tags. If you don't have any fuse wire a single strand from a length of flex will do.

The +3 is probably dead, even if it takes a charge it won't work as well as the +10 one. As you intend to sell on it's probably best to get new batteries. Weigh the old ones in, last batteries I weighed in paid 62p/kg, Probably only a fiver for a couple of mobilty SLAs so not a great deal but if you happen to passing the scrappy...

[Bill Wright]

No it's the mains input fuse.

Bill

[Bill Wright]

You don't know the Ah. In any case 12Ah ones would be a lot more than that, and they're the smallest ones for titchy scooters.

Bill

[Brian Gaff]

So what rating was the fuse? The battery saying 10 volts may be salvageable not too sure about the other one though!

Brian

[David]

Are you sure that removing a fuse holder is the only "improvement" that he made?

If a piece of mains equipment has been modified for reasons unknown by someone who might be classed as "eccentric" then the whole thing could be unsafe.

Have you considered sourcing a replacement charger?

The batteries are much more straightforward; either they will charge or they won't.

I know this is a DIY forum but is there a local competent electrician? Probably auto electrician? Or a mobility scooter shop which services them?

It looks as though the charger needs a full diagnostic safety check (whatever that would be), with a view to repair/replace.

Cheers

Dave R

[ss]

Maybe not, I can double check but when I used a voltmeter across the fuse holder it was a low figure nothing near 240V. I have emailed several `mobility` companies but probably wont get an answer from them. The charger is Output:24V /5A and has a symbol for Fuse 10A 125V

[GB]

I didn't know your fil, but there's a big difference between the old guy fiddling with the cap for the fuse holder and losing it, compared with his modifying the power supply.

Nobody here can give any guarantees, but if it were me I'd go for it. I'd buy a new fuseholder in order to get the cap and put in the correct fuse. Suitable precautions are obviously wearing gloves and connecting it up, then switching it on at the wall. You'll almost certainly survive. Your house wiring likewise. The charger *probably* will too. The alternative is to dismantle it fully and check it over.

[ss]

He wouldnt be up to altering it, I am almost certain it had flat batteries and he would then check the fuse and lose it, he then got a local shop to check the batteries and he freaked out at the replacement cost and never used it again. He had 2 manual wheelchairs and he took the footrests off both and binned them. I once done a 50 mile round trip to sort his computer and he hadnt switched it on!

[ss]

Yes that will be the next option. Trying to keep costs down so I can sell cheap and give some needy person a bargain, They sell around £3-400

2nd hand, I would let it go for under £100 BUT new charger £25, new batteries approx £100 so would have to recover costs.

[tabbypurr]

So instead of buying a new charger & batteries, you reckon the OP should spend about the same amount on having a professional tell him he needs a new charger & batteries. Fantastic advice.

[tabbypurr]

If you want to send me an email with the make & model I may be able to find someone that wants it without you needing to spend on batteries or charger .

NT

[Harry Bloomfield]

[e-mail] was thinking very hard :

He could charge the batteries off the scooter, on a normal car battery charger - they are usually 2x 12v batteries. The 3v one is likely past being saved, but there is maybe hope for the 10v one.