Battery Conundrum

[robbieg]

I've got 3 Delphi Voyager Marine Batteries-1 as a dedicated engine battery and the other 2 (both 105 amp/h) wired in parallel as a domestic bank. They are charged by a smart charger & are 18 mths old.

The batteries have a built in hydrometer-shows green if ok, red if need charging (less than 50% charge) and white if kaput! Yesterday I noticed one of the batteries in the domestic bank was green (ie OK) whilst the other was red (needing charge). The battery charger was not pumping any amps into them suggesting it thought the bank was fully charged. I disconnected the one showing red and after resting it for a few hours put a voltmeter accross it & it shows a healthy 12.85v.

I wonder it the hydrometer in one battery has gone wrong-anyone any other solutions? Thanks.

 

[cliff]

One might just need a top up of the electrolyte. Two of my domestic batteries showed white (Kaput) but whe I topped all them up and gave them a wee charge all turned green again.
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>

 

[jerryat]

I assume you've tapped the top of the 'Magic eye'? We've used the AC Delco (now Delphi) batteries for many, many years and they are superb. However, we did have a similar situation to yours about 12 years ago and queried this with the supplier. 'Tap the top' he said, 'as sometimes the little ball can jam'.

A couple of brisk taps with the top of a forefinger and 'instant green'!

You may have to do this a few times over a period until the obstruction, or whatever it is, clears permanently. Worth a shot anyway.

 

[jerryat]

>> One might just need a top up of the electrolyte. Two of my domestic batteries showed white (Kaput) but whe I topped all them up and gave them a wee charge all turned green again.<<

Hi Cliff, I suspect the batteries are sealed maintenance free type if they're like my AC Delco 54-102's. Do you know a way of accessing these, 'cos whilst never having had the need to yet, I would like to know how to do it.

 

[cliff]

On some "sealed" batteries one can prize off the top covers then pull the 6 plugs out. Face it the manufacturer had to get the electrolyte in in the first place. I had a "sealed" battery for engine start - managed to prize off the two covers and top it up - note the covers never sealed properly after that but the 6 plugs were O.K.
--------------------

"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>

 

[jerryat]

Yes, I've heard this before, but on the Delco's (Delphi's) there do not appear to be any covers or plugs. As I said, we've had these batteries for years (at least 23) and I simply cannot see a way 'in'! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I know what you say makes sense and I'm probably missing something glaringly obvious, but even removing the labels (from a friend's dead version) failed to show a lid or plugs. It looks like a solid moulding /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Perhaps the poster will have a go if it turns out that his battery is dead, and let us know the result! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[pvb]

Brute force and sharp tools...

The only way in to a Delco Freedom battery is brute force and sharp tools! I use 6 of these in my domestic bank, and they're 8/9 years old. Several years ago, one of them stopped showing anything on the "magic eye" - it was just black. Thinking that the electrolyte level had dropped below the magic eye, I wondered whether it was time to replace them. So I had a look inside; basically by carefully drilling a circle of holes around the magic eye and lifting it out. It wasn't at all easy, but I did find that there was still lots of electrolyte above the top of the plates (as you can't top them up, they put lots in to start with). The magic eye was glued back in place, and the battery's still in service. They'll probably need replacing this year, but I don't think I can complain too much after 8+ years.

 

[jerryat]

Re: Brute force and sharp tools...

[ QUOTE ]
The only way in to a Delco Freedom battery is brute force and sharp tools! I use 6 of these in my domestic bank, and they're 8/9 years old. Several years ago, one of them stopped showing anything on the "magic eye" - it was just black. Thinking that the electrolyte level had dropped below the magic eye, I wondered whether it was time to replace them. So I had a look inside; basically by carefully drilling a circle of holes around the magic eye and lifting it out. It wasn't at all easy, but I did find that there was still lots of electrolyte above the top of the plates (as you can't top them up, they put lots in to start with). The magic eye was glued back in place, and the battery's still in service. They'll probably need replacing this year, but I don't think I can complain too much after 8+ years.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi pvb!

Gosh, don't worry, you've got years of use yet! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Two of my previous (four Delco battery) domestic bank are still going strong on friends' boats at 16 years old! Of the two others (same age) one is still starting the boatyard crane and the other it's tractor!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Many thanks for the heads-up on re-filling, but as I suspected, these really can't be sensibly accessed, but then with this sort of quality and life, I don't really think it's necessary. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif