Charging Rate of Honda 2000

I readily admit to an incredible ignorance regarding batteries. I was totally exposed here, and I thank you. I thought if a 6 volt batt was showing 6 volts, or better, all was good. And, anything under 6 meant it simply needed a boost back to 6. I guess the Good Lord was merciful to me since I have operated on that theory for years in other RV's and on my boats. Praise be to Him. Thanks again for the eye - opener.

Hoppypoppy wrote:
When we leave the house, both 6 volt batteries are showing in the 6.25 - 6.30 range having charged with shore power. ...
... After bfast, no coffee maker, minimal light usage etc, I check my batts. Typically they are in the 5.15 - 5.60 range. A 3 hour "charge" will bring them back to roughly 6.15.

These numbers don't tell much, other than you are not taking good care of your batteries.

Voltage charts provided in other posts can tell you approximate charge if you measure it on a rested battery. Meaning, rested at least 12 hours, preferably 24, after charging, AND there are no loads when you measure voltage.

So, 6.25-6.3 shortly after being charged - when you leave home - means you are leaving every time with batteries not fully charged.

6.15 measured either under load or while still charging, doesn't tell anything.

5.15-5.60 measured in absence of loads means your batteries are dead or almost dead. But, if measured under load, it doesn't tell much.

As to your initial question - Don Piano is right, it is impossible to answer as it is. To gain the last 0.1-0.2V takes several times longer than the first 0.1-02V.

Generator is not the right tool to bring battery to 100%. The answer on generator run time won't help you, if you don't bring battery to 100% most of the time - because they won't last long then. Roy's post where it says about 60 hours from fully discharged to 90% full, is as close answer as it can be.

Sam Spade wrote:

Hoppypoppy wrote:

2oldman wrote:

Hoppypoppy wrote:
My error. No mw on batts.

OK.. but as said above, I agree that I think your batteries are shot.

So a 6 volt batt showing less than 6 volts is shot?

No nobody said that. You are reading things not said.
See the chart.

IF the batteries are designated as "deep cycle", taking them down to 40 percent charge should not cause a problem as long as they are recharged real soon.

AND if you are going to take a voltage reading and try to equate it to remaining capacity, they must NOT be feeding any load at the time. Turn off everything and wait about 10 minutes.

Having said that, it seems like you are getting a large drop from just a fan and one small light. What's the wattage on those two items ? Might want to consider changing over to an LED night light and a low current fan......after you have the batteries load tested. How old are these batteries ??

Sorry if my question came off as snide. A totally honest question from what I was understanding. I have learned so much today here and in further research of my own. Thank you all. These batteries were bought 10/13. Interstates.

Hoppypoppy wrote:

2oldman wrote:

Hoppypoppy wrote:
My error. No mw on batts.

OK.. but as said above, I agree that I think your batteries are shot.

So a 6 volt batt showing less than 6 volts is shot?

No nobody said that. You are reading things not said.
See the chart.

IF the batteries are designated as "deep cycle", taking them down to 40 percent charge should not cause a problem as long as they are recharged real soon.

AND if you are going to take a voltage reading and try to equate it to remaining capacity, they must NOT be feeding any load at the time. Turn off everything and wait about 10 minutes.

Having said that, it seems like you are getting a large drop from just a fan and one small light. What's the wattage on those two items ? Might want to consider changing over to an LED night light and a low current fan......after you have the batteries load tested. How old are these batteries ??

You could try this: Put them on some sort of reliable charger for 24 hrs. Let rest for 12 hrs. Check voltage and specific gravity with a hydrometer. Do an equalize charge of at least 16V for an hour or until the batteries bubble. Let rest. Check electrolyte and voltage. If you have anything less than 12.6 volts, the batteries are very weak or very sulfated. You can try more charging at higher voltages (15+) but monitor both the acid and voltage.

Hoppypoppy wrote:
Thanks for all the help. Let me just throw out a typical trip for us. Maybe that will clarify things, at least for me. When we leave the house, both 6 volt batteries are showing in the 6.25 - 6.30 range having charged with shore power. Each a/noon I will plug shore power into my 2000, and run it for about 3 hours. We use a Fantastic Fan and a small florescent night lite all night. After bfast, no coffee maker, minimal light usage etc, I check my batts. Typically they are in the 5.15 - 5.60 range. A 3 hour "charge" will bring them back to roughly 6.15. This is where the "1 volt" comes from in my OP. I was just curious how much longer it would take to get back to 6.25+ range, hence one volt. Sorry if I am trying your patience on this, but it is something that crossed my mind after a week (typical) trip.

OK this info helps a little. You need to learn a few things and that's ok, that's why you are here, right?

1. It is ok to measure your batteries individually but why do the math? Measure from the post where the positive cable is to the post where the negative cable is. This your starting out voltage and yours is 12.5 to 12.6. Full is 12.7. You are not even full when you start the trip. At 5.15-5.6 = 10.30-11.2 Volts DC. You only want to take your batteries down to 50% state (see chart) of charge which is 12.1-2. Taking them below that is causing serious damage to their longevity. Your batteries are likely shot.

See chart:


2. To help you, we need to know what kind of converter/charger you have. Some RV's come with good ones, most do not. Open the door on your power center and look for a brand name and model#. It will be something like WFCO, Progressive Industries, or something else. The less expensive WFCO that even some of the better RV manufacturers like to use is not known to be very good at quick charging batteries. Get back to us if you want real help.

3. You seem to know your way around a volt meter. Read 12 Volt Side of Life It will help you understand things.

Hoppypoppy wrote:
Thanks for all the help. Let me just throw out a typical trip for us. Maybe that will clarify things, at least for me. When we leave the house, both 6 volt batteries are showing in the 6.25 - 6.30 range having charged with shore power. Each a/noon I will plug shore power into my 2000, and run it for about 3 hours. We use a Fantastic Fan and a small florescent night lite all night. After bfast, no coffee maker, minimal light usage etc, I check my batts. Typically they are in the 5.15 - 5.60 range. A 3 hour "charge" will bring them back to roughly 6.15. This is where the "1 volt" comes from in my OP. I was just curious how much longer it would take to get back to 6.25+ range, hence one volt. Sorry if I am trying your patience on this, but it is something that crossed my mind after a week (typical) trip.

What are you charging with? For fast charging you need to be up close to 7.4 volts and 45+ amp capacity.

here is a handy chart showing the state of charge for both 6V and 12V batteries...



It surprises you where you think a battery should be when at 50% or 10% capacity...

They will start having internal problems when they get below the 50% charge state and continue to be used... Basically 6.0VDC or 12.0VDC...

Your battery is not shot yet at 6.0VDC but if you continue to use it will be shortly... Must be charged back up to at least 90% before you can get it stated performance again.

Roy Ken

2oldman wrote:

Hoppypoppy wrote:
My error. No mw on batts.

OK.. but as said above, I agree that I think your batteries are shot.

So a 6 volt batt showing less than 6 volts is shot?

Hoppypoppy wrote:
My error. No mw on batts.

OK.. but as said above, I agree that I think your batteries are shot.