Benton BX-1(M), BX-2, BX-4, BX-5 Multi-Stage Automatic Battery Chargers

**Adam Stander** · 2013/12/19, 06:50 AM

Thank you very much FD.
I will do that.
You're help is much appreciated.

**bigboy529** · 2013/12/19, 10:51 AM

Just want to thank FD for the great and fast service. Ordered a BX2 charger Tuesday afternoon or more like early evening, only paid the money around 6 PM. Courier rocked up early this morning with my package.

Thank you Eric, only problem I have now is that all batteries are full so have to drain the deep cycle a bit to properly try out the charger.

P.S Eggie said the BX2 should be able to charge a 7.2 Ah lead crystal battery no problem because it can take a fast charge, but he won't recommend trying to charge any other type 7.2 Ah battery because it will almost certainly be damaged.

**Family_Dog** · 2013/12/19, 08:02 PM

Pleasure! Glad it was delivered so promptly - I always get nervous when sending parcels this time of the year.

Keep an eye on the 7A batteries and let us know what happened - the battery should draw what it needs from the charger, the charger will never "force" amps into the battery so theoretically there should not really be a problem.

-F_D

**DirtBasher** · 2013/12/19, 09:14 PM

Originally Posted by Family_Dog

Adam, the unit is not normally meant to be serviced, although we have done this because of a Mode switch problem. (The contacts are covered with some anti-corrosion stuff which could prevent correct operation, we used to spray them with a good Contact Cleaner (Kontakt60) but we have since obtained switches so we now replace them).

We made our own triangular tool to open the charger from a Philips screwdriver as a donor.

Now it might be a pica-fuse (small little fuse mounted directly on the PCB - can't remember the value) but it could also be a SCR.

You're welcome to send it to us after January 14th when we reopen and we'll take a look at it.

-F_D

Just done this with mine, after no luck with the selection switch, I squirted electronic lubricant in the switch, fiddled with it a bit and then it was working beautifully again , I replaced the funny screws with normal star headed screws.

**Adam Stander** · 2013/12/20, 07:22 AM

Dirtbasher, I hope it's such a small fault only, but hearing things like "pica- fuse on PCB or SCR" and taking my electronics experience into considiration I should perhaps leave it for the big dogs.

**DirtBasher** · 2013/12/20, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by Adam Stander

Dirtbasher, I hope it's such a small fault only, but hearing things like "pica- fuse on PCB or SCR" and taking my electronics experience into considiration I should perhaps leave it for the big dogs.

Its a common micro switch problem , this one however is a non standard micro switch, other wise i would have replaced it with a superior quality switch.

It's a cheap charger that most people would have chucked in the bin , at least I've done my duty recycling it be useful again , when I find a replacement switch I will modify the unit so it NEVER give me issues again.

**Christodeb** · 2014/01/03, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by Adam Stander

FD
I have a BX2 bought about 4 years ago if I remember correctly.
Not done through you though.
The mode button has given me problems nearly from the start (should have sorted it then but didn't) in that it doesn't move from one function to the other with every click.
More like every 4th or 5th click.
Not such a big problem as it was actually only used now and again to charge a battery and the functions a nice to have.

But, now it's stopped working completely. The power light is on, but connected to a battery it does nothing at all.
I thought about opening the unit to check for a blown fuse perhaps, but it has some odd screw heads that seems do not want opening.

Any idea of where I can look for the fault? Fuse perhaps?
Where can I have it looked at? Serviced?

My BX2 has a similar problem. Only the yellow light remains on, and it never moves to any other settings when pressing the mode button. When I keep the mode button depressed it moves over to the "power supply" setting.

**Family_Dog** · 2014/01/03, 08:20 PM

In practically all these cases, the fault lies with the Mode button. It seems as though the contacts were sprayed with some anti-corrosion gunk which sometimes causes problems through intermittent connection. We have pointed this out to Benton and we have spare contacts in stock, we simply replace them.

Alternatively, if you get a purpose-made contact cleaner (Servisol or Kontakt 60), you can do this yourself. Open the charger carefully (obviously disconnected from the mains - leave it disconnected for a while before opening), apply a liberal spray of CC and then carefully reassemble. The tool for opening the charger is home-made.

-F_D

**Greenhorn** · 2014/01/10, 09:21 AM

In layman terms what is the difference between the old BX-1 and the BX-1 (Pro) ?

**Adam Stander** · 2014/01/10, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by Family_Dog

You're welcome to send it to us after January 14th when we reopen and we'll take a look at it.
-F_D

FD how would you like me to send it to you?
Nobody in Pta I presume?

**BigBear** · 2014/01/10, 02:55 PM

BX-1 and BX-2 working great no complaints TX. FD.

Another battery to recover tonight for a lil Honda thats been standing...
Supply mode and wait let it do its thing !

**Family_Dog** · 2014/01/10, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by Adam Stander

FD how would you like me to send it to you?
Nobody in Pta I presume?

Adam, if by Courier:

REPCOM
19 Knowles St
Wilkoppies
Klerksdorp
2571

Or if by post:

REPCOM
PO Box 6118
Flamwood
2572

-F_D

**Christodeb** · 2014/01/11, 09:19 AM

Originally Posted by Family_Dog

In practically all these cases, the fault lies with the Mode button. It seems as though the contacts were sprayed with some anti-corrosion gunk which sometimes causes problems through intermittent connection. We have pointed this out to Benton and we have spare contacts in stock, we simply replace them.

Alternatively, if you get a purpose-made contact cleaner (Servisol or Kontakt 60), you can do this yourself. Open the charger carefully (obviously disconnected from the mains - leave it disconnected for a while before opening), apply a liberal spray of CC and then carefully reassemble. The tool for opening the charger is home-made.

-F_D

Thank you very much for the feedback. Would it be possible for me to bring the charger to you some time?

**Family_Dog** · 2014/01/11, 03:24 PM

Christo, no problem. We re-open on Tuesday but we are in the Klerksdorp phone book.

-F_D

**Christodeb** · 2014/01/11, 03:31 PM

Thanks I appreciate it.

**Adam Stander** · 2014/01/15, 03:44 PM

Hi FD, sent my parcel to you today.
I'll send you a pm with the tracking nr as well.
Regards

**Family_Dog** · 2014/01/15, 04:57 PM

Smart, will let you know what we find.

-F_D

**TheWall** · 2014/01/21, 08:56 AM

Hi,

Has anyone tried charging the alarm batteries with the BX-2 yet?

Want the BX-2 but also need to charge alarm batteries...
So need to keep 105ah deep cycle charged (Spare battery) Would like to keep this one connected to be fully charged if there is power failures.
Need to charge the 105ah deep cycle in the car before trips.