Battery Question

[Davemuzz]

Thanks JonnieieB!! Great explanation!

Now....I have a better understanding of why it's OK to plug in the charger when the batteries are only down ten or twenty percent.....plus....if I read between the lines you are also saying that Colt has lost most of his marbles...........and your not disputing the fact that Colt may well be a molester of some type....as Colt stated in his post!!

I've learned so much from this post today!!!!

Dave

[Coltf1991]

JohnnieB discovered I had lost all of my marbles in my 36v pack so I now have brand new 48v pack sitting in my buggie!

[bigstik40]

I have to agree with davemuzz!!!! Better than a textbook!!

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by Davemuzz

............... Now....I have a better understanding of why it's OK to plug in the charger when the batteries are only down ten or twenty percent............

You don't need to discharge them that far, my routine is plugging the charger in every night and if I don't use the cart, it doesn't get unplugged.

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by Coltf1991

JohnnieB discovered I had lost all of my marbles in my 36v pack so I now have brand new 48v pack sitting in my buggie!

Colt my reference to lost marbles wasn't in reference to your batteries.

[Coltf1991]

Man John, that is cold

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by bigstik40

I have to agree with davemuzz!!!! Better than a textbook!!

I used to teach troubleshooting.

Here is another little tidbit:

No sulfur ions are lost in the discharge/recharge process.
Water is lost through electrolysis (aka gassing in battery parlance),so it has to be replenished.
However sulfuric acid (electrolyte solution) can be lost by tipping the battery too far and spilling, or by overfilling, which is evidenced by puddles of liquid on battery tops after charging.
AND sulfuric acid is lost when Lead Sulfate does not transform back into the original chemicals (Pb, PbO2 and H2SO4) during recharge.

Therefore, if you record the Specific Gravity of your batteries when the are new and don't spill any electrolyte, SG will be an indicator of how badly your plates are sulfated.

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by Coltf1991

Man John, that is cold

Overindulgence in C2H5OH makes one hypersensitive to the relative absences of heat.

BTW - How's your head feeling today?

[Coltf1991]

I am finally recovered. Scotty told me the night of, "you have the next 60 years to regret tonights decisions."

[pearmanbryan]

JohnnieB,
I unplugged the charger when I heard the batteries "boiling". It was still at 10. I waited a little bit then opened all the caps. Water level was "ok" in them except for one. It was about 1/16" below top of plate. I'm getting some distilled water tonight and add to them. Then put back on charge. Should the needle on the charger go all the way down to the green area? Is that a "full" charge?