Why battery drain, then won't charge?

[edboyles]

I have experianced on both a 1998 TXT Series and a 70's modelTaylor Dunn B-248 that if not driven the batteries will drain to the point that the automatic 36v charger wont kick on and I have to individually charge the 6v batteries for the 36v charger to kick in.

Its so aggravating............

It sounds like that with the key off, there has to be some discharge going on? Like a leaking solenoid? Any suggestions?

Would using one of the newer chargers help such that it maintains with a trickle charge to keep the batteries up?

[edboyles]

The Series TXT is all stock with a Curtis controller. The TD is coil resistor type.

[mfinnegan]

do you have a voltage reducer on it for any accessories?

how long are the batteries sitting there unused before you realize they are dead?

did you take your multimeter to the pack and just start unplugging stuff to find the parasitic amp draw? Google that, there are a few ways to test for parasitic amp draw.

batteries do self discharge on their own like 4% a week or so....

[edboyles]

I do not have any voltage reducer on either.

I have to charge every two weeks to keep from falling below the charge threshold.

Would a new DPI Accusense charger help with this? Obviously I need to find the discharge.......

[Threeput]

If tops of batteries are not clean ...you could get tracking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7USuMn8wfg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5zLxD74r20

[edboyles]

Thank you! Very informative!