Using a Hydrometer on an 8v battery

cheapjeep2 · 12-14-2008, 05:02 AM

Just looking for validation here, when using a hydrometer I am assuming that the specific gravity chart for what is a good or bad cell is the same regardless of the voltage of the battery, correct? In other words the same scale for a 12v would apply to an 8v.

scottyb · 12-14-2008, 08:11 AM

Yes, the difference in voltage is a result of the number of cells of 2+ volts each connected in series within the battery. That is why a 6v has 3 cells and an 8v has 4

cheapjeep2 · 12-14-2008, 10:43 AM

I fully understand Scotty, but that's not what I am asking. I am specifically asking if the specific gravity is different between a 12v, 8v or 6v battery, from what I read it's not, only the voltage will change due to the different number of cells. This seems to be a common scale for which to go by.

scottyb · 12-14-2008, 12:00 PM

gornoman · 12-14-2008, 12:23 PM

Voltage has no bearing. You are measuring specific gravity of each cell, not the entire battery. You need to measure the electrolyte under every cap of every battery. Each cap represents it's own cell.

dereckbc · 12-14-2008, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheapjeep2

Just looking for validation here, when using a hydrometer I am assuming that the specific gravity chart for what is a good or bad cell is the same regardless of the voltage of the battery, correct?

Correct, but just keep in mind one must know the temp of the battery, and then use the adjusted SPG. Most charts are for 77 degrees and do not adjust for the difference in temp. For that you will need to cunsult the manufacture specifications.

cheapjeep2 · 12-14-2008, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gornoman

Voltage has no bearing. You are measuring specific gravity of each cell, not the entire battery. You need to measure the electrolyte under every cap of every battery. Each cap represents it's own cell.

Yea, I figured that!

cheapjeep2 · 12-14-2008, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dereckbc

Correct, but just keep in mind one must know the temp of the battery, and then use the adjusted SPG. Most charts are for 77 degrees and do not adjust for the difference in temp. For that you will need to cunsult the manufacture specifications.

The Hydrometer I bought has a temperature gauge built into and has the calculations. So I'm good.

Thanks all.

RedDog · 12-14-2008, 06:40 PM

I can see where that would be confusing as the specific gravity chart correlates sg to battery voltage on a 12V battery.

GLEEMO · 12-15-2008, 10:09 AM

Yes it could throw one off except for the fact that as stated above,
you are really measuring each cell.
So it matters not whether the battery has 6 cells (12 Volt) , 3 cells (6 Volt) or 4 Cells (8 Volt) since it's per cell .

12-14-2008, 05:02 AM	#1
cheapjeep2 Gone Wild Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Peachtree City, Georgia Posts: 1,546	Using a Hydrometer on an 8v battery Just looking for validation here, when using a hydrometer I am assuming that the specific gravity chart for what is a good or bad cell is the same regardless of the voltage of the battery, correct? In other words the same scale for a 12v would apply to an 8v.

12-14-2008, 08:11 AM	#2
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,419	Re: Using a Hydrometer on an 8v battery Yes, the difference in voltage is a result of the number of cells of 2+ volts each connected in series within the battery. That is why a 6v has 3 cells and an 8v has 4

12-14-2008, 12:00 PM	#4
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,419	Re: Using a Hydrometer on an 8v battery Yes.

12-14-2008, 12:23 PM	#5
gornoman Stay thirsty my friends! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Suburban Chicago Posts: 24,291	Re: Using a Hydrometer on an 8v battery Voltage has no bearing. You are measuring specific gravity of each cell, not the entire battery. You need to measure the electrolyte under every cap of every battery. Each cap represents it's own cell.

12-14-2008, 06:40 PM	#9
RedDog Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Lowell, MI Bradenton, FL Posts: 9	Re: Using a Hydrometer on an 8v battery I can see where that would be confusing as the specific gravity chart correlates sg to battery voltage on a 12V battery.

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12-15-2008, 10:09 AM	#10
GLEEMO just leave me alone Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 5,643	Re: Using a Hydrometer on an 8v battery Yes it could throw one off except for the fact that as stated above, you are really measuring each cell. So it matters not whether the battery has 6 cells (12 Volt) , 3 cells (6 Volt) or 4 Cells (8 Volt) since it's per cell .