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Old 12-12-2012, 08:20 AM   #1
Rickochet
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Default Is There A Need To Charge My Batteries

I have an '07 PDS I bought last spring and it came with new batteries. I brought it home Nov 1 to be stored in my garage until spring. The game plan was to charge and check water about once a month. When I brought it home the DVM showed 38.2v. After over 5 weeks it still reads 38.2 and occasionally blinks to 38.1.

Regardless of the voltage would it be a good idea to charge it once per month anywho?

Also, I only drive this a few miles per week at the lake and charge it Saturday night before heading home on Sunday with the stock QE charger. I was initially concerned about leaving it parked without the charger for weeks at a time but have left it 4 weeks and when I got to the lake it was at 38.2v. This plus the fact that I have never had to add water to the batteries is amazing. Is this because of the minimal use of the cart or is this something unusual?

Rick
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Old 12-12-2012, 10:54 AM   #2
kab69440
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Default Re: Is There A Need To Charge My Batteries

The batteries will gas more and need to be filled more often as they age. I consider a monthly charge to be minimal maintenance. My batteries are two years old and still holding a rested charge of 38.8v. You ate losing charge, just not as much as aged batteries.
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Old 12-12-2012, 01:49 PM   #3
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Default Re: Is There A Need To Charge My Batteries



Sounds like you've got a good set of batteries, the tops are kept clean and there is little, if any, parasitic drain on them.

As kab said, they will self-discharge and gas more as they age.

However there is something that is often overlooked, that being electrolyte stratification.

The electrolyte is a mixture of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and water (H2O) and being heavier, the acid settles to the bottom when the electrolyte isn't being agitated.

Normally, the electrolyte sloshing around while the cart is moving and the gassing during the charge that occurs after each use, keeps it pretty well mixed, but when the cart is sitting for extended periods of time, the Specific Gravity at the top of the cells is considerably lower than what it is at the bottom of the cells, so the upper portion of the cell is effectively at a lower State of Charge than the lower part.

The tricky part is that a high impedance voltmeter, like a DVM, reads the highest State of Charge that is located low on the plate and the upper portion of the plates may be as much as 10% to 20% lower.

The electrolyte is mixed throughout the charge cycle, but mostly during the gassing phase, so it is a good idea to charge at least once a month even though the voltage may not show the need.
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Old 12-12-2012, 02:46 PM   #4
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Default Re: Is There A Need To Charge My Batteries

Thanks kab and Johnnie for the info. The batteries are charging as we chat.

Just a curiosity question. My batteries do not have any names or brand on them. They are just plain black with round white caps with the date stamp on the posts. The cart dealer gets these batteries by the pallet load and called them "black box trojans" and said that they are made by Trojan. Is there such a thing or is he blowing smoke twixt me cheeks? I guess it doesn't matter as they seem to be performing well.
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Old 12-12-2012, 02:57 PM   #5
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Default Re: Is There A Need To Charge My Batteries

The Trojan "Black Box" 6V battery is basically a T-605 (210AH) in an unlabeled case that Trojan sells in bulk quantities.

Since you cart usage is fairly light, they ought to serve you well for many years if you take care of them, which it sounds like you are doing.
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Old 12-12-2012, 04:27 PM   #6
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Default Re: Is There A Need To Charge My Batteries

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Originally Posted by JohnnieB View Post
The Trojan "Black Box" 6V battery is basically a T-605 (210AH) in an unlabeled case that Trojan sells in bulk quantities.

Since you cart usage is fairly light, they ought to serve you well for many years if you take care of them, which it sounds like you are doing.
Thanks Johnnie. BTW, I really like your cap.
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Old 12-12-2012, 06:32 PM   #7
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Default Re: Is There A Need To Charge My Batteries

Trojan makes the "black box battery" for Worldwide Battery. I have received them with and without the Worldwide decals. Their equivalent to a T105 Trojan is a T-1050E if I remember correctly. I have been using them for a couple years with good success. They seem to hold up better than Interstate, Duracell, etc. Also cheaper than Trojans.
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Old 12-12-2012, 06:48 PM   #8
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Default Re: Is There A Need To Charge My Batteries

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rickochet View Post
I have an '07 PDS I bought last spring and it came with new batteries. I brought it home Nov 1 to be stored in my garage until spring. The game plan was to charge and check water about once a month. When I brought it home the DVM showed 38.2v. After over 5 weeks it still reads 38.2 and occasionally blinks to 38.1.

Regardless of the voltage would it be a good idea to charge it once per month anywho?

Also, I only drive this a few miles per week at the lake and charge it Saturday night before heading home on Sunday with the stock QE charger. I was initially concerned about leaving it parked without the charger for weeks at a time but have left it 4 weeks and when I got to the lake it was at 38.2v. This plus the fact that I have never had to add water to the batteries is amazing. Is this because of the minimal use of the cart or is this something unusual?

Rick
When the cart is used and recharged the initial charge rate is higher than it is when you do a refresh charge. The higher current raises the temp of the batteries more and the water evaporates more easily at increased temps. This is one reason you haven't needed to refill the water yet. Once you start using the cart, keep an eye on them as they will use more water! Also summer temps will increase the evaporation as well as current caused temp!
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Old 12-12-2012, 07:43 PM   #9
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Default Re: Is There A Need To Charge My Batteries

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Originally Posted by simple man View Post
When the cart is used and recharged the initial charge rate is higher than it is when you do a refresh charge. The higher current raises the temp of the batteries more and the water evaporates more easily at increased temps. This is one reason you haven't needed to refill the water yet. Once you start using the cart, keep an eye on them as they will use more water! Also summer temps will increase the evaporation as well as current caused temp!
Thanks for the info.
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Old 12-13-2012, 11:47 AM   #10
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Default Smell While Charging

I plugged the cart in to charge this morning. It is in my 2 car garage. I went out to check on it and I could smell something kind of sulfurish. I have never charged the cart in a closed garage before, always outside. I opened the garage door and the outside door to air the place out.

I am guessing this is normal outgassing during the charge process.

Should I be noticing this smell? Also, is the gas explosive?
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