Finally bought a battery hydrometer, need help with results

What is the resting voltage?

No, the Minder doesn't have any settings. However the next thing I'm going to get is a Megawatt so I can set the charge voltage. I am more of a "hands on" kind of guy, so I think the MW will be perfect for me. I realize the Interstate is not going to be a great battery, especially since it is a marine battery. For dry camping I'll be using a pair of Trojan T105s, but since I have the Interstate, I want to keep it in good shape and I'll bring it with me as a backup.

Does your battery minder have a desulfation mode or an "equalize" mode? If not, I'd find a charger that has it and let 'em go for a couple of hours.

I am not sure the angle BFL is saying to use, but I would not use 90 degrees, perhaps 45.

In my experience those plastic hydrometers like the EZ red are not accurate nor precise. If there are any bubbles that stick to the float, the reading is invalid, and the lower the SG, it seems more bubbles will stick to the float.

Do a couple bulb squeezes before trying to take a reading. i like to pull from one side of the cell and push to the other side of the cell a few times if the battery has been sitting.

Maintainers have a loyal following, but some seem to think they can fully charge a battery if left on Long enough. They should only be put on after the battery has been fully charged by a more powerful charging source which can hold the battery in the mid 14v range for 2 to 4 hours.

Interstate has never manufactured a battery. They are a battery marketer. Maximum profit is the name of the game. They best battery does not yield the best profit.

Beware of marketing and loyal subjects of marketing.

Marketing = dishonesty, for maximum profit.

Puttin wrote:
Those readings are fairly close to full charge. Did you add any water the day before you read them? That can have a negative effect. They should be charged before you water them and again after.

Here's more info:

Battery info

Hope this helps.

No, didn't add water recently. I get that it's fairly close to full, but I've read how important it is to be 100%. Sounds like just getting close is a recipe for a short battery life.

BFL13 wrote:
You might have stratification, where the watery part is on top giving low readings. The high acid at the bottom eats the bottom of the plates-not good) Try to keep the mix even.

With the caps on, tip the battery up on its end and leave it for five minutes, then tip it up on the other end and wait five minutes, then when it is upright, wobble it back and forth some. Now take the SGs again.

To prevent stratification while on Float, you need to give the battery a shot of higher voltage every so often.

It won't spill if I do that?

Those readings are fairly close to full charge. Did you add any water the day before you read them? That can have a negative effect. They should be charged before you water them and again after.

Here's more info:

Battery info

Hope this helps.

You might have stratification, where the watery part is on top giving low readings. The high acid at the bottom eats the bottom of the plates-not good) Try to keep the mix even.

With the caps on, tip the battery up on its end and leave it for five minutes, then tip it up on the other end and wait five minutes, then when it is upright, wobble it back and forth some. Now take the SGs again.

To prevent stratification while on Float, you need to give the battery a shot of higher voltage every so often.