Problem charging House Batteries
My 2004 Ford E-350 V10 Class C has developed a problem with charging the house batteries. I have a Xantrex Battery monitor. My house batteries are 2 Group 24 batteries brand new, 2 weeks old. becaus...
Forum Discussion
I can surface charge a battery to 13.4 volts. If voltage is used as a parameter to mistakenly determine level of charge, when a perfect battery loses the charge and settles into a 100.00000% level of charge of 12.7 volts, seemingly SEVEN TENTHS of a volt is "lost". I have seen overcharged batteries show 13.8 volts or more when freshly disconnected from a charging source. Just because the voltage level decreases to resting voltage does not mean it is losing capacity fullness.
This is a perfect example of how and why abstract charge measurements are so invalid. When the hydrometer says the battery acid density is 100.00000% it is telling you the truth. If you start out your voyage and the hydrometer shows 1.280 density and arrive at your destination with half a volt less, but still showing cell density at 1.280 the batteries have "lost" nothing. If density drops to say 1.275 then start looking for a charging problem.
This is fundamental battery and charging analysis. If you choose to ignore it, then may the force be with you...
This is a perfect example of how and why abstract charge measurements are so invalid. When the hydrometer says the battery acid density is 100.00000% it is telling you the truth. If you start out your voyage and the hydrometer shows 1.280 density and arrive at your destination with half a volt less, but still showing cell density at 1.280 the batteries have "lost" nothing. If density drops to say 1.275 then start looking for a charging problem.
This is fundamental battery and charging analysis. If you choose to ignore it, then may the force be with you...
