Charging a battery

[WebbieWorks]

Hey All,

I am trying to charge a battery that came with a boat I bought. I was told to put water in the holes and let the charger sit for 4-5 hrs and the water should start bubbling. I am not seeing anything. I tried to hook my trolling motor up to it to see if it had charge but I got nothing.

Can anyone look at the images and tell me if I have this charger on the right setting and if the 6 "cell" plugs need to be opened?

I would greatly appreciate any information on this.

 

[WebbieWorks]

Re: Charging a battery

Also, a buddy of mine suggested I have 3 batteries. 1 for the motor, pump, and lights, and 2 just for the trolling motor. 1 battery has both + and - on it, but the other just has wire running from - to + of other battery. Is this needed?

I made a diagram in case I didnt explain it right.

 

[Ike-110722]

Re: Charging a battery

That is an old charger. It says automatic but it isn't. That old one will fry a battery if you leave it on too long. You need a newer smart charger that has a computer chip. They sense the state of the battery and adjust the charging rate and shut off when the battery is charged. They will also tell you if it is a bad battery. They aren't expensive. You can get them almost any where, Sears, K-Mart, Wal-mart, Home Depot, and so on. I have one rated at 10 amps that I bought at Wal-mart for $29.95. Of course there are much more expensive ones if you want them.

If the water is vigorously bubbling you are overcharging the battery. That means something is wrong with the charger. If you do not see bubbles or the bubbles are very small then everything is ok. I would take that to any auto store or auto shop and they will test the battery for you and tell you if it is any good.

You need a starting battery for starting the engine and running instruments and Nav lights. If you use it for running the trolling motor it will drain it fast and you will be stuck, unable to start your engine.

You need a separate deep cycle battery for the trolling motor. From your diagram I believe the trolling motor is 24 volts because those two batteries are in series ( 12 volts + 12 volts = 24 volts.

you need to read up on batteries and DC voltage. It si not rocket science. If you can use your cell phone you can understand this.

Batteries Everything You Need to know http://newboatbuilders.com/docs/BatteriesEverything.pdf
More on DC and Batteries http://newboatbuilders.com/pages/electricity1.html

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Charging a battery

On the first thing , I would have it load tested, most any place that sells battery's can and will do a free test. That will take the guess work out of it
And as far as the 2 battery's, that depends on the type of trolling motor some are 12 volt , some are 24 volt and some use both voltages.

 

[WebbieWorks]

Re: Charging a battery

I appreciate your reply. Would you suggest this charger?

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Schumacher-SpeedCharge-12-Amp-Battery-Charger/13005744

I was told to leave that old charger on all night so I guess I better go unplug it, its been running since about 3pm, so thats 9 hrs.

and the trolling motor I have is 24 volt.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Charging a battery

I am curious where you bought that battery. That battery is used a lot by military vehicles.

Once the battery starts bubbling, turn off the charger and let the battery sit for a few hours. Measure the voltage with a digital voltmeter. It should measure close to 12.6V. If it is much lower than that, you have one or more bad cells and the battery is toast.

That charger looks good as long as its a multistage charger.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: Charging a battery

I am curious where you bought that battery. That battery is used a lot by military vehicles.

Once the battery starts bubbling, turn off the charger and let the battery sit for a few hours. Measure the voltage with a digital voltmeter. It should measure close to 12.6V. If it is much lower than that, you have one or more bad cells and the battery is toast.

That charger looks good as long as its a multistage charger.

LOL.... The battery has NSN (Navy Stock Number) on it. Manufactured in April 2000 (that's 12 years old). I would guess it's day has come and gone, possibly.

Get it tested to be sure, as it may have some life left in it. But it may be time to consider a new battery, too.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Charging a battery

The entire system needs to be updated.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Charging a battery

That charger should be fine , personally I get one thats marine rated just because I often have to leave one hooked up outside in wet conditions.

 

[Davem3]

Re: Charging a battery

i use this charger : http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02871222000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

on this battery: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02827524000P?prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3

Worth every penny. It is only 12 volts, so you could series them for 24V, but on 12V, i was out for 10 solid hours and still had 80~85% charge left.
I use a Minn Kota 50LB thrust motor,, lights, Hummingbird FF, and Pioneer stereo constantly............

season 3 is upon me, still going strong, just always watch the water levels in the battery, peeps have told me theirs have lasted 5 to 8 years easily

 

[WebbieWorks]

Re: Charging a battery

I appreciate everyones replies. The battery came with the boat when I bought. I guess its just time to break down and buy 2 more batteries. I have one already new one, but according to everyone I talk to I should have 3 to be safe.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Charging a battery

the 6TM batteries are huge and were the state of art for batteries 35 years ago when the military put the 6TM into the specs for all their equipment. battery technology has come a long way since then. plus with that battery being 12 years old, it is most likely sulfated, which means it wont take a charge.

I would buy new batteries. however since we dont know what the battery is in, we cant make any suggestions.

 

[WebbieWorks]

Re: Charging a battery

The batteries are going into a 14ft Rawhide fiberglass boat with 80hp Mercury. I have motor, lights and trolling motor that is going to be using batteries.

And I just want to say Thank You to everyone on this forum, You all are the best help I have found and really appreciate everyones in put as this is my first boat.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Charging a battery

Your diagram for the 24 volt system is wrong. The black wire connecting the two batteries is fine. It is the extension that is wrong. That needs to come from the unused terminal on the other battery. To feed the trolling motor you use the red wire and black wire from what is currently the unused terminal.