Re: (ET) charger

["David Roden (Akron OH USA)" <roden ald net>]

On 7 Jul 2004 at 21:52, neil wrote:

>  I would leave the charger on
> until the battery voltage gets to about 13. 5 volts (with the charger
> connected).

Sorry, Neil, I think that's much too low.  They should reach 14.7 to (with 
a 
new battery) as much as 15 volts with the charger connected.  At 13.5 
volts on 
charge, they would be severely undercharged.  

If you charged flooded 12v deep cycle batteries for a day, but they still 
won't go above about 14 volts on charge,  one or more of the following is 
most 
likely true: 

        1. your charger's the wrong one for the batteries; 
        2. your charger is toast; 
        3. your batteries are shot.

If at that point they're gassing (bubbling) vigorously, most likely the 
charger's OK and you should junk the batteries.

For replacements, look for a good quality true deep cycle marine battery.  
Avoid combination starting - deep cycle types as they are not true deep 
cycle 
batteries.  Trojan, US Battery, and Interstate Workaholic are good brands 
to 
look for.


David Roden - Akron, Ohio, USA
1991 Solectria Force 144vac
1991 Ford Escort Green/EV 128vdc
1970 GE Elec-trak E15 36vdc
1974 Avco New Idea 36vdc
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