Charging Batts in Storage

[Crestliner2007]

When I pulled my batteries (2) out of my boat to store in the basement, I charged them full with a 15 amp charger. I repeated this in Dec. - just prior to the holidays. No problem. I just put the charger on them again yesterday, wherein my problem has occured. The first battery is my starting battery which is sealed. Charged right up to snuff in less than an hour. The second is a much larger deep cycle battery - my trolling motor battery. I always check the water level on this battery prior to charging. It was fine, so after the first battery was charged, I put the charger on this one. I'm using a Sears charger with deep cycle or auto start features (not a cheap charger!). When you first put it on, the indicator goes up to the voltage needed to be put in....then gradually goes down to zero as the charge cycle is completed. When completed, the blinking light goes solid. Well folks, it's still blinking! After over 24 hrs. on the charger! What gives?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Charging Batts in Storage

could have dropped that low. or could have a bad cell. have it check at the auto parts store.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Charging Batts in Storage

You said at first the voltage goes to where it needed to charge then goes to 0. Sounds more like you are talking about the amps to charge. The voltage at the battery should continue to go up as long as the battery is charging.
A big group 27 style battery can take a long time to charge. Even with a 15 amp charger the way the battery charges it will taper to zero amps so near the end of the charge can take a long time to top off.

Make sure you have the charger set to the correct type battery. If it is a 3 stage charger then it is not that uncommon for the charger to not turn on the charge complete light. However the amperage should be zero or very near zero.

 

[njlarry]

Re: Charging Batts in Storage

After 24 hrs it ought to be charged. What is the exact voltage reading before and after charging?

 

[Crestliner2007]

Re: Charging Batts in Storage

Correct Boatist - the meter or gauge registers amps....not volts. I had been charging it on the 15 amp, deep cycle setting for 24 hrs.. But last night I switched it to the 2 amp trickle charge and left it overnight. Today, presto! It's back up to snuff as before!? Not sure just why the 15 amp setting wouldn't charge it, but the 2 amp setting did? Batteries can be so darn confusing sometimes! THANKS for all your feedback on this.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Charging Batts in Storage

The trickle charger is likely a manual setting not a automatic setting. A automatic setting will regulate the voltage to a certain voltage like 14.4 volts. It will not go above that voltage so the final stage of the charge can take a long time or maybe never complete.

The manual Trickle charger is likely not regulated but will supply about 2 amps to a much higher voltage. This will supply more current at the end of the charge because it has no regulator to limit the voltage. Danger in this type charger is it can way over charge the battery if left on too long.

In the 15 amp automatic setting even thou the charge complete light did not come on the zero or near zero amps also say fully charged.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Charging Batts in Storage

I have had problems charging deep cycle sealed batteries with electronically controlled chargers, and I'm not sure as to the cause. It seems you can charge to a point and then it seems to go the other way and will never come up to full charge. Seems temp has something to do with it. The longer it's charging, the more prone it is to do this.

I have not dwelt into the subject to understand what is going on nor why.

So If I encounter that problem, I just unhook the charger, let the battery cool overnight and the next day I can top it off and immediately disconnect the charger.

A little 1 amp trickle charger connected to each battery separately (2 chargers) will keep your batteries ready at all times.....once you get them pumped back up (by a regular charger) ....if you are in a hurry to use them again.

Mark

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Charging Batts in Storage

Stop charging with 15 amp chargers!!!! Ahhh!!!! That is really not good for batteries!!!!!!! A good battery that hasn't been run down should need only 2 amps to get it back up to snuff!! Even if its really almost dead, 2 can do it, it just takes time. It's also very easy on the battery! 15 amps gets the job done quicker, yea, to the detriment of battery life!!!

Guys, use the LOWEST POSSIBLE CHARGE AMPERAGE!!!!!