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When to Charge Battery

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auerbach
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2168 West of Toronto
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2010-12-12          175700


One-year-old Grasshopper stored for winter. Want to charge battery when needed; "smart charger" in use elsewhere. The only measurement that's easy to take is voltage.

If voltage can indicate when it needs charging, what number would be the signal? Thanks.




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When to Charge Battery

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candoarms
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 1932 North Dakota
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2010-12-12          175702


Auerbach,

Charging should take place when the voltage -- per cell - falls below 2.1 volts.

If you have a 12 volt battery, it contains 6 cells. Your meter should show no less than 12.6 volts.

If you get a reading less than 12.6 volts, the battery needs to be charged. A fully charged 6-cell lead-acid battery should have no more than 2.3 volts per cell......or 13.8 volts in a 6-cell lead-acid battery. (Do not over-charge!)

If you check the output voltage of your charger, you should see something like 13.2 volts.

Charge time varies with temperature. Generally speaking, a full charge on your battery will take about 10 hours -- that is....raising the voltage from 2.1 volts per cell to 2.2 volts per cell, will take about 10 hours.

Hope that helps.

Joel


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When to Charge Battery

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auerbach
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2168 West of Toronto
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2010-12-12          175707


Joel, those were the numbers I was seeking: 12.6 and 13.8.

About your last paragraph, surely it's not just the temp but also on battery condition and charger's output. (Incidentally, for readers who may not know, a long low-amp charge is best.)

Thanks! ....


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When to Charge Battery

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candoarms
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 1932 North Dakota
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2010-12-12          175708


Auerbach,

You're correct. Below 2.1 volts per cell, sulphates will begin to form on the plates. This will quickly deteriorate the battery. The battery will never again perform as new. This problem cannot be corrected.

When working with batteries, it's always best to connect your charger's leads to the dead battery BEFORE turning on the charger. Even the smallest spark can cause the Hydrogen gas to explode. (This happened to my brother) Battery acid is extremely dangerous.

When putting jumper cables on a dead battery, always attach the jumper cables to the dead battery first. Attach the other end of the cables to the good battery last. If there is a spark (and there always is), the bad battery could explode. Hydrogen and sparks don't mix well. Remember the Hindenburg? LOL

Charge your battery using a 2 amp trickle-charge setting. Most of the charging will take place during the first 5 hours. However, it's the last five hours of charging that will boost the battery's performance the most. Performing a full charge can take up to 18 hours.

Joel

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When to Charge Battery

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earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
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2010-12-12          175716


Joel I have a battery charger that has a desulfating program on it. Seems to work. Takes about a day. It is made by Black and Decker. ....


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