04-05-2011, 04:51 PM | #1 |
Gone Wild
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: North Ga.
Posts: 312
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Testing batteries
I just want to make sure the proper way to test my batteries. I just bought a hydrometer and I've already have a digital voltmeter. I have them all charged to start with, how long am I suppose to wait be for I start my test?
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04-05-2011, 05:50 PM | #2 |
Happy Carting
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 73,358
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Re: Testing batteries
You should wait a min of 12 hours after the completed charge.
Here is a chart to show what 100% is voltage wise. A reading above 100% means the batteries are still settling. |
04-05-2011, 06:48 PM | #3 |
I Refuse To Get Stuck!!!
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Hilton,NY
Posts: 5,427
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Re: Testing batteries
If you know anyone with a good load-tester,this is a quick easy test.Harbor-Freight has a large one(It will load 500amps) for $80.I use this same unit on my service-truck,i've had it for 3 years,no problems.I compared it against my electronic hand-held load-tester($180 from Snap-On)and also against my roll-around shop-size unit and its' dead-on.If you use a load-tester it must be capable of loading 1/2 of the cca of the battery to test it properly(500amp tester,1000 cca).Hope this helps.
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04-05-2011, 07:21 PM | #4 |
Gone Wild
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: North Ga.
Posts: 312
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Re: Testing batteries
Well, I did the test 1 hour after full charge and I only had (3) batteries that read in the good range. I'll do another test tomorrow. I'm testing ( 6 volt batteries. Would it be ok to test them later than 12 hours, say 24 hours?
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04-06-2011, 08:11 AM | #5 |
Gone Wild
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: South Texas
Posts: 2,391
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Re: Testing batteries
I hope you purchased a single float hydrometer with temp correcting scale rather than a antifreeze multi float unit which is great for its use BUT NOT BATTERYS.
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04-06-2011, 08:36 AM | #6 |
Respect the Cart
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Rocky Mount, Virginia
Posts: 2,190
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Re: Testing batteries
I'm with Pachanga90 on this. A set of batteries is a huge investment and a good load tester is the best possible diagnostic tool yet no one seems to be that interested in using one. If you were to use the tester say once a month you could then find a weak battery before it causes a problem. Here are (imho) three good reasons to use the load tester as the primary tool.
1. The tester will identify a weak battery before it starts to literally suck the life out of the pack 2. Getting that weak battery out of there will stop your charger overcharging the other 5/7 and shortening their lives 3. By identifying and replacing the weak battery you are spreading the cost of replacing the pack over a longer period thus avoiding the pain of a ~$700 expense in on hit. I am sure that there are as many opinions as there are guys on this forum but can anyone show me the error in my logic. Dave |
04-06-2011, 10:12 AM | #7 |
Gone Wild
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: South Texas
Posts: 2,391
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Re: Testing batteries
I started working on batterys in 1944 when we were still replacing cells and most new batterys were still 2 years away? All we had were hydrometers and what we called a pile tester ( load tester ) but I was always able to predict battery going bad long before it showed up on THAT LOAD TESTER? Its all in what you learn and are good with?
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04-06-2011, 10:29 AM | #8 |
Happy Carting
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 73,358
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Re: Testing batteries
My "load tester" is getting dusty. My battery pack draw down machine is more accurate when coupled with the other 2 tools.... For most owners it has always been a combination of 2 or even 3 tests to positively determine a pack &/or individual battery condition.... unless it reads 4v or 2v, I can figure out the dead cell thing
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04-06-2011, 10:32 AM | #9 |
Gone Wild
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: East to Southeast,Texas
Posts: 187
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Re: Testing batteries
The dealer I purchased my cart from used a Load Tester on my batteries and said they were ok. My charger would not shut down so I used a hydrometer made for batteries. The hydrometer found one bad battery. We changed the battery and solved the problem.
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04-06-2011, 11:44 AM | #10 |
Happy Carting
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 73,358
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Re: Testing batteries
The equipment is only as good as the operator, lol.
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