The Interstate group 24 has been pretty faithful for 10 years, but I went to throw the float charger on it and found that it was quickly switching to the "charged" indication. Seems it's got a large internal resistance now. I put the beefy dumb charger on it, and after a half hour it was finally up to 1/2 amp of charging current. Took the dumb charger off and put the float charger back on overnight, but it seems to be back to having a high internal resistance. It's inside now, back on the dumb charger where it's up to 1 amp now. So, is there hope for it, or time to retire it and get a new one?

What was the voltage of the battery before trying to charge? Did it freeze?If it is 10 years old I wouldn't even bother, you got your money's worth.

Battery voltage was 12.7. I saw liquid when I checked the electrolyte, so I'm assuming it didn't freeze. Actually, I was just checking the voltage, forgot to switch the leads, and managed to NOT blow the expensive amps fuse on my Fluke. Might be time to send it on its way.

12.7? It is already fully charged, that is the reason it won't charge.

average age for a battery is 7 years. I had mine in my truck for over 10 years and thought I should get a new one before the cold set in. One thing you can try is if you have a engine start on the charger, set it on engine start for about 10 minutes. not much longer than that, the battery will get too hot. but putting it on engine start will shock the electrolyte in the battery and break up the crud around the plates. it is the crud on the plates that ruins a battery. if you can dissolve some of the crud you may get another year out of it. but then maybe not. I would advise you to start looking for a new battery.

Like a 100 year old man. He won't eat, but how is he otherwise? If he can still tap his foot and whistle maybe it ain't quite time to call the mortician.

Is my battery done? | Good Sam Community

old_guy
Explorer
Jan 11, 2014
average age for a battery is 7 years. I had mine in my truck for over 10 years and thought I should get a new one before the cold set in. One thing you can try is if you have a engine start on the charger, set it on engine start for about 10 minutes. not much longer than that, the battery will get too hot. but putting it on engine start will shock the electrolyte in the battery and break up the crud around the plates. it is the crud on the plates that ruins a battery. if you can dissolve some of the crud you may get another year out of it. but then maybe not. I would advise you to start looking for a new battery.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Jan 11, 2014
12.7? It is already fully charged, that is the reason it won't charge.
sparkydave
Explorer
Jan 11, 2014
Battery voltage was 12.7. I saw liquid when I checked the electrolyte, so I'm assuming it didn't freeze. Actually, I was just checking the voltage, forgot to switch the leads, and managed to NOT blow the expensive amps fuse on my Fluke. Might be time to send it on its way.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Jan 11, 2014
What was the voltage of the battery before trying to charge? Did it freeze?

If it is 10 years old I wouldn't even bother, you got your money's worth.

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