I have four group 31 batteries in my bus for starting. This is the factory configuration. Anyhow, this sprring the battery bank will not charge above 20 volts no matter how long I charge them at 10 amps. If I charge them at 30 amps they will get to 23 volts and start the bus once. The alternator will not get them above 20 volts.
Anyhow, they are 11 months old so I took all four batteries back to the truck parts place I bought them from. They tested the batteries and found one with a bad cell. I cannot get the other three batteries to charge to 12 volts with my charger. The parts place would not replace the other three batteries since they don't test bad.
Should I be insisting on all new batteries since the battery with the bad cell likely killed the other three? Or, do I just bite the bullet and buy three new ones? They are $67.50 each which is downright cheap for group 31 batteries these days.
i'd say if the parts place can't bring tham back to full voltage and an adequate load capability, they are dead and you are due replacement.
I don;t think one dead cell will kill the other batteries...however it will cause them not to charge completely when hooked to the bad one.
furthermore, your new one will have a reduced life as it will seek the level of the three older ones.
Batteries should alsways be replaced in sets
I will admit the batteries got abused a bit by being discharged a fair bit over the winter. I did charge them about once a month. My disconnect switch doesn't kill the DDEC, WTEC, and a few other things.
If the three old batteries won't charge up I will make one more attempt at new ones and then just buy new ones if they refuse.
The guys in service said all of the batteries were junk, but the parts manager retested them with his tester and would only replace the one battery.
We sell Interstate batteries, and their warranty is prorated as are most. However, they will replace for new for 18 months, just because you don't like them. I would suggest you call the manufacturer and ask about warranty.
The warranty is one year non prorated. Don't know if there is even a warranty at all beyond one year. These are cheap batteries and are $15 to $20 or even more less than other batteries. Being cheap doesn't mean the warranty should not be honored.
The origianl batteries don't seem to have a manufacturer listed. The new battery they gave me is from Vulcan, but no guarantee the old batteries are from Vulcan.
Do as I did and bite the bullet! Buy 4 new batteries and also buy an on-board marine battery charger! It keeps the batteries topped off while sitting idle as long as you have 110 going to the charger and the charger is hard wired to the set of 4. It was the best investment so far on the bus and has paid for itself by merely not having the hassle of dead batteries or having to charge them before I decide to go anywhere! If I decide to leave, I simply unplug the charger and turn my cut-off switches on and crank it up! Each and every time so far! I bought, actually replaced by retailer from them being dead, my batteries 2 at a time and they are only 2 months apart in mfgr. date. Are they expensive batteries? No! Got them at Sam's Club and I think they have Champion labels and they are 975cca each!
BS
Ouch! Sounds like an $expensive$ education. Yeah, about the same answer...starting batts don't like to sit around in a discharged condition. Curious...was the water level a problem charging on your charger?
Sounds like maybe also you have a problem with your charger. Best guess here is that your charger should be putting out well over 30 volts to bring your set of four up to around 28 or sosss volts.
Don't feel too bad. I toasted my fairly new set of two 8D's by forgetting that I had the charger on them. Thought the thing was turned off. Wrong. Boiled both batts very dry. AUGGGHHHHHH! :) :) :)
I agree with blacksheep on the battery charger. My only road problems have been batteries. When I purchased this bus, I installed a battery charger/maintainer and hard wired to 110 system. Put in two new batteries because PO had left cables loose. I check electrolyte every two weeks and have lost very little. It starts when you push the button!
I plan to install a Battery Tender battery charger that will properly charge the batteries.
I've been charging one battery for three or four days now at 2 amps and the voltage has dropped from 7.5 volts on Friday to 6.5 volts today. How long should I keep charging it?
It something doesn't change by Tuesday morning I will take the three remaining batteries back and insist they replace them under warranty as they don't charge up. If they won't replace them I will just buy three news ones and chalk it up to experience.
I ordered a 24 volt Battery Tender and it will be here by end of the week.
Brian,
Where did you get your tender from?
I found a steal for a 24vdc 3 stage charger last year and bought it, but would like a small tender that would only have power when on a shore connection.
Cliff
Quote from: belfert on May 25, 2008, 09:29:53 AM
I've been charging one battery for three or four days now at 2 amps and the voltage has dropped from 7.5 volts on Friday to 6.5 volts today. How long should I keep charging it?
Brian,
You have whats known as an exchange core, it should have at least picked up a surface charge of more voltage, not lost any.
Cliff
Brian... if the battery is only reading 6.5 VOLTS it is dead, dead, dead. Replace it
Voltage should go up or down minimally, but Charge rate should peak then level off, depending on your charger, you'll want to see it read out in AMPS not voltage.
Bite the bullet, buy batteries... you , by your own words have abused them horribly!
Dallas
Quote from: belfert on May 25, 2008, 09:29:53 AM
I've been charging one battery for three or four days now at 2 amps and the voltage has dropped from 7.5 volts on Friday to 6.5 volts today. How long should I keep charging it?
It something doesn't change by Tuesday morning I will take the three remaining batteries back and insist they replace them under warranty as they don't charge up. If they won't replace them I will just buy three news ones and chalk it up to experience.
I ordered a 24 volt Battery Tender and it will be here by end of the week.
I bought my 24 volt Power Tender Plus (Made by the Battery Tender folks) from Batterymart.com for about $85 shipped.
I'll most likely have to bite the bullet and pay for three new batteries, but there is the chance that one battery with a bad cell killed the rest.
Quote from: belfert on May 25, 2008, 03:34:20 PM
I'll most likely have to bite the bullet and pay for three new batteries, but there is the chance that one battery with a bad cell killed the rest.
About "one battery with a bad cell killed the rest".....that not true....it has nothing to do with killing other 3 batteries. Read on:
Belfert...
Apparently that battery dealer you have taken to doesn't know how to take care of you....they should have charge all 4 batteries over night first before testing.
About brand name labeled batteries is within warranty having problem.....by all mean take it to your dealer and have them charge up before any battery testing. They are too weak to be tested correctly and if it doesn't charge up to spec....then they have to give you the adjustment toward new replacement. Otherwise they can test your batteries for load and life condition.
About no brand name on battery....just doesn't expect any service from dealer. You learn a lesson to never go by prices alone but search for a good brand name, warranty and then prices that meet your need or requirement.
If you do buy new batteries by all mean get 4 same brand, same dated and with good warranty. Suggest to buy at populae chain retailer so you can get serivce wherever you travel.
FWIW
Sojourn for Christ, Jerry
I basically did the dealer's work for them. I took the batteries home and was able to charge them for 6 to 8 hours each before I brought them back. The voltage was a lot better, but nowhere close to a full 12 volts. The service department said they all four should be replaced, but the parts dept would only replace one of them.
I would like to buy other batteries, but I already have one new battery and the cost from another place would probably be $20 each more expensive. The new battery at least has a brand name this time. I believe even if these batteries are cheap that keeping them on a Battery Tender will make them last a whole lot longer.
Quote "I basically did the dealer's work for them." unquoted....That where your problem is.
Belfert....what I mean to let them (the place you purchase from) charge it to prove that no good or is good after they done charging. It may take a few days on their charger but you have the proof in front their eyes for warranty adjustment if needed.
It your money....however the way you choose, but that what I would have done for my 67 dollar purchase or whatever price battery.
FWIW
Sojourn for Christ, Jerry
The final resolution is I got three of the four batteries replaced under warranty. I had charged one battery for over a week at two amps and it never went over 7.5 volts. The counter guy at the parts place had no problem replacing the two batteries I had not charged as his tester would not power up, but he would not replace the battery I charged since his tester showed low voltage.
I decided not to argue and just bought one new battery to match the other three new ones.
My Battery Tender arrived late last week and I will get that installed when I install the new batteries so I shouldn't have problems again.
I used these on my Motorcycle and my 12volt Generator battery in the RV
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TWO-WILDFIRE-12V-BATTERY-TRICKLE-FLOAT-CHARGER-F_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35557QQihZ018QQitemZ280232553903QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
They worked great for me
The Harbor Freight ones would not work or last for me - went thru 3 of those
Pete -Your mileage may vary
I bought a Power Tender Plus 24 volt made by the Battery Tender folks. I hope it isn't a piece of junk since I paid 70 some dollars for it. My starting battery bank is 24 volts so that makes finding a trickle charger that much more difficult.
Interestingly enough, my generator will start even in the middle of the winter with a battery that I have never charged. I have no idea how old the battery is, but it is at least three years old and probably a lot older than that.
Brian,
It's amazing how robust some batteries are..
I had a '62 Chevy 3/4 ton with a flat bed I bought at a junk store. It had the 292 engine, a 4 speed stick and mounted on the side under the bed was an 8D battery of unknown manufacture... The only thing readable on the battery was a date that said, "Jan 67". I bought the truck in '77 and drove it with the same battery until 1994... even through Fargo winters, it would fire up, charge and even jump off the Peterbilts we had running over the road.
I'd love to find another bunch of batteries like that.. but maybe it's all part of planned obsolescence. They don't want us to have batteries like that... they aren't s'pose to last more than a few years.
Dallas