I think I killed four batteries

Kwajdiver · June 14, 2009, 01:16:05 PM

I believe I have killed four fairly new house batteries. When I was getting ready to the trip to Cape Kennedy I added water to all four batteries. More water than I thought I should have to add. Now their not taking a charge. I keep a 2 amp slow charge on them all the time. Woulen't think that would kill them, but that may use the water faster than I thought it would.

Any thoughts,

Bill

jackhartjr · June 14, 2009, 01:24:45 PM

Are they not taking a charge because they are full of juice?
Overfilling should not cause dead batteries.
Jack

Kwajdiver · June 14, 2009, 02:08:36 PM

I think they are not taking a charge because they were too long, low on water.

Bill

JackConrad · June 14, 2009, 03:47:16 PM

Was the water level below the top of the plates before you filled them? Jack

Eric · June 14, 2009, 03:50:09 PM

Go Here: http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=12250.0

this is my last post if this doesn't work for you I can walk you through Physically rebuilding your batteries..more then likely what has occured is the batteries "Boiled out" when this happens the amount of sulfates between the plates greatly increases hence shorting the battery and significantly if not totally reducing performance...My post will walk you through it if you need help msg me. Worse Case I can walk you through Rebuilding your batteries.

Kwajdiver · June 15, 2009, 03:45:09 PM

Jack, yes the water was below the plates.

I have one on a 10 amp charge presently. Going to let it ride for an hour, (the shock), then charge it overnight on 2 amps. We'll see what happens. If this doesn't work then I will try Ekhedge's way.

Does anyone see a problem with leaving a charger on 2 amps hook to the batteries all the time?

Bill

JackConrad · June 15, 2009, 04:04:11 PM

Quote from: Kwajdiver on June 15, 2009, 03:45:09 PM
Does anyone see a problem with leaving a charger on 2 amps hook to the batteries all the time?
Bill

Bill,
It depends on the charger. If it is an autiomatic charger, it shoiuld shut down when the battery is fully charged. A manual charger would contine ti charge the battery, eventually overcharging it. Jack

Kwajdiver · June 15, 2009, 04:38:30 PM

Jack,

Okay, this could be a problem. The charger I use on house batteries is a Manual.

Presently the batter is looking at 13.07. I'm now using a Diehard Automatic, set on 2 amps.

Looks like I will be buying a new battery charger tomorrow.

Bill

niles500 · June 15, 2009, 06:28:28 PM

Buy one of these - can be found on sale lots of places cheaper - FWIW

http://www.batterytender.com/

Jerry Liebler · June 15, 2009, 06:50:33 PM

If your batterys were charged, by a dumb charger, till they were "boiled" dry they are severly sulphated.
Sometimes they can be recovered by a thorough equalising charge. An equalising charge will force a 12 volt battery to charge by holding a voltage of 15.5 or more volts on it, this can cause serious rise in temperature and must be carefully monitored. Sometimes the application of a pulser from http://leadacidbatterydesulfation.yuku.com/ will recover them. Sometimes adding a chemical called EDTA will remove enough of the sulphates to restore some capacity. Sometimes they are simply destroyed.
The "rebuilding" with epsom salts is not likely to save them, it is IMHO very bad science.
Regards
Jerry 4107 1120

Eric · June 19, 2009, 04:02:21 PM

Quote from: Jerry Liebler on June 15, 2009, 06:50:33 PM

The "rebuilding" with epsom salts is not likely to save them, it is IMHO very bad science.
Regards
Jerry 4107 1120

BAD SCIENCE? Try HIGH SCHOOL Chemistry!