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Trickle charger earth leakage

Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2020 8:54 am
by Donovan D
I noticed that I have some earth leakage while working on the beetle over the weekend.
Currently there is a OptiMate trickle charger connected to the battery on the beetle. The negative side of the battery is connected to the beetle body.
The positive to the starter has been removed and the trickle charger is connected with the clamps to the terminals, negative and positive.

While doing some work on the rear of the beetle I noticed that there is the slightest of 'shock', if I can even call it that, when touching the wheel studs. It is really very very faint but I can just feel it if I lightly touch it, and when touching I need to almost not touch it to feel it.
If I touch the studs normally or any other part of the beetle I can not feel it. I swopped out the charger with the one on my bus and getting the same result.

I did read somewhere that there is an intentional earth leakage on some devices with the two point plugs.
What are your thoughts on this, is this normal for trickle chargers or do I have a bigger problem ?

Re: Trickle charger earth leakage

Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2020 11:06 am
by retrovan
It would be the 12v from the charger that you are feeling.

The transformers are connected to the output so even if you have the one leg off, the other leg will have leakage to earth.

Put you volt meter on DC and measure it.

If you have 12 V Dc then you OK, if you have 110V Ac , then you have and wiring problem.

Herman

Re: Trickle charger earth leakage

Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2020 5:48 pm
by Donovan D
Charger plugged in and on, voltmeter connected to the negative of battery. Only the beetle earth strap is connected to body. Not too sure what Im looking at but seems there is a slight jump if I touch the probe and the actual garage floor.

https://youtu.be/r2N7KjHdCTo

Re: Trickle charger earth leakage

Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2020 8:00 pm
by retrovan
Thats perfectly normal as its the transformer via the capacitor through you to garage floor.

No need for concern.

Herman

Re: Trickle charger earth leakage

Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2020 11:43 pm
by Tony Z
I thought about this for a while.
I suspect you might have a slight earth leakage in the house or in that plug which is causing this.
Try run an extension lead from a plug on the other side of the house and see if you still have this issue.

OR put the charger on a rubber mat in the car and lift the wires so no wire (220V side too) touches the car.


BTW, you should always disconnect the negative battery lead first and reconnect it last. That way you cannot get shocked. The car is negative, so if you touch the negative battery terminal while touching the car, nothing will happen to you. But if you hold the positive terminal while touching the car, current can flow through you giving you a nasty bite.

Re: Trickle charger earth leakage

Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2020 6:48 am
by Donovan D
Tony Z wrote: Tue Mar 10, 2020 11:43 pm I thought about this for a while.
I suspect you might have a slight earth leakage in the house or in that plug which is causing this.
Try run an extension lead from a plug on the other side of the house and see if you still have this issue.

OR put the charger on a rubber mat in the car and lift the wires so no wire (220V side too) touches the car.
Will give it a go and see what happens.