Hot battery

[Seattle Scott]

So I neglected my 4 group 27 house bank batteries fluid level. I ended up adding about a quart of distilled water to each one. It was hard to get a good view, but I think the fluid level was below the plate tops on a few cells. Anyway filled them up, turned on the charger and was back at the boat 24 hours later. Noticed that charger monitor was reading 5 amp charge input. Turned off the charger and went to check the voltage at the terminals. One battery was hot (guess around 120 F ) disconnected it from the bank and got 8.5 volts at the terminal. Disconnected another battery and got 12.7 at terminal. Didn't check the other two. I now have a replacement to install for the hot battery. Bank is 7 years old.Do I have to replace the other three batteries? Or will installing 1 new battery in a four battery bank shorten the life of the new one? The new one is a direct replacement of the old one, lead acid same specs, same manufacturer. Can I replace the other three when I get to it? They are a bear to get out. Probably will only put a few days of deep discharge cycles on the bank the rest of the summer.

 

[Karl]

Dead batteries

Replace them all and have piece of mind.Not only are the seven years old but, then you cooked the remaining life out of them.You have to check the voltage after the charger has been removed for 24 hours.

 

[JC on Bainbridge]

Replace all 4

I would recommend replacing all 4 batteries at the same time. When you mix new and old, the old will bring down the new, not new bringing up the old. Also, 7 years is really not that bad. You got good use out of them.If you don't want to tackle replacing all of them right now, then I would suggest you take the bad one out of the mix, and just use 3 for your house bank until you get a chance to replace all 4 at once.

 

[Trevor - SailboatOwners.c]

Replace ASAP

Hi Scott -JC is spot on: you need to replace the bad battery immediately; plan on replacing the remaining battery soon afterwards if not at the same time.Best,Trevor

 

[Seattle Scott]

Now where is that checkbook?

Thanks for the info.