I just tried to shave and my electric shaver ran out of juice quick... hm... I just charged it the other day!

Started my electric toothbrush, and the same thing. I charged both of these things for hours, just a few days ago... There's a GFI outlet in the bathroom, and this is an old building (from the 1950s). I don't think both these newer devices are loosing their ability to hold a charge simultaneously. The outlet charges them, the lights light up and the shaver works for about 60 seconds after charging for awhile. What's going on?

Thanks

 

I just tried to shave and my electric shaver ran out of juice quick... hm... I just charged it the other day!

Started my electric toothbrush, and the same thing. I charged both of these things for hours, just a few days ago... There's a GFI outlet in the bathroom, and this is an old building (from the 1950s). I don't think both these newer devices are loosing their ability to hold a charge simultaneously. The outlet charges them, the lights light up and the shaver works for about 60 seconds after charging for awhile. What's going on?

Thanks

Have you tried a different outlet just to be sure it's not the batteries? What happens when you plug in a lamp, etc into the outlet, does it work?

 

could be a bad outlet. I've had outlets that were old and the spring action that holds the blades in gets weak and doesn't make good contact. I also know that my laptop charger has an LED thats apparently fed by a cap because it stays on ~5sec after I unplug it. I guess its conceivable that your devices could be getting intermittent connection often enough to keep the LED on, but not continuous enough to charge the battery.

 

I'm charging the devices on another outlet now to see what happens.

When I plug them into the bad outlet, their charge lights illuminate so they get some current at least.... but the batteries run down very quick, like they're not charging much.

 

Update: the 2 devices charge fine on other outlets. Is the GFI outlet in the bathroom was was charging the devices, but only slightly, dangerous?

 

Hello,

It can be that the output in the bathroom is power limited.
There can be a 1:1 transformer in it for a couple of watts.
Just enough to run a classic electrical razor.

Bertus

 

Would they put a GFI on such a thing?

Thanks Bertus
Josh

 

Have you pressed the reset button yet?

 

Yeah I just cycled it... but the charge light always came on, on the razor and toothbrush, so I don't think it's just a matter of it being in test.

 

A Kill-a-watt device (less than $20) could tell you how much current is flowing into your razor.

Of course, you could always use multimeter, too. Connecting it in series between the outlet and one leg of the charger would let you see how much current is flowing into your device. Of course, don't do this without the charger (by just attaching your multimeter to hot and neutral) or you'll - at best - blow the fuse on your multimeter.

Personally, just thinking about mains makes the hair on my neck stand up, so I'd either use the Kill-a-watt or just call an electrician.

 

Sometimes the receptacle contacts lose their spring tension. Does the plug seem to be loose when plugged in?