Load testing with no hills...

LizardLeg · 07-11-2011, 04:04 PM

I need to test two batteries in my pack that ran down realllly low - as I live in South Louisiana, well, there aren't any hills.

Suggestions on how to accomplish a load test?

LizardLeg · 07-12-2011, 08:37 AM

Anyone? It took 27 hours but the charger finally kicked off for these two batteries and said they were charged. After sitting overnight, pack voltage is at 51.7. But would like to load test them so I don't get left in the woods...

LizardLeg · 07-12-2011, 11:01 PM

okay - one more try. Batteries sat for about 12 hours. Pack voltage at 51.6. Pulled out into the street floored it and my meter dropped to 44 for a 1/4 second, then back up to 47.1 up to 48, depending on the slight grade. Drove it for about 3 miles around the neighborhood, lots of slowdowns for the turns and full power out of the curves and turns. Ending voltage 50.2.

Can anyone explain what the numbers above are telling me if anything?

Thanks...

dougmcp · 07-12-2011, 11:19 PM

Your batteries sound like they are fine.
Pack voltage of 51.6 is just over 100%.
A drop of less than 15% under full throttle is OK as well (yours is 14%).
I don't think you need to load test these batteries, just keep them charged.

LizardLeg · 07-12-2011, 11:26 PM

Thanks!

scottyb · 07-12-2011, 11:31 PM

Get a voltage reducer to avoid this situation in the future

LizardLeg · 07-13-2011, 02:10 AM

That wasn't the issue - my deep cycle marine charger only had a few strands of copper holding the alligator clip on. Charged and when I went to take it off o go riding the clips were too hit to touch and that clip actually broke off the cable. Pack voltage seemed fine so we went riding and made it a long way but ended up c r a w l i n g back to camp with literally no juice left. 6 batteries, the ones charged through the delta Q read a little over 6 volts each - these two read about 3v each. Still not 100% sure I didn't fry them.

scottyb · 07-13-2011, 08:59 AM

It is hard on a battery to be drawn down to 3v. Some permenant damage has been done. You will just have to figure out how much by monitoring the pack. this becomes harder to do with two separate chargers. Try to get the 2 'packs' equal and then check them closely after draw down (use).

The best thing you can do here is get a 48v charger for the whole pack and spread those 2 out in the pack. That is just opinion.

LizardLeg · 07-13-2011, 09:11 AM

Trying to get the charger - need to sell my delta q off first I guess.

Let's say these two batteries are 7 and 8 in my pack. Right now batteries 1-6 are charged from the Delta Q - and 7 and 8 from the 12v charger. If I swapped these into the bagwell, so they charge off of the Delta Q with batteries 1-4, would that be better until I know if they are shot? It's a long walk back to the camp if I get stranded...

scottyb · 07-13-2011, 10:38 AM

You should be able to access their health with a hydrometer and a voltmeter. I would force charge them fairly high right now and let them settle for about 18 even 24 hours and check voltage and specific gravity..... then write down the standing voltage of every battery in the pack to the 100th of a volt (6.37) and run the cart for 30 min. to an hour, and immediately recheck the voltages on all the batteries. Compare the second readings to the first readings and you will have an pretty good answer to your question

07-11-2011, 04:04 PM	#1
LizardLeg New Cart Security System Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Gonzales, LA Posts: 463	Load testing with no hills... I need to test two batteries in my pack that ran down realllly low - as I live in South Louisiana, well, there aren't any hills. Suggestions on how to accomplish a load test?

07-12-2011, 08:37 AM	#2
LizardLeg New Cart Security System Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Gonzales, LA Posts: 463	Re: Load testing with no hills... Anyone? It took 27 hours but the charger finally kicked off for these two batteries and said they were charged. After sitting overnight, pack voltage is at 51.7. But would like to load test them so I don't get left in the woods...

07-12-2011, 11:01 PM	#3
LizardLeg New Cart Security System Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Gonzales, LA Posts: 463	Re: Load testing with no hills... okay - one more try. Batteries sat for about 12 hours. Pack voltage at 51.6. Pulled out into the street floored it and my meter dropped to 44 for a 1/4 second, then back up to 47.1 up to 48, depending on the slight grade. Drove it for about 3 miles around the neighborhood, lots of slowdowns for the turns and full power out of the curves and turns. Ending voltage 50.2. Can anyone explain what the numbers above are telling me if anything? Thanks...

07-12-2011, 11:19 PM	#4
dougmcp Gone Wild Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 2,757	Re: Load testing with no hills... Your batteries sound like they are fine. Pack voltage of 51.6 is just over 100%. A drop of less than 15% under full throttle is OK as well (yours is 14%). I don't think you need to load test these batteries, just keep them charged.

07-12-2011, 11:26 PM	#5
LizardLeg New Cart Security System Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Gonzales, LA Posts: 463	Re: Load testing with no hills... Thanks!

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07-12-2011, 11:31 PM	#6
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,408	Re: Load testing with no hills... Get a voltage reducer to avoid this situation in the future

07-13-2011, 02:10 AM	#7
LizardLeg New Cart Security System Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Gonzales, LA Posts: 463	Re: Load testing with no hills... That wasn't the issue - my deep cycle marine charger only had a few strands of copper holding the alligator clip on. Charged and when I went to take it off o go riding the clips were too hit to touch and that clip actually broke off the cable. Pack voltage seemed fine so we went riding and made it a long way but ended up c r a w l i n g back to camp with literally no juice left. 6 batteries, the ones charged through the delta Q read a little over 6 volts each - these two read about 3v each. Still not 100% sure I didn't fry them.

07-13-2011, 08:59 AM	#8
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,408	Re: Load testing with no hills... It is hard on a battery to be drawn down to 3v. Some permenant damage has been done. You will just have to figure out how much by monitoring the pack. this becomes harder to do with two separate chargers. Try to get the 2 'packs' equal and then check them closely after draw down (use). The best thing you can do here is get a 48v charger for the whole pack and spread those 2 out in the pack. That is just opinion.

07-13-2011, 09:11 AM	#9
LizardLeg New Cart Security System Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Gonzales, LA Posts: 463	Re: Load testing with no hills... Trying to get the charger - need to sell my delta q off first I guess. Let's say these two batteries are 7 and 8 in my pack. Right now batteries 1-6 are charged from the Delta Q - and 7 and 8 from the 12v charger. If I swapped these into the bagwell, so they charge off of the Delta Q with batteries 1-4, would that be better until I know if they are shot? It's a long walk back to the camp if I get stranded...

07-13-2011, 10:38 AM	#10
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,408	Re: Load testing with no hills... You should be able to access their health with a hydrometer and a voltmeter. I would force charge them fairly high right now and let them settle for about 18 even 24 hours and check voltage and specific gravity..... then write down the standing voltage of every battery in the pack to the 100th of a volt (6.37) and run the cart for 30 min. to an hour, and immediately recheck the voltages on all the batteries. Compare the second readings to the first readings and you will have an pretty good answer to your question

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