Testing battery

[noleakman]

I am trying to test my 6 volt batterys and I have a hydrometer! My problem the directions tell you the readings for 12 volt batterys What do you do for 6 volt???

[noleakman]

Thanks so much for the link! It explains it very well!

[stuplich]

noleakman wrote:
My electric panel shows 12.3 in house 6 volt batterys and my load tester says the same but highdrometer says each cell is 11.9 and needs to be charged ! What gives?

noleakman
Batteries are not considered "fully charged" at any voltage below 12.6 volts.
At 12.3 volts the "State of Charge" of your batteries is between 60% and 70%.
(That's why the hydrometer indicates they need to be charged).

See: http://rvtechlibrary.com/images/voltchart.gif

Mel
'96 Safari

[wny_pat1]

But remember, a hydrometer reads in "specific gravity" and not voltage. And a true hydrometer should read 1.xxx and not 12.

Click on the link I gave you and it tells you everything you need to know about using a hydrometer.

[noleakman]

You are correct and it is in the red for recharge! Does 12.3 on the gauge in the hall and on the losd tester sound right for the hydrometer reading I am getting??

[wny_pat1]

noleakman wrote:
The hydrometer says 11.9 and is in the recharge color on the float and all read the same !

Using a Hydrometer. And I don't think it should be reading 11.9. More likely 1.190. It should be reading somewhere between the range of 1.000 to 1.280.

[noleakman]

The hydrometer says 11.9 and is in the recharge color on the float and all read the same !

[wolfe10]

What are the SG readings? Hydrometers do not give voltage.

And, how much variance is there between cells. That will give you an indication as to whether your battery just needs a recharge or if one cell is bad.

[noleakman]

My electric panel shows 12.3 in house 6 volt batterys and my load tester says the same but highdrometer says each cell is 11.9 and needs to be charged ! What gives?

[joeprinter]

Cells are cells, just more of them in 12 V 🙂

[Crazy_Ray]

click on and read & learn

[2oldman]

Same as the first answer.

[wolfe10]

noleakman wrote:
If I understand the previous post each cell should read the same even if it is 6 or 12 volt battery!

CORRECT.

[noleakman]

If I understand the previous post each cell should read the same even if it is 6 or 12 volt battery!

[wa8yxm]

When you are using a Hydrometer you are not testing a Battery, You are testing a CELL.

12 volt batteries have six cells

Six volt pairs,, also have six cells, 3 in each battery, and thus are a 12 volt battery when installed (I know, confusing) which is why I say there are no six volt batteries IN Rv's (True there are six volt cubes, but they are paired to make 12).

And when using a hydrometer, each 2 volt cell is ... Well that is what the instructions are for, 2 volt cells. You just test .. all of them.