New Battery Losing Charge

[Splash]

HI Fed. When I take rig out next, I will measure voltage before and during running to see if the battery is being charged.

THanks for input.

SPlash

[groverwa]

Splash

If you can get hold a Tong meter then you can measure the charge current with the motor running

The voltage measured across the battery may give a false indication as to the actual charging of the battery - our nissan pulsar had a problem that when it was run over a long distance the battery went flat and the computer shut down. The autosparky told us that nothing was wrong as the voltage was 14.4v at revs. I asked him to try and measure the charge current using tongs but he did not have one and laughed at my suggestion. I did not have a tong meter myself and with over 33 years working for Telstra on just about anything they had I do know a bit about power problems - been out 9 years now

As it turned out the regulator was doing strange things - changed the alternator and all ok - cheaper to get a new alternator than a new regulator and get it fitted

Mike

[Splash]

Thanks GroverWA.

What is a tong meter? (is this not an ammeter renamed?)

BTW all, I have jsut re-cahred my battery - 14.04V.

I reconnected the termial lead and will let sit for 2 days.

I will then measure volts again and see what dissiaption I get..

SPLash

[station-rat]

2days I would guess 12.44 volts

[Splash]

Thansk SRAT.

Woudl this be considered a normal dissipation rate?

Splash

[station-rat]

14.04 volts is the surface charge from charging
This would normally drop to less than 13.00 volts within hours of finishing charging. 12.5 volts within 24 hours assuming that the battery is 100% charged.
Did you check it with a hydrometer?.The Johnson regulators draw a small amount of power to run the regulator (engine not running ), so I was just guestimating at the voltage when you test it after 2 days

[Splash]

Thansk SRAT - No hydrometer was used - just multimeter.

Cheers

[groverwa]

Slash

A tong meter is a meter that clamps over a conductor and measures current

It can have multimeter functions as well - see attachment

Mike

[Splash]

Guys - I have just been told that 14.4V reading on the battery is too high and most likley over charged which will damage the battery. True?

I will check to see if my charger is regulated.

I am also able to obtain a tong meter for weekend.

SPlash

[station-rat]

Splash
14.5V should be the maxium while charging
Mate, have you got one of them "Calcium" batteries( Low Maintance or Maintance Free) in your boat
Calcium batteries have a higher internal resistance than normal lead acid battery
Charging current rises higher to overcome the internal resistance

[Simmo2]

130 posts....
2 weeks....
And still NO progress!!
Splash! Mate! Take the whole bloody boat to an auto elec, pay up the bucks and go fishing knowing that things are all OK!!

[driveon]

Guys - I have just been told that 14.4V reading on the battery is too high and most likley over charged which will damage the battery. True?
SPlash

Splash, I don’t know where your getting some of your info from but to have 14.4 volts at the battery, while the motor is running, is a perfect charging voltage as it’s the maximum that an AGM type battery can be safely charged at and as both standard flooded wet cell and sealed maintenance free batteries can safely take a maximum charge voltage of 14.7, again, that voltage is perfect.

[Splash]

THanks boys.

Yes, I do beleive I have the maintenance free batteries..

SPlash

[station-rat]

Splash
14.4v after you have charged it is no great surprise

[Splash]

14.04 volts is the surface charge from charging
This would normally drop to less than 13.00 volts within hours of finishing charging. 12.5 volts within 24 hours assuming that the battery is 100% charged.
Did you check it with a hydrometer?.The Johnson regulators draw a small amount of power to run the regulator (engine not running ), so I was just guestimating at the voltage when you test it after 2 days

Hello team - did u all miss me?

Ok - On 10/02/08, I fully charged my battery and purposelfy left terminals/cables on battery - all wired up - measured 14.04V.

Today is 22/02/08, I now measure 12.98V. I have not run motor in this timeframe.

How has this battery performed and does this slight drop in voltage (but end result still ok) indicate that my electics are all ok?

I have the tong meter with me and the multimeter and hope to "make a few waves" this weekend.


SPlash