I think I found the problem with the battery charger: Ionic Foot Bath- Having Trouble Getting It Going..

ladylove,

I think here is the problem.  This is from the  Schumacher  website:

http://www.schumacherproducts.com/faq/?id=0004

Why doesn’t my automatic charger charge my battery?

An automatic charger is designed to power the transformer when you first plug it into a receptacle. The automatic charger needs to “see” at least 4 volts in the battery to power up the circuitry. This initializes the charge sequence. When a completely discharged battery, or one with less than 4 volts charge remaining, is attached to the charger, the charger never “sees” this battery and will not begin the charging cycle. It will also cancel out the Engine Start function. The yellow charging light will also not come on. The meter (where used) will remain in the default “100%” position.

In order to get past this mode, you can “jump start” the battery so to speak, by momentarily connecting another fully charged battery in parallel. This will allow the charger to “see” a higher initial voltage enabling it to begin the charging sequence.
NOTE: Batteries that remain lower than 4 volts state of charge are often defective or just worn out. It is always best (safer) to check the battery with a hydrometer or Schumacher tester before charging.

So according to this, since the water has 0 voltage to start with, the charger does not see it.

hope this helps. 

Sami