Forum Discussion

Gjac's avatar
Gjac
Explorer III
Jan 20, 2015

Battery Self Discharge

Would the rate at which a battery self discharges be a way of determining the health of a battery? I have (2) 7 year old Sam's Club GC batteries that have been sitting without charge(battery disconnect switch on) since Nov 4 2014. On Jan 10 2015 they read 12.48 V at 20 degrees F. I know a load test would be the normal test, but I am in Fla now and the MH is in Ct. So is there a direct correlation between the rate of self discharge and how many more years a battery would last assuming the same usage as the previous years?
  • mabynack's avatar
    mabynack
    Explorer II
    Jan 20, 2015
    Not really. It has been my experience that the real killer for most lead acid batteries is shorting between the plates in the battery. It's cause by either warped plates that short or by solids in the acid that short across the plates.
    Another cause for failure in non-sealed batteries is low acid levels that allow the plates to be exposed to air and oxidize.

About Technical Issues

Having RV issues? Connect with others who have been in your shoes.24,212 PostsLatest Activity: Mar 12, 2025