Proper way to check batteries?

SHAWN DAVIS · 08-12-2011, 07:50 PM

Finished the 48 volt conversion about 6 months ago, 8 6 volt batteries, about a year on the 6 batts, other 2 6 months old. Seems to be losing run time....
Whats the proper way to check these batteries to see if I have a dud???

scottyb · 08-12-2011, 08:32 PM

A refractameter

scottyb · 08-12-2011, 08:35 PM

A draw-down machine is truly the very best tool for battery analysis coupled with a hydrometer or refractometer to pin-point problems ... findings.

SHAWN DAVIS · 08-15-2011, 09:47 AM

I got something going on, full charge showed 49.0 volts, dropped to 44 running and only got a half mile of run time..dropped to 35.00

rabbitreborn · 08-15-2011, 10:38 PM

That is an easy check....

Use a digital multimeter and test 1 battery at a time by attaching the test leads to the battery and then driving the cart. One of them is dropping out rapidly and it should present itself quite noticebly.......

SHAWN DAVIS · 08-16-2011, 08:07 AM

saw one dropped to 3 volts, others were 5.9 to 6.1 range. Looks like one for sure, may go ahead and trade up for some trojans.
Wondering about the range on 6 8 volts?
or even 4 12 volt trojans?

smallblock450sl · 08-16-2011, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHAWN DAVIS

saw one dropped to 3 volts, others were 5.9 to 6.1 range. Looks like one for sure, may go ahead and trade up for some trojans.
Wondering about the range on 6 8 volts?
or even 4 12 volt trojans?

Run away from the 4 12 idea!!!, just no run time. 6- 8's have proven to work,but 8-6's would be the best, just cost more and more weight. I'm going to tell you why, you can put more lead into a 8 volt then a 12 volt, you can put more lead into a 6 volt then an 8 volt. More lead-equals better run time/performance. Some may disagree, lets here there thoughts.

rib33024 · 08-16-2011, 07:55 PM

This is the truth in my book, the info here that smallblock450sl has told you is the best way to get longer run time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smallblock450sl

Run away from the 4 12 idea!!!, just no run time. 6- 8's have proven to work,but 8-6's would be the best, just cost more and more weight. I'm going to tell you why, you can put more lead into a 8 volt then a 12 volt, you can put more lead into a 6 volt then an 8 volt. More lead-equals better run time/performance. Some may disagree, lets here there thoughts.

08-12-2011, 07:50 PM	#1
SHAWN DAVIS Gone Wild Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 183	Proper way to check batteries? Finished the 48 volt conversion about 6 months ago, 8 6 volt batteries, about a year on the 6 batts, other 2 6 months old. Seems to be losing run time.... Whats the proper way to check these batteries to see if I have a dud???
SHAWN DAVIS Gone Wild Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 183

08-12-2011, 08:32 PM	#2
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,419	Re: Proper way to check batteries? A refractameter

08-12-2011, 08:35 PM	#3
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,419	Re: Proper way to check batteries? A draw-down machine is truly the very best tool for battery analysis coupled with a hydrometer or refractometer to pin-point problems ... findings.

08-15-2011, 09:47 AM	#4
SHAWN DAVIS Gone Wild Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 183	Re: Proper way to check batteries? I got something going on, full charge showed 49.0 volts, dropped to 44 running and only got a half mile of run time..dropped to 35.00
SHAWN DAVIS Gone Wild Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 183

08-15-2011, 10:38 PM	#5
rabbitreborn Gone Wild Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Florida Posts: 2,757	Re: Proper way to check batteries? That is an easy check.... Use a digital multimeter and test 1 battery at a time by attaching the test leads to the battery and then driving the cart. One of them is dropping out rapidly and it should present itself quite noticebly.......

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08-16-2011, 08:07 AM	#6
SHAWN DAVIS Gone Wild Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 183	Re: Proper way to check batteries? saw one dropped to 3 volts, others were 5.9 to 6.1 range. Looks like one for sure, may go ahead and trade up for some trojans. Wondering about the range on 6 8 volts? or even 4 12 volt trojans?
SHAWN DAVIS Gone Wild Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 183

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