unidentified item in Battery box "What is it?"

[freecr]

Inside the battery box there is this unidentified item. Its wired 24V, rests in the battery hold down tray thing, has a led on it and has a coilled cord. Its cylindrical about 4 inches long. What is it? is it important/needed?

 

[Coffey1]

A picture would be helpful.

 

[MtnSnow]

Sounds like the controller for a Pulsetech solar charger/desulfator
http://www.pulsetech.net/24VPSC-PulseTech-Solar-24Volt-Battery-Charger-Desulfator-7303.aspx#

 

[fastsailor]

its a battery tester
touch the end to any battery terminal and the led should light

 

[gimpyrobb]

Might be a solargizer brain. Any solar panels on the truck?

 

[fastsailor]

TM9-2320-365-24P page 214
search battery tester

 

[freecr]

Thanks guys,

There are two tiny solar panels, maybe 3"x3", each ran to some sort of charge controller. They were disconnected prior to my picking up the truck.

Fastsailor, I searched for battery tester and came up with nothing, page 214 of my manual was van body area, we have different manuals.

As near as I can tell this item is useless at best and may even cause a phantom load so I'll probably remove it. It doesn't seem to be a common or needed item. I'll try and get a picture posted tomorrow just to make sure...

 

[Scar59]

Might be a solargizer brain. Any solar panels on the truck?

The panels use to be wired to the controller in the batt box. Sounds like the system has been de-activated.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Post some pics. If they were solargizers, they will increase the life of your batterys.

 

[ke5eua]

It's the battery tester.

 

[FloridaAKM]

My Deuce came from WRAFB with one of those attached to the roof & wired to the batterys. It keeps up the batteries when you let the truck sit for long periods of time. You might want to think about reconnecting it if it is not damaged.

 

[freecr]

pictures, and its a confirmed tester

Yep, Its a tester.

 

[freecr]

FloridaAKM, I'll be attaching a pmw solar charger soon with large enough panel(s) to do the job. Two tiny beer coaster sized panels... laugh, grumble, laugh, grumble... Whats the point. I still need to decide if it's worth the effort to go all 12v or keep the 24v.

 

[FloridaAKM]

Yep, Its a tester.View attachment 556443View attachment 556444

Yes, it is a tester; not any type of charger. That's the difference between a persons description (the OP was correct in his description) & another persons opinion of what it actually was. My opinion was dead wrong, but my exposure to alot of the MV stuff is limited to hands on & other experiences.

 

[FloridaAKM]

The simple unit that came with my truck seems to keep the parasitic drains away & the batteries topped off @ all times. Any other equipment I have that is 24v with batteries will get a solarizer to keep the batteries already to go.

I used to work for an old gentleman who loved to buy ex military gensets, trucks, equipment & put them in his yard to rent. His batteries were always dead when he needed the piece of equipment. These solarizers would have been the cats meow for his problem, but they weren't around then. The battery bill would have paid for the solarizers easily!

FloridaAKM, I'll be attaching a pmw solar charger soon with large enough panel(s) to do the job. Two tiny beer coaster sized panels... laugh, grumble, laugh, grumble... Whats the point. I still need to decide if it's worth the effort to go all 12v or keep the 24v.

 

[319]

Yep, Its a tester.View attachment 556443View attachment 556444

See page 8. http://psmag.radionerds.com/images/9/91/PS_Magazine_Issue_547_June_1998.pdf

 

[scal67]

if its the round black item, its for checking the level of the electrolyte in the lead acid batteries. level only not specific gravity.

 

[Oxyacetylene]

It's the battery tester.

Used to test the electrolyte on lead acid batteries. You test each cell individually. Mine came with AGM's so I took it out.