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Unusual Charging problems

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ISX

ISX

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I was thinking of something very fancy that you would see on mythbusters or something :lol3: I can't find much other than the eyedrop things on youtube. Not sure on how accurate one has to be to measure from 1.265-1.120.

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gassernomore

gassernomore

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Yes, you pull the caps off and test the specific gravity of the acid of each cell with a hydrometer.

Yes, you test the specific gravity of each cell. I haven't gone looking for one for ages! That is how we use to test batteries before all the electronics came into play. Check the volts, specific gravity, and put what was called a load test on it (don't think it really did that! but it looked good to the customers! ) :lmao2:And no, it doen't work if you have a sealed battery.
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gassernomore

gassernomore

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what did you have in mind to test "specific gravity"? what does the "hydrometer" look like?

It has a squeeze ball on the top, in the center was a graduated reservoir, and then the suction tube. You squeezed the ball let the fluid come in and then read what the gravity was, repeat for each cell. You did that for a 6 volt battery as well. This would only work if the battery was fully charged. Oh yes, the other high tech test was to visually look at the cells while you put the "load test" on it. If you saw any bubbles in a cell the battery was bad. It had a short in that cell.
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ISX

ISX

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Just turn your grids on and watch voltage for a load test :lol3: We got a little load tester and that is all it is, just a grid heater inside a little box that keeps you from touching it. I know the battery places have fancier ones that are the size of a desktop computer but I'm sure they use the same principles, just with bigger more precise gauges.

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Mopar1973Man

Mopar1973Man

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Hmmm... Simular to what my House inverter does to the battery bank that powers the house. The charger normal keep thing between 26.8 and 28.6 Volts (24 Volts system) but once a month I put it on Equalize Charge which jacks the voltage to 31.5 Volts and charges at a higher voltage and current rate. During this time the batteries tend to bubble and stink of sulfur gasses. After there done I load them up with distilled water and back for another month of use. Funny part is these batteries are nearly 20 years old! :wow: Still powering the house and no problems...

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Mopar1973Man

Mopar1973Man

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Well since Christmas really is kind of late here... we plan on heading down to Boise, ID or Ontario, OR to go shopping for gifts and such after the holiday rush is over. Not to mention the weather and road conditions are nasty. I've been pricing out batteries so when I'm down there I'll most likely just pick up a pair of new batteries like Wally World or something...

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Mopar1973Man

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Well I did like I would to the house batteries... I setup a battery charger at 10 Amp charge rate and left it till the amp fell low and the electrolyte was bubbling. (15.5 volt) Then switch to 2 Amp charge rate and left it for the night. (14.5 volt). Fired up this morning not a problem... Good voltage and charge rate. all day long the voltage hung at 14.3 Volts on the SG II and slightly over the 14 mark on the stock gauge. lets see how the batteries hold over night...:rolleyes2:

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NBWW

NBWW

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Here is a link to a refractometer style hydrometer for testing coolant and battery specific gravity: http://www.reichertai.com/files/brochures/1036005303.PDF I have had 2 of these since the mid 80's and they have always been extremely accurate. As of yesterday, my '06 is having a similar issue. I have only had the truck since 12-21, so haven't got past cleaning the battery posts yet. Next will be to only disconnect the grounds from each over night and check for voltage difference. HTH,

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gassernomore

gassernomore

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I noticed yesterday that my truck gauge is reading just over 14 volts but normally in never goes that high so I'll have to keep an eye on that.

Mike is useing his ScanGauge for that reading. Mine is usually at 14.1. The ScanGauge takes it from the onboard computers. Even though the OEM gauge takes it from there as well, I don't trust that gauge for my volt reading.
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LiveOak

LiveOak

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Well I did like I would to the house batteries... I setup a battery charger at 10 Amp charge rate and left it till the amp fell low and the electrolyte was bubbling. (15.5 volt) Then switch to 2 Amp charge rate and left it for the night. (14.5 volt).

Fired up this morning not a problem... Good voltage and charge rate. all day long the voltage hung at 14.3 Volts on the SG II and slightly over the 14 mark on the stock gauge.

lets see how the batteries hold over night...:rolleyes2:

Mike and for anyone else with batteries getting tired problems:

I bought a CTEK US7000 12 volt Lead-Acid Battery Charger which also conditions the battery after it charges it up.

http://www.ctek.com/EN-GB/MULTI-XS-7000.aspx?p=features

http://www.ctek.com/EN-GB/MULTI-XS-7000.aspx?p=characteristics

I put this on my OEM original truck batteries and it took the charge about 4 days to get through an entire full charge/reconditon cylce but it made a very noticable improvement in the battery starting power and I noticed the charge voltage on the electric system is a bit higher than before.

I use this charger for my fence charger batteries as well as my truck and tractor batteries. Does a great job. It cost about $114. The prices seem to have come down a little on them since I bought mine. They run about $110 now.

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