My starting battery is almost 3 years old and has been working fine this year up untl this week-end - I can get it to charge up - but it seems like it isn't holding the charge - is this the battery, the charger, or is there some other explanation - I will probably put a new battery in, but wonder if there is something else going on to make it drain down in just a matter of hours?

I would suggest you have it load tested at your local auto parts store or Wal-Mart after charging. That should answer your questions....................Al

I agree with Al,

But if you don't have a store close to you then you could charge it and disconnect it and let it sit for a day and see if it does the same thing unless you have a digital volt meter then you can disconnect the negitive battery cable and put your meter in-line and set your meter to amps and see how many mili amps you are drawing (should be no more than 0.50 ma with everything turned off)

Okay, thanks guys - I appreciate it