Am I shortening my battery life?
We have not been able to go out much in the last year so I have kept the 53r plugged in at home. I check the two Cr235 6v batteries monthly and top off as needed (which is not much). The 5er has a WFC...
Forum Discussion
smkettner wrote:sjturbo wrote:Keep the float on and you are fine.
BTW SandiaMan was correct the actual float was 13.2 to 13.3
The closer float voltage is to the theoretical "ideal" the less the battery will need to be stirred if it sits for several months at a time. Give particular emphasis to the word "less".
Variable atop variable aside, a battery that sits say six or seven months should be stirred even when 13.2 or whatever float voltage had been supplied. Ideal float voltage slows down stratification significantly. Slows down is not the same as "stops".
Sulfuric acid is HEAVY Density, lbs/gal., U.S.. 15.371
At 1.280 dilution there is a significant amount of H2SO4 in the electrolyte. Gradually, ever so gradually it wants to settle to the bottom. Introducing a current through the electrolyte causes an increasing Dependent on voltage level of natural acid circulation. It is a tiny but significant amount. Gaseous stirring is 10,000 (?) times as potent. Boy is that ever dartboard guessing at the ratio :) Bouncing down the interstate is best but this is about batteries dealing with a rig in hibernation.
I gotta harp...Top Charging is the monkey wrench in the above scenario. It cures so many prospective maintenance glitches with so little effort.
