Batteries and warranty replacements

[belfert]

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.

[tekebird]

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.

[tekebird]

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

[belfert]

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. 

[bigjohnkub]

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.

[belfert]

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.

[Blacksheep]

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

[HB of CJ]

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! 

[bigjohnkub]

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!

[belfert]

I plan to install a Battery Tender battery charger that will properly charge the batteries. 

[belfert]

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.

[FloridaCliff]

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

[FloridaCliff]

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

[Dallas]

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

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.

[belfert]

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.