I'm looking at getting a set of 6V's and I understand that there's basically a break in period (industry calls it a warm up period) before the batt achieves it's full capacity. Trojan says this can take as long as 100 cycles! In our application the batteries will rarely be discharged. We only dry camp once or twice a year but when we do, we really need good battery power. Is there any way to speed up this break-in process? Is there an exercise we can put the battery though that's not detrimental to it?Thanks in advance,ScottBTW, I know about the 50% rule. :)

Some battery info........LINKSome dry camping in driveway to lightly cycle batteries?Per TrojanA new battery will not deliver its full rated capacity. This is normal and should be expectedas it takes time to “work the battery up”• Trojan’s batteries take between 50 – 100 cycles to work up to providing full, peak capacity

There is so little difference between the capacity of two new, fully charged GC2 6V's and ones that have been cycled, that it is insignificant to a typical RV user. The most important thing to remember is to charge soon after discharge. If you want to get accurate about battery SOC, a hydrometer is the tool of choice. After just a few cycles, establish a base-line SOC and everything after is measured against that. You will see the SOC rise from that baseline as you get some use from them.

Hi Scott,Add a modest solar system.

I measured with Interstate GC2s but expect T-105s would be the same idea. Got about as rated when new; no real increase afterwards. I did get "progressive capacity loss" with successive 50-90s that I did see for sure. No way around that till you can do a "recovery" to 100% SOC afterwards on shore power.If you are trying to get the most from the batts and you think they are not yet up to full capacity being too new, just run them down farther to 40% instead of 50% for the few times you will be doing that. Won't harm them. Just get that recovery done after you get shore power.

X2 westend, you won't notice the difference between new and broken in batts.

Battery "warm up period" | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

time2roll
Nomad
Jun 11, 2014
Just use them. Don't try to baby them too much.
For part time use (twice a year) discharging 60% to 80% is not a huge deal.
The 50% or less is for full timers.

To break them in a bit, turn off the converter for the first 24hrs at the camp with utilities.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Jun 11, 2014
Hi,

The other way to avoid capacity loss is to add a solar system that is large enough to be able to equalize the battery bank.

The cycles to complete the "greening" process (i.e. to get to the greatest possible capacity for new batteries) need to be about 5 or 6 percent--no need to cycle to 50% (or lower).

BFL13 wrote:
I did get "progressive capacity loss" with successive 50-90s that I did see for sure. No way around that till you can do a "recovery" to 100% SOC afterwards on shore power.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Jun 11, 2014
Some tips:

Find the date code stickers on the batteries. I do not like to purchase batteries manufactured more than 2-3 month before the sale.

I immediately top charge my new batteries. In your case apply around 6 amperes of charging current until voltage rises to 15.0 then terminate the charge. Most battery distributors do not do this, and your batteries are going to get off on a good start.

I would expect to see 6% maximum A/H gain after a battery burns in. That high a number is pretty unusual as it is.
ScottG
Nomad
Jun 11, 2014
Thanks for the helpful advice all!
I won't sweat it.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Jun 11, 2014
I've never concerned myself about break-in but we have practice dry camped.

When we have a dry camping trip planned, on a prior trip we will leave the power disconnected and camp like it is unavailable. If the batteries come up short we can connect to shore power at any time.

Practice dry camping would also serve the purpose of your break-in.
MNtundraRet
Navigator
Jun 11, 2014
Nothing new. Just more******printing from the legal department.

No need to waste time doing extra cycles if not camping. Just lowers the overall life of the battery. Trojan's are still a good battery and you will not notice the difference.

It's just a few of us (with plenty of time on our hands) that noticed the difference when checking out our new batteries versus are our old ones. In my case they happen to be Trojan's replacing 10 year old Trojan's. We started doing this about 2 years ago.

The manufacturer's just changed their enclosed instructions to cover their butts after some here called or wrote them about the early missing capacity.
mena661
Explorer
Jun 11, 2014
RJsfishin wrote:

And if I need a hydrometer to see it, then that's one more reason why I don't need one.
You won't see it with that either. I didn't.
RJsfishin
Explorer
Jun 11, 2014
quote:
Is there any way to speed up this break-in process?
-----------------------------------------------------
If you think there is going to be a big noticeable improvement in performance
after this supposedly break in period, get prepared for a letdown.
I myself have never noticed even a little itsy bitsy improvement.
And if I need a hydrometer to see it, then that's one more reason why I don't need one.
mena661
Explorer
Jun 11, 2014
X2 westend, you won't notice the difference between new and broken in batts.
BFL13
Explorer II
Jun 11, 2014
I measured with Interstate GC2s but expect T-105s would be the same idea. Got about as rated when new; no real increase afterwards. I did get "progressive capacity loss" with successive 50-90s that I did see for sure. No way around that till you can do a "recovery" to 100% SOC afterwards on shore power.

If you are trying to get the most from the batts and you think they are not yet up to full capacity being too new, just run them down farther to 40% instead of 50% for the few times you will be doing that. Won't harm them. Just get that recovery done after you get shore power.