A couple of months ago, we saw the startup of a battery charger dating back to 1931, and despite the years, it actually worked quite well. But what happens if you have a similar charger gathering dust in a corner? To be honest, the more "basic" the charger, the simpler its restoration should be, and that brings us back to the Odd Tinkering channel, who received a 1970s charger in a rebellious state…
In general, a battery charger only needs a transformer, a rectifier, and a good combination of cables and clamps so it doesn't end up wrapped in flames. If we think about it for a moment, even the fuse is optional… but no one in their right mind should use chargers without some form of protection.
The charger that Odd Tinkering received for restoration is as basic as it gets. It doesn't even have a switch, and the only selectors are limited to voltage and amperage. However, that design is a benefit these days. Many smart chargers end up harming the user with their "smart" intelligence, when in reality all the battery needs is a good shock:
A 1970s Charger, Restored
Odd Tinkering estimates that the charger was manufactured in the 1970s, and it's probably of British origin (due to the type of plug and the 'British Made' on the ammeter). Opening the charger is a matter of removing all its rivets with a drill, and the first thing that catches your eye inside is the selenium rectifier with its bright blue color. Another discovery was that the charger wasn't grounded.
By far, the most satisfying part of the process is when he cleans the rust and old paint using a laser. Its cost is still prohibitive for most users… but escaping sandblasting and endless hours of sanding is a very tempting goal. Moving on to painting, Odd Tinkering decided to apply a coat of red "primer", and then finished the job with a roller. On the ammeter side, old chrome polishes easily, and the glass was just dirty.
The selectors are nothing more than metal bridges protected by plastic, but Odd Tinkering rebuilt them so they don't end up melted like the originals. A new fuse, modern cables, changing the plug to a European design, and a good dose of rivets finish the project. Personally, I would have explored the possibility of replacing that selenium rectifier with an updated option, but it works perfectly, and it looks great.
