New Batteries won't fully charge

06Rinker27006Rinker270 Member Posts: 1,277 ✭✭✭
edited November 2015 in Generator Discussions
Been two weeks since I was at boat, noticed when I left before I was getting a slow blink which means they are at low charge.  Batteries are new from April 2015.  I have been on shore power the entire time.  Battery charger breaker is on.  I am at 120 AC volts.  What is the proper steps to take to find out if it's the batteries or the charger?

The meter rest at 0 DC AMPERS.  Does it only read when something is pulling?

thank you 


Patrick
06 Rinker 270

Comments

  • frenchshipfrenchship Member Posts: 1,079 ✭✭✭
    Best way is to use a hydrometer and check the specific gravity of each cells, this will tell you exactly the condition of the battery's 
  • frenchshipfrenchship Member Posts: 1,079 ✭✭✭
    Your 13volts is it with the charger on or off. A fully charge battery at rest after being charge should be around 12.7~12.8 volts 
  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Try turning off the charger then back on and see what happens on the meter. 
  • 06Rinker27006Rinker270 Member Posts: 1,277 ✭✭✭
    edited November 2015
    I will try a hydrometer.  Excuse my ignorance, same thing you use as a Brewer?

    13 volts is on shore power.  I'll see what it reads when I disconnect.

    I shut off the breaker for the battery charger and turned back on, same thing.
    Patrick
    06 Rinker 270
  • MarkBMarkB Member Posts: 3,960 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Are you running a load off batteries. If you are and the charger isn't showing any amps I'd be suspect of the charger.  However, having said that 95% of the time it's the battery.

    Boat Name: King Kong

    "Boat + Water = Fun"

  • frenchshipfrenchship Member Posts: 1,079 ✭✭✭
    Similar to the one used by the Brewer as it measure the specific gravity of battery electrolytes
     But do used one for battries (acid) the are available at any auto stores and follow the instructions. Do not take a measurement when the battery is just out of the charger or with the charger on you will get a false reading let the battery rest for a few hours before using it

  • 06Rinker27006Rinker270 Member Posts: 1,277 ✭✭✭
    edited November 2015
    @MarkB At shore power I have the fridge on and that's it.  Is this what you mean?

    When I turn on the blower I see the meter go up to 5.  Guessing it shows only when the DC is at load.  Is this correct?

    @frenchship is this right?



    How can batteries be bad after 6 months? 
    Patrick
    06 Rinker 270
  • frenchshipfrenchship Member Posts: 1,079 ✭✭✭
    You have the right tool. Check each cell and note the reading the should be all in the green section with not much difference. Be careful it is an acid and can damage clothing and other materials. As far as batteries being bad after 6 months it is rare. By the way did you check the level of electrolyte in each cell. The level is important if too low and below the plates it will damage the battery. 
  • 212rowboat212rowboat Member Posts: 2,591 ✭✭✭✭✭
    standing charge is 12.7 on healthy batteries, unassisted... 

    full voltage charge on a battery that's lost some juice is 14.5vdc on lead acid, but as high as 15.5vdc on gels/glass... 

    here is where it gets tricky:  smart chargers will sense the standing charge and adjust what it sends to it... a lead acid battery only needs 13vdc to maintain charge, 13.5vdc is most common, though- depending on how smart it is... :smile: 

    I don't think you have a problem, man. 


  • MarkBMarkB Member Posts: 3,960 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The fridge switches to 110V automatically when on shore power so no load on the batteries. 

    If the charger is pushing out 5 amps when the blower is on then I'm pretty sure it is working.

    What is your voltage without the shore power on?

    Boat Name: King Kong

    "Boat + Water = Fun"

  • Dream_InnDream_Inn Member, Moderator Posts: 7,552 mod
    You definitely do not have any problems.  What you are stating seems consistent with what I have seen with the same charger (I now have a different charger, but still have that one on my thruster battery).

    Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express

  • 06Rinker27006Rinker270 Member Posts: 1,277 ✭✭✭
    edited November 2015
    Thank you guys.

    When I disconnect batteries next Tuesday I will test them with hydrometer and check electrolytes level.  

    At beginning of season the charger showed full power(fast blink).  What would cause it to not show that anymore if all is ok?  

    I disconnected from shore power and I was at 12.8.  Opened and closed the engine hatch and ran the blower for 4 minutes.  I am at 12.1-12.2.

    Took two cranks(maybe because it dropped to below 40F last night?),started engine and ran now I am at 13.6 - 13.8 with engine on.

    Turned off engine, not connected to shore power let sit for 50 minutes with only the fridge pulling and it dropped to 12.5.  Immediately after I shut off engine it was 12.9 for 15-20 minutes.

    Patrick
    06 Rinker 270
  • 06Rinker27006Rinker270 Member Posts: 1,277 ✭✭✭
    Is it possible I am leaving the battery switch on the wrong battery?  I leave it on #1 which I believe is the engine/crank.  Maybe do #2?  Does the charger trickle to both batteries to keep them charged?
    Patrick
    06 Rinker 270
  • MarkBMarkB Member Posts: 3,960 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The charger should not be wired through the switch. It should charge no matter what.

    Boat Name: King Kong

    "Boat + Water = Fun"

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