may in fact destroy the battery, but that is not for this discussion. You should confirm this by taking the battery to your local parts store and having them fully charge it, then load/specific gravity test it. Jesse specializes in all aspects of home/residential wiring, troubleshooting, generator installation, and WiFi thermostats. Sulfation decreases the potential to reach a full charge, and it self-discharges the battery quicker than normal. Internal Shorted Cell Battery - Cannot be charged. Thomas Eichen Thanks this was exactly what was happening to my motorcycle battery.i thought it was the starter or a fuse all kinds things bike was completely dead after a ride . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If its not, push it in until it clicks into place. To test a standard AA battery, which is about 1.5 volts, you would use the "2 DCV" setting. How to Tell if Your Battery Is Bad in 3 Easy Steps. Thanks for Watching! Grey My Optima Blue will charge up and hold at 12.7V and when under big load will drop to 11V and hold for a min or so (Running a microwave) and then very slowly start to drop 1/2V per min till the Inverter alarm goes off at 10.5V No loss of electrolyte takes place in this process, thus ensuring sealed batteries, as well as wet, never die due to loss of electrolyte. Finally, make sure that the battery is fully seated in its compartment. However, if under the starting load the voltage drops below 9.6v, then it is most likely time to replace the battery. Cracks, splits, and holes will not cause a battery to stop working, but for safety reasons the battery should be labeled unsafe to use. How do I know if my battery charger is working? High resistance will prevent the charger from working properly. If your battery fails the test and needs to be replaced, our professional technicians can install a AAA battery 1 and recycle the old one. battery. Direct current means that the electricity runs straight from the device generating it to the device receiving it. Dois Sossamon Trolling motor batteries give out after 2 hours but batteries still charge up to 13 v. Could it be motor worn out, it's old. Lillian Schaeffer This is some great information, and I appreciate your point that a bulge in the case of a battery means its dead. If the level is low, be sure to add distilled water until its full. It doesn't matter if the bike starts or not, what you're looking for is a voltage reading. methods require supervision. Here are a few tips on how to do just that: One of the best ways to keep your car battery healthy is to keep it clean. Loose or corroded connections can cause starting problems. Finally, there may be a problem with the charging system, which various factors can cause. If it is not working properly, it can prevent your car from starting. Finally, dont forget to clean the terminals and connections regularly to prevent corrosion from building up. This resets the internal CMOS of the laptop, which can kick it out of whatever non-charging loop it's stuck in. Do I want to them to charge as fast as safely possible? Visit http://www.thesmallengineshop.netOften times a computer controlled battery charger will determine a battery is bad after the battery has been fully dis. Mark Jilks Info was very helpful. Have battery checked by certified auto service center. SC1309. BatteryStuff TechMany chargers offer both desulfation and a separate charging circuit, so it is possible as one does not affect the other. You should get a reading of 0.00, or no more than 0.05. A common reason your car wont start even with a good battery. BatteryStory is capable of pointing you to the right direction to ensure the maximum uptime of your vehicle. Yes, 13 volts is considered a good voltage for a car battery. 275A 6/12V Battery Charger/Engine Starter. The electrolyte in your battery should be at the proper level at all times. It finally stopped completely. Visit http://www.thesmallengineshop.netOften times a computer controlled battery charger will determine a battery is bad after the battery has been fully discharged and the lead plates in the battery are sulfated. Another possibility is that the battery terminals are corroded, preventing the electrical current from flowing properly. 6 weeks? Here at AxleWise we know that finding the best car advice is a real pain! If youre uncertain how to test whether your car battery is charging on your own, or youre not sure how to interpret a particular reading, take your vehicle in for a full charging system checkup. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. It might help to shop online for batteries so that we can be more relaxed and able to decide rightly. [+ Fix]. Click Next to check if the battery is under recall. BatteryStuff Tech While some battery may accept a full charge that doesn't mean the battery will retain that charge. Do You Know What Should A 6-Volt Battery Read When Fully Charged? removed cables it showed 12.7 volts. Fault Codes. Then we remove the resistor and notice how much the battery voltage drops (Vbat1-Vbat2): R_bat = R_ch * (Vbat1-Vbat2) / V_res Ideally, the best way to know if your battery is good is to charge it out of the application, and come back 12hrs later to see what the voltage of the battery drop down to. PARASITIC DRAIN: There are many possible causes of the parasitic drain on a car battery. If your battery has plenty of fluid in the cells, but the color is dark, or brownish, this is also an indication of a bad battery. How To Know If The Problem Is With Your Battery? It does this in the shortest possible time, without developing excessive heat. (A CTEK charger can extend the life of your battery 2-3 times). Second, be careful not to touch the metal ends of the jumper cables together, as this can cause a spark. Subsequent charges were much cooler. Simply connecting the battery to it will show you the voltage. It was just the things I was wondering so I could determine what to do next. Since I typically only use the 2amp charge rate I wasn't too worried. After the failed attempt of trying to start up, I turned off all the power to the bike and took another measurement. Tip: Keep the headlights on for about 2 minutes to drain any surface charge. You can use a multimeter to test the battery voltage and know whether the battery is fully charged. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. With wet-cell (flooded) batteries, water levels must be maintained. This time it's reading was approximately 13vDC. It will be a little more expensive, but you will know that you are getting a . Finally, check the connections between the battery and the starter. What we're dealing with is a lead acid battery in a plastic box that encases a delicate balance of chemicals which are ready to interact with each other to produce electricity when the load is applied. BatteryBhai Thanks for the post. So, keep an eye on the charge level and top it off when necessary. is 12.72 volts). it was dim at first then got bright. Maybe you've been in that boat before. BatteryStuff Tech Powering an a microwave through an inverter requires a battery that can hold under a large amp load. Make sure that the battery terminals are clean and free of corrosion. Finally, if youre using a battery charger, follow the manufacturers instructions to avoid damaging the battery. BatteryStuff Tech At 12.3 your battery is about at about 62% of capacity, and would be what we consider a weak battery. A parasitic drain is when there is something draining power from the battery even when the car is turned off. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 163,145 times. To do this, remove the battery from the car and take it to a mechanic or auto parts store for a diagnostic test. If your car wont start, its time to test your battery. It's a bad idea to *ever* use those public multi-port charging kiosks If you're concerned about your phone's battery, far Steve Thomas on LinkedIn: FBI says public phone chargers may put your data at risk: What to know Your battery is partially charged if the needle is between the two marks. Thank you. Moreover, avoid letting the battery discharge too much. Model # 021-0123. Some, particularly marine battery chargers, are designed In this article, I am going to tell you how to inspect different parts alongside the battery to pinpoint the reason for the issue. Yes, it is possible to see that your car battery is 100% charged but cant start the engine. It can be frustrating when your battery charger says fully charged but the car wont start. Looks like the battery needs to be replaced? Ask Your Question Fast! You know your vehicle very well, and it is usually very clear when the headlights are not as clear as usual. Heres a quick guide on how to do it. Ask for FREE. In most cases, your best bet is to contact the manufacturer directly and order a replacement charger, if you can. Dont drop me from your list. BatteryStuff Tech It could be the charger, or the battery In my experience it points to the battery if the charger is still alerting you that there is an issue, but every once in awhile it can be the charger as well. We know you need your car for work, school, or just getting around town. If you ever see the needle pointing to the Recharge mark, recharge your battery as soon as possible. Rich. Thank you for sharing! This includes the new sealed dry batteries, such as Optima, Odyssey, Exide and Interstate branded AGM-spiral-wound types. They finally replaced it when I got District Management involved. In summary, if you want your batteries to deliver the very best performance and have the longest possible life, they must be kept free of sulphate by desulfating them in the safest, most effective way. Using a simple voltmeter, you can test the level of charge the battery has. You measure for milliamps when testing for draw, but the results you give me (11.24) is a voltage number. I would suggest charging, then let it sit off the charger for more than 12 hrs to see if your readings go up. Simply connect the positive and negative leads of the charger to the corresponding terminals on the battery, and then plug the charger into the outlet. If they are overcharged, undercharged or left discharged for just a few days, they will rapidly develop sulfate. Also, batteries don't "leak" power like water can. You can use a voltmeter to measure the battery voltage. Simply reverse the positive and negative wires if you do not see any bubbles forming then. After the charger has a while to put some current back, disconnect the good If you smell rotten eggs, this means that your battery has vented gas. [Simplified]. I am not quite clear on your test results though. At this point, charging alone will not restore the battery to a healthy condition. If your battery is having trouble holding under load, then chances are it's a chemical issue. If your car battery is having trouble holding a charge, it is important to have it checked out by a qualified mechanic to determine the cause and get it fixed as soon as possible. Simply connecting the battery to it will show you the voltage. On my return, my battery has , for 2 rounds of golf, failed to recharge when put back onto the charger. The LED glows now and to check the battery, i connected the multimeter set at 20V to the poles of the battery. I can tell you that the smaller group D34M Optima Blue Top is only a 55AH battery and could only last under load for about 12 mins before you start to excessively discharge the battery. See Also: Problems After Fuel Pump Replacement: Why Does My Car Have Trouble Starting? BatteryStuff Tech Your battery is starting ito enter the weak range, so I would replace when you start to notice. The moment, it gets down to 12.5V or less, you wont get any juice out of it. I would have your charging system checked out. Manny thanks for the article, really helpful. Your car battery is essential to the proper functioning of your vehicle. The heat can cause the battery to overheat and discharge, even if the car isnt running. These numbers assume 100% healthy cells, and may vary . To clear up a misconception: a battery isn't like a water bottle. 11.9 to 12 volts (fully charged We use cookies to make wikiHow great. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. The voltage of a battery is a good way to determine the state of charge. Remove the battery, unplug the charger, then press and hold the power button for 15 seconds. If the voltage instantly drops to 0 volts, that is also a problem. If the battery is under recall, you must provide your contact information. Model # SC1363. You can often times rescue the battery by using a 1 amp manual charger, and slowly charging the battery back to life. By generating just the needed range of frequencies and avoiding high voltages, we eliminate potential damage to the batteries storage plates known as flaking. Bad Battery Connection - Check battery connection. After 12hrs you can hook it back up and see if the battery is able to start your bike. The device will then give you a reading displaying the voltage being put out by the charger. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Batteries develop sulfation each time they are used (discharged - recharged). Robert TomichI have 8 L16 (24 volt) system with 700 amp hours hooked up series/parallel to run off grid cabin.Is there a way i can desulfation all these battery ? You have to look for the knowleadge of others if you are willing to learn. Naturally, re-charging the battery will reverse the sulfation crystals and turn it back into electrolyte, ready to produce power again. Unlike other pulse type battery chargers that claim this or similar sounding features, VDCs BatteryMINDers use a range of high frequencies. Eric. I would suggest contacting our TECH Department for suggestions. Can You Change A Car Battery In The Rain? Yes, a car battery can be charged and still be bad. Jeremy Fear Yeah, when cells are not equally drained there is indication that one or more cells is defective, causing all the others to be pulled down with it. If you think your starter may be causing a parasitic draw, you should take it to a mechanic to have it checked out. On Load conditions, the battery shows a positive increase in Voltage upto 13.4 13.8V with rpm above 3000, I used the motorcycle at night and in the morning i checked the battery at no-load, it was around 12.42V. This gives you a false voltage reading. Test, charge, maintain and repair all types of six-V and 12-V lead-acid batteries with this SBC-125 six-V/12-V Shelf Battery Charger. If you're stuck on . Scott So I tested my battery and its reading 12.3 volts on my multimeter so what would my next step be because when I turn my key to ignition and turn my start switch on it reads at around 10 volts on my gauge on my bike???? Even when stored fully charged sulfate will form without a frequently applied maintenance charge. The starter motor is what turns over the engine and starts your car. Immediately after attaching both probes, your multimeter should display a reading somewhere in the range of 12.6 volts. Using our common senses, we can deduct that the problem is either in the battery or in the connection. Over time, dirt and grime can build up on the terminals and lead to corrosion. Can you please clarify. These 20 minutes should be more than enough to jump the dead battery. Its always a good idea to check the connections of your car battery. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. They were installed in 2008. So you can pass it on to your customers and employees . Here are a few signs that your lithium-ion battery may be failing: 1. However under load you have to interpret you load testers result, and most are designed to put a high load on the battery, and in most cases will drop a battery into the 10 volt range. You can use a hydrometer to measure the specific gravity of your batterys electrolyte. The sulfuric acid, the major ingredient in a sulfate crystal, can then easily pass into the electrolyte (liquid, gel or absorbed type). If you notice anything out of the ordinary, be sure to have your battery checked by a professional. Just like your engine needs an oil, your battery needs an electrolyte solution to function properly. I recommend you to take the car to a mechanic and do a thorough checkup. You can pick up a digital multimeter from any hardware shop or electronics supply store for as little as $10-20. This is another case for having a decent digital voltmeter around Revolutionize Your Ride: What Is Body Cladding On A Truck? Heres what you can do: Make sure that the charger is properly connected to the battery. If it is not working properly, it can prevent your car from starting. After checking the battery voltage level and charged state according to the previously explained methods, move on to checking the starter. i disconnected every attachment from the harness and the 11.24 is made up of: when bike running it showing 14.2 volts (this shows generator/stator and regulator are all working as should, yes? Sounds like you guys might understand customer service a lot better than they do. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Chad I have a 98 dodge ram 1500. BatteryStuff TechRobert, at that age it might be hard to restore as the sulfation hardens as the battery ages, so very old batteries can present a challege when trying to desulfate. The charger passes a voltage into the battery that is higher than the battery voltage, then gradually decreases the voltage until the battery is full. All lead-acid storage batteries will develop sulphate during their life time. Start by testing the resistance on the charger with your multimeter. Email address should be formatted [email protected], Mobility Scooter and Wheelchair Battery Chargers, 12 Volt 230 VAC Pure Sine Wave Power Inverters, Remote Panels, Controls, Installation Kits, How to Determine Battery Sizes when using Pure Sine Wave Inverters, Reading 0 volts, chances are the battery experienced a short circuit, Cannot reach higher than 10.5 volts when being charged, then the battery has a dead cell, Fully charged (according to the battery charger) but the voltage is 12.4 or less, the battery is sulfated. Looks like your Energizer charges at at least 0.5C. I know next to nothing about batteries and am hoping folks can guide me toward a good way to test these and make sure they are not operating at a sub-par level, especially since they are still under warranty. you can series a pair (positive to negative) to look like a 12 volt battery, and use a 12 volt charger I would suggest charging the battery, and once charged disconnect the battery from both bike and charger and let it sit for 12hrs. These chargers take electricity from your home power supply and pass it into a discharged battery. This is the reason why the voltage dropped so much, and unfortunately you cannot get the acid back. By using our site, you agree to our. The voltmeter would only detect what is between its positive and negative, so the battereis could still be tested like above while the mower is turned on. Boris Battery won't hold charge over night, so I disconnected from the vehicle, charged to a full charge, let it stay disconnected overnight and next day after 18 hours the voltmeter indicated 11.7 volts. Shailendra Tripathi I have 30 SMF battery of 12V/100AH.The floating voltage of all battery is between 13V-13.80V but after testing with load the voltage drop down upto 10.50V.The 10.50v battery is considered weak battery .please reply us. Another way to keep your car battery healthy is to check the fluid level regularly. Second method, if you don't have a 'dumb' charger: parallel a second battery (positive to So, clean the terminals with a terminal brush every few months. But if a battery sat, uncharged, severely discharged, and/or drained for extended periods of time, the sulfation will increase in size and harden onto the plates. If you find any loose or damaged parts, replace them. threshhold voltages between 8 and 11 volts. It will take longer for the battery to charge. I have measured the Milliamps (draw on circuit) using the DCA Setting on 20m, with tester in circuit, and im getting a reading of 11.24? Franklin Whateleymake the battery good again. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. A less common but possible cause of parasitic drain is a faulty alternator or voltage regulator. I must say I have been really disappointed. So, both If it is easy to switch the leads from one of the working banks to the bank that isnt working (assuming the voltage is the same) you can see if that bank will charge the battery. So, if you live in an area with extreme temperatures, be sure to take steps to protect your battery from the elements. Using a simple voltmeter, you can test the level of charge the battery has. Over time, all batteries will lose some of their capacity to hold a charge. Simply reverse the negative and positive wires if you do not see any bubbles forming then. However if that bank takes off charging it could be the charger. Before opening the hood, you can do a quick and simple test by turning on the ignition. While it cannot charge a significantly discharged battery back to life, the Battery. Yes, a starter can cause a parasitic draw. Pete I have a 2009 Yamaha Nytro snowmobile that worked great until I replaced the six year old battery. Easy Fixes To Try: How To Clear Service Emission System. However, it is usually that the clicking sound is a clear indication of a dead battery. Knowing how to test a battery charger, whether its for the rechargeable kind used in small appliances or the one that powers your automobile, can be useful for making sure that the device is reloading batteries to a usable level. My battery is okay, isnt it? Larger devices and appliances may run on batteries or battery packs that put out 12-24 volts. If you accidentally get your poles mixed up, the multimeter may display a negative reading (or no reading at all). Finally, check out the fuel tank. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Now that you know how to read your cars battery gauge, you can keep an eye on it and ensure that your battery stays charged. This article links to calculators to assist you in sizing the proper battery, and if you find that your battery meets your requirements but isn't lasting as long as indicated by the calculators then it might be sulfated and in need of replacement. 1. should the ECU have power when ignition off? Anything less that 12.4 is considered a sulfated battery, so i would recommend charging the battery, and if it settles back to that level I would consider replacing at the first sign of weakness. If your multimeter features built-in test probes, you can skip this step. BatteryStuff Tech If it is safe to access the batteries while the mower is running you could put a volt meter on each battery and see how they are holding under load. This article has been viewed 163,145 times. Gerald Robinson I enjoy your information on batters. Almost everyday, we receive calls and comments about batteries that "won't hold a charge" any more. That is why I started my blog BatteryStory to help you make the right purchases and protect the investment. It can happen if the starter is faulty or if there is a problem with the electrical system in the car. If the battery is bad, youll need to replace the battery to get your car running again. Rajesh Kumar Quite simple and informative. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Make sure that the battery cables and terminals are clean and tight. How Do Batteries Die? This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Jeremy Fear We do! Very slow cranking also happens in northern locations where the super-low temperatures cause the engine components to be stiff and the battery voltage to drop. Hope you don't need this information, but we run into this situation with customers enough, putting In this case, the battery may be sulfated. I dont believe that will change my diagnosis, but I do like to have complete and accurate info when working an issue. I would recommend replacing the battery. Connect the positive and negative test probes of a multimeter tool to the corresponding contact points on the charger. For Questions and Tech Support, please submit your question with our. That 2.2 volts is the fully charged, straight off the charger number.