Golf cart batteries

[Fred Ficarra]

Thanks for speaking up Ross and Gord.

Terry I'm sure your no-load reading would be much higher or little would work. The reason I don't worry about it is we run engine driven refrigeration and a watermaker on the hook. The engine gets started and run twice a day. That also means very little drain on the batteries. Just things like the entertainment system and lights. Of course, part of that is the laptop and the ham radio. (we just listen on ham bands)

 

[John Nantz]

Low Voltage is Harmful to Motor Loads

Something else to consider with runing a system with a low voltage batteries is it's really tough on motors and things like glow plugs. To get the same amount of power at low voltage it takes more current and this can have harmful effects. Armatures overheat and in the case of a glow plug (forced air heater) it can cause warping. This is especially true for motors like compressor motors that start up under load.High voltage is good voltage.

 

[Dale I]

Equalizing Batteries...?

A little off the subject perhaps... I've heard the recommendation to 'equalize' the batteries and have never had an explanation of 'how to'. Does that amount to anything more than an individual charge on each battery in the bank to max charge? I understand that a weak battery can pull down the one next to it in a two-battery 6v. series. Am I on the right track? -How often should this be done on a system thats only a year or so old? -When you charge 'both' (12v. starter + 2 6v. series) on the selector switch...what happens if the 12v. is not as 'strong' as the 6v. side...disproportionate charge? -Over charge on the stronger side?Thanks for comments.

 

[Gord May]

Equalizing Flooded Batteries

BATTERY EQUALIZING:There are three phases of battery charging: bulk, absorption and float. - The bulk stage is where you can give the battery whatever current it will accept not to exceed 20% of the ampere hour rating, and that will not cause overheating. - The absorption phase is voltage-regulated current charging until the battery is fully charged. This is normally when the charging current drops off to 1% or less of the ampere hour capacity of the battery. For example, end current for a 225 Amp/Hour battery is 2.25 Amps or less. - Float charging at a lower voltage is used to maintain a fully charged battery.Equalizing is a controlled (2-5% of 20 Hr A/H rating) overcharge, to equalize and balance the voltage and specific gravity in each cell of a Flooded Lead Acid Battery. Equalizing reverses the build-up of the chemical effects like Stratification (where acid concentration is greater in the bottom of the battery), and Sulfation (where sulfate crystals build up on the plates).The frequency recommendation varies by manufacturer from once a month to once a year, 50 to 100 deep cycles, or a specific gravity difference between cells of .03 or .015 volts (15 millivolts). Trojan, for instance, recommends equalizing only when low (or wide ranging) Specific Gravity (±0.015) are detected, after fully charging the battery.1. Verify that the battery is a Flooded Type - Do NOT equalize VRLA Batteries!2. Fully charge the battery.3. Remove all loads from the battery(s).4. Connect battery charger.5. Set charger for equalizing voltage (A) .6. Start charging.7. Batteries will begin vigorous bubbling & gassing.8. Check Specific Gravity (in each cell) hourly.8. Equalization is complete when S.G. stops rising while battery gassing.9. Add distilled water to fill line (equalizing uses water).Note ‘A’:Most of the new Multi-Stage Battery Chargers have an automatic “Equalize” mode. If you have a constant current - variable voltage charger, you can set the charge voltage to the specific Battery manufacturer’s specifications; or approximately 15.1 V for “SLI” Batteries, or 15.8 V for “Deep Cycle" Batteries).HTH,Gord

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Gord, you are a handy man to have around.

The absorption amperage looks like a mis-type though. A quarter amp is just a little low, even for Terrys D cells.

 

[Gord May]

Thanx Fred

Of course you're right - 1% of 225 = 2.25 A.Gord

 

[Dan]

well thanks guys!

after carefully reading each and every post, Im convinced that everything that I thought I had learned over the last year is wrong. LOL!!