New Deep Cycle Battery Voltage is Low

[poconojoe]

Do these things need to be cycled a few times before the voltage is up to around 12 volts?
This is my second one and it's behaving like the first one I returned. The voltage won't read higher than 10+ volts even after charging. I get low readings like that even immediately after charging and later readings around 9+ volts. My charger is an automatic 10/2 amp type and I'm charging it on 10 amps.
It's a NAPA brand "Premium Marine/RV Deep Cycle" model # 8302 battery.

 

[MH Hawker]

i would say its done

 

[ondarvr]

They can check it for you. It should read 12.6 or better.

 

[poconojoe]

So, this is not normal? Right?
The strange thing is that this is the second battery. Both are bad? The first one had a 2015 date on it and this one has a 2016 date, so they were manufactured at different times.
I'm starting to doubt my charger or maybe my multimeter. I'll have to check them both out.

 

[ondarvr]

With the charger connected it should read 13.5 or more, in the 14's is where it will be when charged and connected. It will drop down to the high 12's shortly after being disconnected.

 

[spoilsofwar]

It's not normal. Could be a bad cell, or whatever you are using to measure voltage is faulty. Two bad batteries back to back is unlikely, but stranger things have happened.

 

[joeanna]

I had a 10/2 cheapy charger, I used it a few times, when it over charged and killed 1 cell:grumpy:. I got a better charger. my new battery is happy:lol:

 

[joeanna]

also, here is a nice read on battery's, a lot of good information;
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/charging_the_lead_acid_battery

 

[bruceb58]

There are a lot of portable 3 stage chargers out there. If you have an old non smart charger, throw it away and buy a new one. Doesn't take long to wipe out any savings keeping an old charger around.

 

[poconojoe]

***UPDATE!***
THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BATTERY!
Turns out my once faithful multimeter was the culprit!
I went and got the one I keep in the boat and that one read properly.
Sorry!
But let this be a lesson learned!
Thanks for all the help!

 

[bruceb58]

While you are at it, buy a new battery charger.

 

[moecarama]

I have a NAPA marine battery dedicated to my electronics and it wouldn't take a charge. I opened up the caps and all the cells were low on electrolyte; once brought up to the proper level it charged within 45minutes.