Lead Acid Deep Cycle Batteries.........

Hope you guys dont mind me continuing to bleed you for info......just trying to cover all angle is all.

The deep cycle battery i bought is a lead acid(obvious) and I am wondering if these are generally well vented enuf without removing the caps, when have 3 stage charger permanently across the battery. For example when the extra charge is goiing in when fridge compressor not running. OR am I better off just charging up(caps off) and connect battery once generator closes down??

***Looking forward to the day when i can help someone out***
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Reply By: Roughasguts - Saturday, Jan 29, 2011 at 13:58

Saturday, Jan 29, 2011 at 13:58
I just leave the caps off then no mess. Just think of the battery charging on a truck or boat alternator, caps are on then.

The deep cycle lead acid in me caravan is sealed so theres another example.

But when charging it's good to see if all the cells are bubbling to make sure you haven't a dead cell, but then put the caps back on.

Cheers
AnswerID: 443425

Follow Up By: kevmac....(WA) - Saturday, Jan 29, 2011 at 14:09

Saturday, Jan 29, 2011 at 14:09
thx rough..................... yeah thats true i guess on all counts ......hahaha luv ya name too
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FollowupID: 715493

Follow Up By: kevmac....(WA) - Saturday, Jan 29, 2011 at 18:48

Saturday, Jan 29, 2011 at 18:48
thx to ( i presume the moderators) for the link to the article on batteries ..........looks like could be quite helpful
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FollowupID: 715521

Reply By: redeye141 - Saturday, Jan 29, 2011 at 15:12

Saturday, Jan 29, 2011 at 15:12
Hi Kevmac.

If you are using the fridge full time when charging I would put the charger on constant voltage setting.

The three stage charger will get its tits in a tangle when ever the fridge turns on and then off again. Only use the three stage when there is a battery only

Redeye
AnswerID: 443433

Follow Up By: kevmac....(WA) - Saturday, Jan 29, 2011 at 19:04

Saturday, Jan 29, 2011 at 19:04
mine is an auto 3 stage charger no switching, so presume once battery comes up it just floats it or as everyone suggests doing, it goes into power supply mode by senssing battery voltage.............is this harmful to anything..........charger dident seem to over heat last trip out
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FollowupID: 715524

Reply By: Member - Bruce C (NSW) - Sunday, Jan 30, 2011 at 14:53

Sunday, Jan 30, 2011 at 14:53
Hi Kevmac,
If you have 240 available run your frig off that as well while you are charging your batteries. This will bring your batteries up quicker and ensure your frig is getting enough power at the same time.

Batteries placed in vehicles don't have their caps removed while they are charging so why remove them when charging with a 240 volt charger.

I have often removed them while charging with a 240 volt battery charger but when you think of it vehicle batteries never have their caps removed when being charged from an alternator.

These are just my thoughts, someone may give us a very good reason for removing the caps during the charging phase. I know all about the gas generated and all that, have even seen a couple of batteries blow up because someone became careless or was not aware how dangerous it is.

Maybe there is the reason, that when they blow they allow gas to expand more quickly out through the open top and so leave the battery in one piece. I think the rate of expansion of the exploding gasses would be too great to be negated by the small opening provided by the caps being removed.
Regards, Bruce.
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restless and lost on a track that I know. HL.

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AnswerID: 443538

Follow Up By: kevmac....(WA) - Sunday, Jan 30, 2011 at 18:56

Sunday, Jan 30, 2011 at 18:56
as soon as i get my invertor generator, i will be charging battery seperately and running fridge at same time.................until that happens i have to float batt wth 3 stage charger, as rectfier for fridge doesnt like the instability of my GMC 750w 2stroke gennie
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FollowupID: 715646

Follow Up By: greybeard - Sunday, Jan 30, 2011 at 20:42

Sunday, Jan 30, 2011 at 20:42
stick a 100W light on the 240v side of the GMC. it calms it down.
i ran the fridge of 240 from the gmc while using the 3 stage charger on the batteries.
ymmv and for those that feel inclined to comment on the gmc, yes I have worked out it is cheap.
these days i tend to run solar and big batteries in camper and as a 2nd vehicle battery and ussually rely on vehicle charging.

i don't bother removing battery caps when i charge either. i'll check acid levels every few months but generally leave things alone.
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FollowupID: 715653

Follow Up By: kevmac....(WA) - Monday, Jan 31, 2011 at 23:57

Monday, Jan 31, 2011 at 23:57
so damn hard to find a 100watt incandescant globe...............especially when they aint allowed to sell em lol.............time to bite my group of friends i guess and wait for one of em to have a 100w idea and grab the globe above their head lol
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FollowupID: 715789

Follow Up By: greybeard - Tuesday, Feb 01, 2011 at 00:21

Tuesday, Feb 01, 2011 at 00:21
i'm using a portable spotlight. mind you i've had it for a couple of years now so don't know if they are still available. i got mine from bunnings
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FollowupID: 715791

Follow Up By: kevmac....(WA) - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2011 at 00:05

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2011 at 00:05
hey greybeard,

suddenly realised i have a 150w portable floodlight i normally use to shine on BBQ.............. gonna give that a trial run.......if that dont work, maybe gennie needs a slight tuneup.........will let u all know
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FollowupID: 715934

Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Sunday, Jan 30, 2011 at 22:54

Sunday, Jan 30, 2011 at 22:54
Hopefully your battery is vented to the outside of the vehicle its in and you still use the battery charger after you buy the new Genny.

Even using a Honda it is recommended that you dont charge directly off the genny


AnswerID: 443593

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