Battery Voltage

[Tommy Gun]

Okay Dan, here are all my battery voltages.

Again this is engine off voltages.

I've never seen a battery voltage in the high 12's low 13's before w/ engine off.


Work Van 12.43 volts

(used everyday, just used 15 min before reading)
..................................
GT500 12.27 volts

(has been garaged for over a week)
..................................
Jeep 12.39 volts

(Used 2 days ago)
..................................
Taurus SHO 12.19 volts (I think this is low)

(used last night)
..................................

Track Turd 12.37 volts (battery disconnected)

(not used for 2 months?)
..................................
Honduh 12.30 volts

(used last night)
.................................
Jetski #1 11.31 volts ( definitely a problem here?)

(used 2 weeks ago)
................................
Jetski #2 12.47 volts

(used 2 weeks ago)
...............................


I simply don't see how you are measuring engine off volts near 13 volts ?

I have never done so. :scatchinghead:


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[Carnut]

With DC next door, your voltage is the first to be devalued.

[Tommy Gun]

:groan:


:waiting2:

[tekheavy]

:popcorn:




http://i515.photobucket.com/albums/t358/tekheavy/307b5a9e.jpg

[68fastback]

Okay Dan, here are all my battery voltages.

Again this is engine off voltages.

I've never seen a battery voltage in the high 12's low 13's before w/ engine off.


Work Van 12.43 volts

(used everyday, just used 15 min before reading)
..................................
GT500 12.27 volts

(has been garaged for over a week)
..................................
Jeep 12.39 volts

(Used 2 days ago)
..................................
Taurus SHO 12.19 volts (I think this is low)

(used last night)
..................................

Track Turd 12.37 volts (battery disconnected)

(not used for 2 months?)
..................................
Honduh 12.30 volts

(used last night)
.................................
Jetski #1 11.31 volts ( definitely a problem here?)

(used 2 weeks ago)
................................
Jetski #2 12.47 volts

(used 2 weeks ago)
...............................


I simply don't see how you are measuring engine off volts near 13 volts ?

I have never done so. :scatchinghead:


.







I bet the jetski (not the bad battery) has no parasitic losses, so it will go down only very slowly. Your work van battery is likely a few years old and since you shut it off the PCM is still drawing some current. Remember, I said a *new* full-charged battery with *no* parasitic loss will stabilize (about a minute after having achieved full-charge) near 13.2v.

The chemistry of the wet-cell is 2.2v/cell under those ideal conditions -- even tho you will rarely, if ever, see that level. The one jetski and the work van probably are reading the highest of the group because the jetski likely has no (or extremely low) parasitic losses so even tho it's sat longer it's lost less, and the van because it was driven some distance only recently (15 minutes ago), but the PCM will quickly pull it down from it's maximum to what it's chemistry will presently support. Dunno if that's why those two are the highest, but but that's my guess.

Put another way, take a brand new battery with electrolyte of the correct volume and acidity, put it through a full tapered charge cycle (*not* in a car), disconnect the charger and watch the auto-ranging VOM. It will rapidly drop from the charging voltage down to just above 13.2 and within 1 minute or so will stabilize at some voltage very close but not exceeding) 13.2v ...and then will only very slowly decrease over time. Put any load on it -- even a small load -- and 15 minutes later remove that load and it will be at 12.n ...where your van would be if batt was new/charged/not-connected.

When (and only when) the battery is at 13.2v will the acidity of the electrolyte be 100% correct -- by definition. Assuming the electolyte of the initial fill was the correct volume and acidity, any lowering of electrolyte level due to heat evaporation, etc, concentrates the acid more and actually reduces how close to 13.2 volts the battery can achieve. Similarly, add too much water (bring it up higher than it's initial correct fill) and the electrolyte will be more dilute than ideal and it will also rediuce how close to 13.2 volts the battery can achieve.

Level/concentration, use patterns, load and parasitic losses (including that 'film' on a dirty battery that actually conducts a small amount of voltage between the + and - and is another type of continuous parasitic loss) as well as whether there is any load *presently* on the battery (like the PCM, clock, settings, etc) all will effect the readings you're seeing on a simple under-hood voltage check. Those voltages are not necessarily bad or good (except for the 11.31v jetski, which may have a weak/sulfated cell), they're just reflecting the present condition and chemistry of those batteries at a point in time.

[Tommy Gun]

Um, okay. :grin:

The jetski battery is new and not sure why the low voltage. Taking it back tomorrow.

Gotta look into the SHO battery....not sure why it is so low?

[68fastback]

Um, okay. :grin:

The jetski battery is new and not sure why the low voltage. Taking it back tomorrow.

Gotta look into the SHO battery....not sure why it is so low?

New -- and never fully-charged -- i.e. just installed? It might just need a full charging cycle then, it might have been in storage in the store for months.

[Tommy Gun]

New -- and never fully-charged -- i.e. just installed? It might just need a full charging cycle then, it might have been in storage in the store for months.


I charged both of them w/ trickle charge for a few days before we used them one day, then they sat again.

[68fastback]

I charged both of them w/ trickle charge for a few days before we used them one day, then they sat again.

Hmmmm, must have some problem then ... might have some distorted plates in one cell or something. Charging a small battery at too high a curent can do that (warp the plates) but very unlikely from a trickle charge

[Tommy Gun]

I do know you're not supposed to put a high amp charge on them. I either trickle charge them or use an automatic charger which is 2-3 amps.

These jetski batteries usually last a solid 2 years for us. They also have a full refund 2 year warranty.

Mine is the first one on this page. http://www.odysseybattery.com/marinespecs.html

[Carnut]

http://www.nohomers.net/images/smilies/cricket.gif

[CH53Driver]

http://www.nohomers.net/images/smilies/cricket.gif

[Tommy Gun]

Nice tech thread. :nonono:

.

[68fastback]

I do know you're not supposed to put a high amp charge on them. I either trickle charge them or use an automatic charger which is 2-3 amps.

These jetski batteries usually last a solid 2 years for us. They also have a full refund 2 year warranty.

Mine is the first one on this page. http://www.odysseybattery.com/marinespecs.html

Nice compact unit. Marine batteries are typically very well made and can take lots of physical abuse -- maybe that one is just defective ...I see they're deep-discharge spec is 400 80%-discharge cycles -- that's impressive! Most car batteries if discharged 80% just a few times would never fully recover.

[Tommy Gun]

I just put the trickle charger back on it to see what it does first.

We may take the jetski's out tomorrow.

.

[68fastback]

Nice tech thread. :nonono:

.

Need to move it to the Jetski-500 section :biggrin:

[Tommy Gun]

Mine is a 800 class Seadoo, thank you very much. LOL


http://www.tappedin.com/hop/html/sd_spx.htm

W/ mods running close to 130 HP est.

.

[68fastback]

130 !!!:yikes: Sweet! You could get hurt on that! :look:

[Tommy Gun]

After running it for 10 years now I do hurt. :rofl3:


.

[Tommy Gun]

130 !!!:yikes: Sweet! You could get hurt on that! :look:


CoPilots is bigger, but it is 130hp stock. :faint:

My jet is much lighter and more agile though.

.

[Tommy Gun]

Nice battery thread.

[68fastback]

...they sound like a blast.

...oh, nice battery too :giggle:

[Joe G]

After running it for 10 years now I do hurt. :rofl3:


.

Too many long-distance trips?


http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc289/JoeG_09/Snoop/jetski1-2.jpg

[Tommy Gun]

Too much hang time. :faint:

[Carnut]

I want one of these. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tfwpyd5JguA

[Tommy Gun]

Pretty cool.

Does it come in red?

[Carnut]

Pretty cool.

Does it come in red?

Available colors not announced yet. Red would be my choice

[mustang loco]

I want one of these. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tfwpyd5JguA

Yep,those are cool!!

[68fastback]

Nice!! Pricey at $16K tho (can just about buy a base 2012 Fiesta for that)

I think they need a new division now: Desert Cat :shades:

[Tommy Gun]

After tricle charging the jetski overnight I checked it and it showed 11.10 volts. :nonono:


Went to get my receipt to return and realized I only bought 1 jetski battery when I thought I had changed out both. :nonono:

Guess I'll be buying another one this week.


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[Carnut]

You have too much stuff. :cop2:

[CH53Driver]

You have too much stuff. :cop2:

I thought squirrels liked to hoard? :look:

[Tommy Gun]

You have too much stuff. :cop2:



Precisely.


I could get rid of granny 1/2 of it and be happy....or more.


.

[Carnut]

I thought squirrels liked to hoard? :look:

Not Grannies. No sir.

[CH53Driver]

Not Grannies. No sir.

:giggle:

But you like to harass little ol' ladies right?

[68fastback]

After tricle charging the jetski overnight I checked it and it showed 11.10 volts. :nonono:


Went to get my receipt to return and realized I only bought 1 jetski battery when I thought I had changed out both. :nonono:

Guess I'll be buying another one this week.


.

...that explains it :shades:

[Tommy Gun]

Looking to add one of these to the Transit van.

https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Capacity-Waterproof-Indicator-Backlight/dp/B07C2NJL2V/ref=sr_1_13?dchild=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIte7X0onL7QIVQtyGCh1AEwFQEAMYASAA EgIjy_D_BwE&hvadid=410002795181&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9008533&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=b&hvrand=3613668794772102878&hvtargid=kwd-107043319&hydadcr=24662_11410882&keywords=battery+meter&qid=1607867461&sr=8-13&tag=googhydr-20


It says it works on Lithium and lead acid batteries. My batteries are AGM batteries if I remember correctly and I assume they are still lead acid, just built different.

And wonder if adding this would this device have a current draw or not enough to worry about.

Van is a couple years old now and I want to keep an eye on the battery condition more often because work depends on it.

.

[68fastback]

That's a good price considering the delivery time. eBay is cheaper but January delivery.

Yeah, I wandering about parasitic losses too -- couldn't fine any spec. Even if you leave the setting so it 'sleeps' after 10 seconds it may still be monitoring but I suspect the parasitic loss is very low ...probably a lot less than what the vans parasitic draw is.

AGM should be fine ...on lead-acid setting.

[68fastback]

Alternatively, something like THIS (https://www.amazon.com/Linkstyle-Voltmeter-Waterproof-Terminals-Motorcycle/dp/B07MJGGJFR/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=12v+automotive+meter+battery+meter&qid=1607885153&sr=8-4) might make for a neater install ...could use with a momentary switch so no standing losses.

And these install in a drilled hole with no fasteners... the second one also has high-current USB ports which can be handy (you can clip-off the marine splash cover):
Amazon.com: MICTUNING MIC-VM DC 12V LED Display Voltmeter Waterproof for Boat Marine Vehicle Motorcycle Truck ATV UTV Car Camper Caravan Blue Digital Round Panel: Automotive (https://www.amazon.com/MICTUNING-Display-Voltmeter-Waterproof-Motorcycle/dp/B078LVLHNF/ref=pd_sbs_263_2/138-6651476-7468336?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B078LVLHNF&pd_rd_r=2b8db4fd-31da-4bc2-ad33-a625f29f698f&pd_rd_w=j2m10&pd_rd_wg=qpMOW&pf_rd_p=ed1e2146-ecfe-435e-b3b5-d79fa072fd58&pf_rd_r=4632QC6WX510TESZGRXK&psc=1&refRID=4632QC6WX510TESZGRXK)
Amazon.com: Linkstyle 12V 4.2A Dual USB Charger Socket Power Outlet with LED Digital Display Voltmeter, Waterproof Dual Charging Ports for 12V/24V Car RV Boat Marine Motorcycle Mobile- Blue (https://www.amazon.com/LinkStyle-Voltmeter-Waterproof-Charging-Motorcycle/dp/B07H3SWBVZ/ref=pd_sbs_263_7?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07H3SWBVZ&pd_rd_r=2b8db4fd-31da-4bc2-ad33-a625f29f698f&pd_rd_w=j2m10&pd_rd_wg=qpMOW&pf_rd_p=ed1e2146-ecfe-435e-b3b5-d79fa072fd58&pf_rd_r=4632QC6WX510TESZGRXK&psc=1&refRID=4632QC6WX510TESZGRXK)

[twobjshelbys]

Battery on my truck is now getting where it won't hold a charge. First time it happened was in the summer, and I'd neglected the poor little thing for a couple of weeks and it wouldn't start yesterday. Not totally dead just clicks when I turn it over. Put it on the trickle charger over night and it started this morning. Time for a new battery. This one is about 4 years old which is a long time for an outside car battery here.

[Highwayman]

Battery on my truck is now getting where it won't hold a charge. First time it happened was in the summer, and I'd neglected the poor little thing for a couple of weeks and it wouldn't start yesterday. Not totally dead just clicks when I turn it over. Put it on the trickle charger over night and it started this morning. Time for a new battery. This one is about 4 years old which is a long time for an outside car battery here.

:yikes: You have a vehicle that sits outside???

[twobjshelbys]

:yikes: You have a vehicle that sits outside???

My '04 Ram 1500. Never been in a garage. Doesn't fit. Too long. Paint is fading. It's got patina that will help me register it with antique plates in a few years. (That's stupid!!! But it's the law. And it saves a boatload of money. Some places are switching to 1975 and earlier to qualify...)

[68fastback]

Wow! Wish we had that here. My '92 Ranger would qualify :biggrin:

[Tommy Gun]

Ours is 25 years for antique tags.


So is a gauge that shows volts like 12.3 12.6 12.8 etc as good as one showing 60% 80% 100%....that is what is confusing me.

Is the percentage just representing the voltage and guessing you are “good” between certain voltages?


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[68fastback]

Ours is 25 years for antique tags.


So is a gauge that shows volts like 12.3 12.6 12.8 etc as good as one showing 60% 80% 100%....that is what is confusing me.

Is the percentage just representing the voltage and guessing you are “good” between certain voltages?


.

For lead-acid I'd rather know the actual voltage.
For LiIon I can see percentage being handy because it's hard to gauge them so maybe they know how to do that.

A lead-acid battery will typically be charged at around 14.6-14.7 volts (most Fords) and will settle to 13.2 volts when off charge for a little bit and about 12.8 overnight. Probably should not draw a lead-acid battery down below around 11.5v -- deep discharge batteries may be slightly different (dunno). Not sure if AGMs are different or more/less tolerant but I suspect they are about the same.

[68fastback]

I see in NY State it's 26 years for antique vehicle reg, but then the vehicle can only be used driving to/from shows/events and such ...can't be used for regular transportation. Oh well...

[Tommy Gun]

I see in NY State it's 26 years for antique vehicle reg, but then the vehicle can only be used driving to/from shows/events and such ...can't be used for regular transportation. Oh well...


Same here, but 25 years.

I think people just claim they are going to an event or a shop for repairs. Lol


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[Tommy Gun]

For lead-acid I'd rather know the actual voltage.
For LiIon I can see percentage being handy because it's hard to gauge them so maybe they know how to do that.

A lead-acid battery will typically be charged at around 14.6-14.7 volts (most Fords) and will settle to 13.2 volts when off charge for a little bit and about 12.8 overnight. Probably should not draw a lead-acid battery down below around 11.5v -- deep discharge batteries may be slightly different (dunno). Not sure if AGMs are different or more/less tolerant but I suspect they are about the same.


Typically when I check batteries around here they are in the 12.3 to 12.6 zone.

I’ll have to get some typical readings off the van on different days to get a base line.

I think I have an easy place to hook the gauge up so I’ll be able to see it.


Guessing the van volts may be higher since I use it everyday and other vehicles sit for days to a week most times.

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[68fastback]

Good idea.

Will be interesting to see what van reads on a typical morning.

[onecrazydog]

My '04 Ram 1500. Never been in a garage. Doesn't fit. Too long. Paint is fading. It's got patina that will help me register it with antique plates in a few years. (That's stupid!!! But it's the law. And it saves a boatload of money. Some places are switching to 1975 and earlier to qualify...)


Here it's anything 20 years and older qualifies as antique...

[twobjshelbys]

Here it's anything 20 years and older qualifies as antique...


I looked more, Nevada might be 25 now. Still, I don't see a 1995 vehicle be considered "classic" or "antique".

[Tommy Gun]

I looked more, Nevada might be 25 now. Still, I don't see a 1995 vehicle be considered "classic" or "antique".


1995 Cobra R :drool:

Lol

[68fastback]

:grin:

[Tommy Gun]

28143

28144

28145




Dang sideways pics :nonono:


.

[68fastback]

12v lead-acid...

Charging.

At rest.

...and charge capacity?

I trust that’s your truck not the iPad. :giggle:

[Tommy Gun]

Lol

Yep, the Transit van.

At rest and when running.

Going to get a few readings. Like early morning when cold out, etc.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen it over 12.4 to 12.5 when I’ve checked it, so guessing that’s base line.


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[Alloy Dave]

Hook that up to your vibrating bed.

[68fastback]

Lol

Yep, the Transit van.

At rest and when running.

Going to get a few readings. Like early morning when cold out, etc.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen it over 12.4 to 12.5 when I’ve checked it, so guessing that’s base line.


.

Yup ...12.2-12.6 is typical.

Just for the heck of it, after you've driven for a while so it's fully charged (and has been charging at 14.2-14.7 for a while after it's already fully charged), shut it off and then grab a reading within the first few minutes -- should be around 13.2 because the native max volts of a fully charged NEW battery cell that's just come off a full float charge is 2.2v/cell.

Then, within a few hours (or overnight) it will stabilize at 12.2-12.6 and stay in that range for days, creeping down only very slowly. Of course that assumes no parasitic losses which all modern cars unfortunately have due to their electronics maintaining various settings, so after a few days, like over a weekend, it may already be closer to the lower end of that range.