Battery Voltage Reading

[Fred Mc]

My house system has 2x 6 v golf cart batteries hooked up in series. Before charging the voltage reading was 12.29 which indicated approx 40% discharge. After charging for 24 hours the battery reading (after an hour's rest) was 13.10. So I let the batteries sit for another 6 hours and the reading was 12.95. Since fully charged is 12.73 I'm a little confused. I then put a short drain on the battery (via the headlights) and the voltage dropped to 12.77. Now I'm even more confused.

Can someone enlighten me.

Thanks

Fred Mc.

[Len Silva]

Even though you let them sit for 6 hours, there was still a "surface charge" on the batteries.  That was not dissipated until you put a load on them.

It appears that you are fine.

[scanzel]

Just curious, if these batteries are your house system, why do you have the headlights on the house system. I would think they are usually on the vehicle system.

[Fred Mc]

On my bus I moved the start batteries from the battery compartment to the space formerly occupied  by the a/c pump. I then put a cut-out in for the start batteries so I can disconnect them when boondocking. I then connected the house batteries to the connections formerly used by the start batteries (also with a cut-off switch). When I park I disconnect the start batteries and run off the house batteries. I haven't got around to a separate circuit for the house electrical.

[gus]

Fred,

I do the exact same thing. I have a separate manual disconnect on each battery.

With this system you can have as many or as few batteries as you like.

There is no need for separate circuits if each battery or bank can be disconnected. This makes charging  so simple, you can charge one, two or all as you wish. Stone simple!