Re: charging marine batts
Lots of factors here:<br /><br />>many methods to charging batteries, so I'll go through the best and simplest one.<br />>read "battery maintenance and safety" in your manual (dangerous and hazardous)<br />>top up the electrolyte level with water if needed<br />>reinstall the caps<br />>charge battery in a well vented area, at a rate of 1% of CCA or less (I prefer 2-3 amps max, as I leave it on overnight)<br />>if battery gets warm to touch, reduce rate<br />>take a hydrometer reading every hour or so the following morning, using the cheapest hydrometer you can find. (be sure to shut the charger off before taking readings, to reduce spark explosions)<br />>when you have taken 3 consecutive readings an hour apart and have seen no increase in measurement.....you are fully charged.<br /> <br />*If the battery does not perform up to spec at this point....its bad.<br /><br />*A cheap "fast charger" will NEVER fully charge a battery. It will only reached 75%, no matter how long you leave it on! You must have a low charge rate to reach 100% charge. A cheap "trickle charger" is your best friend..... <br />If you have not fully charged your batteries in the past (only a partial charge) their life will be reduced. This may give reason to pulling out the old trickle charger out of the closet. They were typically a low rate charger and more suited for this method than a fast charger. It is sometimes possible to rejuvenate an abused battery using this method.<br />
