John Vance Posted June 26, 2017 Report Share Posted June 26, 2017 My CTEK 4.3 charger often displays an error indication when I arrive at my hanger before a flight. I connect the negative side to the lower cowl bracket, which appears to provide an acceptable ground. I've noticed that the connection to the positive battery terminal, through the wire that FD provides for that purpose at the lower cowl, seems a little touchy. A slight repositioning of the charger clamp on the wire helps, or sometimes not. I've tried using contact cleaner, but that doesn't seem to make a difference. Has anyone else experienced a similar problem and found a solution? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted June 26, 2017 Report Share Posted June 26, 2017 Use the muffler for a better ground. The metal bracket may have paint on it and the engine a direct ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vance Posted June 26, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2017 I've tested both the muffler and the bracket with my multimeter and the bracket is actually better. There's no paint on the surface I clamp to, and I keep it clean. The problem seems to be the wire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted June 26, 2017 Report Share Posted June 26, 2017 Have you put a wrench on the battery terminals? Put a wrench on all the other grounds in the engine compartment. There are 4. They may be hand tight, but wrench lose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vance Posted June 26, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2017 I replaced the battery about 30 operating hours ago, so it was good at that time. It's been about that long since I've checked the grounds, so I should probably check all of these again. When I connect the charger to the wire, sometimes it doesn't start going through the steps until I reposition it on the wire or wiggle it. Yesterday when I arrived it was stuck on step 1 with an error light. I used contact cleaner on the wire and bracket and reconnected, no luck. So I twisted the clamp on the wire a little, and it started walking through the steps nicely. I wondered if there might be some surface corrosion and whether a dab of conducting grease might help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted June 27, 2017 Report Share Posted June 27, 2017 Possible corrosion and or lose wire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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