Battery Juice?

[JCSkeeter313]

i have a large deep cycle battery that i bought end of last year. i charged it up and put it in the boat. i checked the fluid level by taking off the caps on the battery and it appeared to be somewhat low. i also checked it with the voltmeter and on my eagle finder. it was giving me a voltage of 12 volts. last year on a full charge i could get like 13.5 to 14.5 on the voltmeter and finder. i am wondering if the low fluid level is cuasing the low charge. i heard you can fill the battery with distilled water to top it off. is this the correct thing to do? is there other liquids that can be put it the battery? living in MN it did sit through a wniter but it was in a heated shop and it was off the concreate for most of the winter and on it for a month or so. can the concreate really wreck a battery like that? thanks for any info.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Battery Juice?

Yes fill with distilled water until it reaches the eye level but do not over fill. Do a full charge after filling. All Lead acid batteries should be charged at least one time a month year round or battery will be damage. The warmer it is the more offten it should be charged. A fully charged battery will read 12.6 volts. A voltage of 13.5 to 14.5 would be with the motor running and being charged be the alternator. After charging the battery may read slightly above 12.6 volts for a short time. Today all the batteries are in plastic cases and sitting on the concreate will make no difference. Before they started useing plastic there was some problem with Concreate.

 

[JB]

Re: Battery Juice?

Many 12volt lead acid batteries will show 13-13.5 volts immediately after charging and before any load is applied.<br /><br />12.6 volts of that is the actual voltage of the battery, the other 1-1.5 volts is a capacitive charge that will leak off pretty quickly and is of no use.

 

[JC1933]

Re: Battery Juice?

Goodmorning,<br /> I have a battery that droppes down to 7.5 volts over night after a recharg, is this battery shot? J,C,

 

[cuzner]

Re: Battery Juice?

jc.. sounds like its toast, it won't be good for much but maybe running a radio. Although this spring I was able to bring a frozen battery back to life with a 4 stage charger, got it to hold 12v, not good enough for starting so I gave it away.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[JC1933]

Re: Battery Juice?

Thanks verry mutch, cuzner. J,C,

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: Battery Juice?

What did they use before plastic and what did the concrete do?

 

[captharv]

Re: Battery Juice?

You want to charge the battery before filling. If you fill first, the electrolyte expands with charging.<br />JC: yes.<br />Captharv

 

[blacktip18]

Re: Battery Juice?

Yes concrete will not only drain, but in time kill the battery. Materials have changed but from what I understand the principle still applies. Put your batteries up on a work bench or shelf.

 

[Realgun]

Re: Battery Juice?

Nope another MYTH about Batteries. Store it on the floor out of the way so when you standup you don't knock the battery off a shelf and get hurt or splashed!

 

[Perfidiajoe]

Re: Battery Juice?

If you charge before refilling, make sure the fluid covers at least the plates, if it is too low, & you buckle the plates, the battery's junk. As for concrete, from every battery manufacturer I spoken with, which is several, it makes no difference, but if it makes you happy, put it on a couple of 2x4's, & it makes it easier to pick up than flat on the ground. Good Luck, Joe