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Batteries aint Batteries Sol

Submitted: Thursday, Nov 05, 2009 at 12:27

Dennis Ellery

I was always under the impression that flooded lead acid batteries needed to be charged at the same voltages (around 14.5 to 14.8 volts) and so when I fitted the deep cycle to my 4WD I selected a flooded battery.

I then had a problem losing electrolyte from the deep cycle battery (when using a solar cell or battery charger).

The starter (OEM) would stand up to about 15 volts before vigorous gassing.
The deep cycle (Exide - USA manufactured) boils like a pot of soup at 14.3 volts (25 deg c).

I am fortunate enough to have a battery charger and a solar regulator that have adjustable charging voltages, which are both now set to 13.9 volts, which solves the gassing problem.
ThreadID: 73542 Replies: 3
Views: 651 FollowUps: 3
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AnswerID: 390087   Submitted: Thursday, Nov 05, 2009 at 14:40

Member - 1/2A replied:

Hi Dennis
Are you sure your instrument is reading the correct voltage?
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FollowupID: 657874   Submitted: Thursday, Nov 05, 2009 at 17:44

Racey posted:

I agree with Dennis something is not right.
FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 658179   Submitted: Saturday, Nov 07, 2009 at 23:00

Dennis Ellery posted:

There is no doubt about the voltmetres accuracy
FollowUp 2 of 2
AnswerID: 390115   Submitted: Thursday, Nov 05, 2009 at 17:55

Member - Mike DID replied:

For fast charging, the battery voltage is raised up to the Absorption voltage (around 14.4 volts), but to avoid damage, the voltage MUST be reduced to the Float voltage (around 13.6 volts) when the battery approaches full charge.

You can fully charge a battery by never going higher than the Float Voltage, but it'll take longer to reach full charge.

This applies to ALL Lead Acid batteries Starting or DeepCycle, Wetcell or AGM or Gel.
Mike R
Reply 2 of 3
FollowupID: 658181   Submitted: Saturday, Nov 07, 2009 at 23:07

Dennis Ellery posted:

That's common knowledge Mike - I just made the observation that the two flooded batteries, under the same conditions and state of charge, gas at substantially different voltages.
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 390426   Submitted: Saturday, Nov 07, 2009 at 23:25

Lex M (Brisbane) replied:

Wouldn't this indicate that the charge CURRENT is too high for the deep cycle battery. What size charger and what size battery?
Cheers

Lex M
Reply 3 of 3

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