what should my battery voltage be?

[paul_374300602]

I'm having problems with my motor mover and the supplier thinks it maybe a due to a dicky battery. It's a brand new 110amp/hr leisure/ starter battery and it has been fully charged with a new heavy duty charger designed for charging this size of battery. Hovever although after a good long 'stew 'on the charger (with a reading at the teminals of 13.5v whilst charging) when the charger is removed the battery reads 13.2v as expected, but within a short period with no drain it's dropped to 12.8 and if left overnight it drops further to around 12.6v.Is this the sypmtoms of a duff battery? any thoughts?

paul

 

[chrisn7]

Paul Have a look here for pretty much anything you would ever want to know about batteries...

www.batteryfaq.org/

 

[Viking1]

Hi Paul

Check the wires that come from the motor mover fist.

Becase if they are not coned to the rigth this can stop the motor mover work and ater you check all the wire rey set the motor mover.

Mark

 

[RogerL]

After charging the battery should show 12.7/12.8 after resting with no drain.

If it drops to 12.6 overnight then either the battery is faulty, is reaching the end of it's service life or you have an unexplained battery drain.

 

[trucker]

I leave my battery charging all the time. (van plugged in at home) Will this harm the battery by keeping it topped up or will it keep it in good shape??

Kevin H

 

[RogerL]

Continuous use of the on-board 13.8v power supply won't harm the battery, it's designed to avoid gassing BUT the overall service life of a battery is improved by occassionally charging at 14.4/14.8 for a short period.

With a cheap car-type charger this needs very good discipline as a few hours are all that's needed.

More expensive chargers like the CTEK 3600 4-stage unit can be left in place indefinitely.

My 2001 Pageant has a Zig X70 power supply which can be switched off so I just use the CTEK continuously at home but revert to using the on-board Zig when on site.

 

[trucker]

Hi Rodger, I have an optimate 11 which I could use. Question is, will it charge to 14.6/14.8 or is it similar to the van charger?

Kein H

 

[RogerL]

Hi Rodger, I have an optimate 11 which I could use. Question is, will it charge to 14.6/14.8 or is it similar to the van charger?

Kein H

You'd need to check the Optimate specifications.