new batteries in a discharged state

rockfordpi

How long would you think new batteries could sit discharged before being damaged and/or un-recoverable?

Guy has a cart with 1 year old batteries. At some point after he put in the new batts (said about a month ago, but you know how that is) his charger broke and he parked the cart. He offered me a good deal on it if the batteries turn out to be ok. However, it has been sitting for an indeterminate amount of time with batts down

BGW

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Muddog

That depends on how much they are discharged.
Does the cart run in present state?
Can you test batteries? What is pack voltage?
What is water level? Was it maintained? Did they freeze?
Who made batteries. I know Trojans withstand discharge better than Interstate.
I've seen Trojans go low and recover, the Interstates it usually take a couple of them out.
What kind of cart? If it's a DS, it's less prone to self discharge.
There's alot of variables involved, even when you fill in the blanks you may not get the right answer.
If the cart's been sitting for a few months and the pack is above 34 or 35 volts, they're a quality battery, the plates were never exposed and they didn't freeze. They should recover. But most likely they have lost some of their life.
When I look at a cart like this, I assume batteries are done.
If not, all is good, if so, oh well.

NoleFan4Ever

Take your charger over there and hook it up and fully charge them. Then drive it a few times and recharge it. Then wait 12 hours or so and then check each individual battery. This will give you a good snap-shot at the battery condition.

rockfordpi

Thanks guys for all the info. He is telling me now that he actually drove the cart 'about a month ago' and that is when his charger went bad. That makes me feel a little better. I am going to take a meter and check voltage and go from there.

scottyb

Take a good charger with you.