Battery charging

[Duggie_374362603]

I Have 2007 Swift charisma 555 van .I Have noticed when charging my Battery that it gets very hot (i know it should get slightly hot when charging ) but this gets very hot also get smell like rotten eggs if left to charge for over night charge anyone get the same with there charger or am i putting the 3 way switch at the wrong setting Down the way )1 car 2 middle 3 van any info would be great

cheers

Duggie

 

[Woody3]

A lead-acid battery may get slightly warm (i.e. tepid) under charge but it should not get hot. The rotten egges smell is Hydrogen Sulphide which suggests the electrolyte may be boiling due to excessive voltage and/or current being applied.

Stop using your charger and get it checked by a compitent person. If diagnosed as OK then get the battery checked under load and replace it if necessary.

 

[Damian]

Duggie, check the voltage at the battery with the charger on, it should only read about 13.5v.

If it is any more the charger is putting out too much and needs replacing.

If it is not higher, then there is an internal fault in the battery and it should be discarded immediately.

 

[Carli_374365147]

My 4 stage battery conditioner goes up to 14.2 volts in order to get the charge to 100%.

If you are not using the correct charger for your leisure battery then it is best to stop using it and seek professional advice.

By the way, the gas given off by a battery on charge is highly flammable!!!

 

[RogerL]

To clarify Damian's post:-

Dumb car chargers use a constant 14.4v and are unsuitable for continuous use on any battery as gassing and electrolyte loss will be caused.

Other dumb chargers, like on-board caravan power supplies, limit their voltage to 13.8v maximum to prevent gassing. These can be used continuously but will only charge a battery to about 90% and won't prevent sulphation.

Smart (intelligent) chargers start with a high 14.4v / 14.8v charge but then reduce the voltage to around 13.0v to maintain a 100% charged battery. When necessary the smart charger will go through it's cycles again. The higher initial charge reduces sulphation, some smart chargers have an anti-sulphation phase which almost eliminates it.

Most caravans have dumb on-board power suppliers but some manufacturers are starting to fit dual stage supply/chargers.

It's not as simple as saying "anything over 13.8v is too much" - it all depends on the charger. 13.5v is an irrelevant figure anyway.

 

[Duggie_374362603]

Duggie, check the voltage at the battery with the charger on, it should only read about 13.5v.

If it is any more the charger is putting out too much and needs replacing.

If it is not higher, then there is an internal fault in the battery and it should be discarded immediately.

Damien

thanks 4 info i think charger is over charging with 3 way switch on car or middle i get a reading of 20.0 when switch on van i am getting 14.9 that is with nothing on 12v at all no lights nothing think its faulty will get it back to dealer for checking

cheers

Duggie

 

[Duggie_374362603]

My 4 stage battery conditioner goes up to 14.2 volts in order to get the charge to 100%.

If you are not using the correct charger for your leisure battery then it is best to stop using it and seek professional advice.

By the way, the gas given off by a battery on charge is highly flammable!!!

carli

thanks 4 your reply i am only using the charger that the van was bought new with so the charger must be wrong

thanks

Duggie

 

[Duggie_374362603]

A lead-acid battery may get slightly warm (i.e. tepid) under charge but it should not get hot. The rotten egges smell is Hydrogen Sulphide which suggests the electrolyte may be boiling due to excessive voltage and/or current being applied.

Stop using your charger and get it checked by a compitent person. If diagnosed as OK then get the battery checked under load and replace it if necessary.

Woody thanks 4 reply think its the charger. battery is less than 1 year old got a new one when i got my m/mover fitted 110 amp battery will get onto dealer for some help

Thanks

Duggie