People asked to keep them informed how it went after I got these second hand golf car batts in case they had a chance to get some.-I have been nursing and camping with doing some 50-90s, a pair of two-year old used T-1275 golf car batteries back to life for the last three months off and on. Batteries are numbered 1 and 4 from when in a golf car, so I will stick with those names.AugustFirst check-- some 1.250s, 55s , 60s. ( 20 hr rate Load test with both in parallel- 85%)-- some nursing and ( SGs from pos to neg) improved SGs came to: Batt 4-- 1.260 right across Batt 1-- 1.250, 1.250, 1.275, 1.260, 1.260, 1.260September Batt 4 --two 65s in with the 60s Batt 1 --as before but now the 1.275 cell was 1.285.October Batt 4--1.270, 1.270, 1.165, 1.270, 1.270, 1.275 Batt 1--1.260, 1.260, 1.280, 1.265, 1.265, 1.165 Batt 4--1.275, 1.275, 1.270, 1.280, 1.275, 1.280 Batt 1--1.270, 1.270, 1.280, 1.270, 1.270, 1.270November Batt 4--1.280, 1.280, 1.275, 1.290, 1.285, 1.290 Batt 1--1.270, 1.270, 1.290, 1.275, 1.275. 1.275Last 20hr rate load test 89% when both in parallel

Hi BFL13,Nice number improvements.

Thanks. I can't seem to equalize them though. It is always the same cells higher or lower even though the rising tide floats all boats.

Interesting you show 1.290GC's used to limit at 1.275 Don't know about now. But my readings were with a Freas hydrometer.

Hi BFL13,You might be able to "fix" the low cells if you have access to a 2 volt manual charger or regulated DC power supply.You would need to place probes into the cells on either side of the weak cell and then equalize just that one cell. Of course the probe needs to be a material that would not allow electroplating to occur. I would guess platinum would work--but Mex may know of something else that could be used to good effect. Perhaps even part of a plate from a junked battery? Use the negative plate for the + probe and the positive plate for the - probe? (or perhaps the other way round--I've not thought this through completely.

Progress Report on Used T-1275s | Good Sam Community

20 Replies

ktmrfs
Explorer III
Nov 30, 2013
mena661 wrote:
Good work BFL!!! MEX, the SG on my L16's is 1.285 typically when the batteries temps (IR thermometer) are around 80F/27C. This is measured with a Freas hydrometer.

what's interesting is that the Trojan "solar energy" batteries, which have claimed much higher cycle life (2-4X) than the regular trojans have

a) noticeaby lower initial SG spec than "regular" deep discharge counterpart batteries, about 1.26 IIRC
b) A corresponding decrease in AH spec's for the same weight. (As I would expect given the lower initial SG)

So, like so many things it's a tradeoff, what do you value most? Long life, or more AH/lower initial cost.

Course even the Trojan "regular" deep discharge have a cycle life few RV'rs will ever hit. There are a few of us that might, I get somewhat close in about the 8-10yr life I expect out of them.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Nov 30, 2013
I Live and learn. That's too danged hot in my opinion for temps in excess of 50F. These knotheads will do anything to boost apparent specifications to please the sales department. I am have been running 1.260 in my 2-volt cells.

The part that has hardened sulfation will always have low gravity and in turn really hampers CCA (biggest restriction = total limit of amperage). By establishing a "true" baseline for your gravity BFL13 I have a better picture of what's going on. The missing test link is a 20 hour test.

But, hey, if you flip the switch and the lights go on, what more can a person ask for?

o
mena661
Explorer
Nov 30, 2013
Good work BFL!!! MEX, the SG on my L16's is 1.285 typically when the batteries temps (IR thermometer) are around 80F/27C. This is measured with a Freas hydrometer.
BFL13
Explorer II
Nov 30, 2013
I used the same hydrometer every time but it is not calibrated or anything fancy. Temps have been near enough to 60F not bother with temp correction IMO but YMMV. It just gives me an idea how things are going and results are consistent, so I am happy with the measuring standard in use.

I will not try the probes PT! Sounds as bad as Mex's bath salts trick :)

They seem to like it when used for camping, get recovered, and then Float. More use = better batts.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Nov 30, 2013
:o :E :B

On both batteries
pianotuna
Nomad III
Nov 30, 2013
Hi BFL13,

You might be able to "fix" the low cells if you have access to a 2 volt manual charger or regulated DC power supply.

You would need to place probes into the cells on either side of the weak cell and then equalize just that one cell. Of course the probe needs to be a material that would not allow electroplating to occur. I would guess platinum would work--but Mex may know of something else that could be used to good effect. Perhaps even part of a plate from a junked battery? Use the negative plate for the + probe and the positive plate for the - probe? (or perhaps the other way round--I've not thought this through completely.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Nov 30, 2013
Interesting you show 1.290

GC's used to limit at 1.275 Don't know about now. But my readings were with a Freas hydrometer.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Nov 30, 2013
Interesting you show 1.290

GC's used to limit at 1.275 Don't know about now. But my readings were with a Freas hydrometer.
BFL13
Explorer II
Nov 30, 2013
Thanks. I can't seem to equalize them though. It is always the same cells higher or lower even though the rising tide floats all boats.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Nov 30, 2013
Hi BFL13,

Nice number improvements.

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Progress Report on Used T-1275s

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