battery readings

[gonad]

morning all
like to know what my terminal should be reading after a few weeks with smart charger c-tek 300 on 13.9? 14.2? or 13.5? are not these readings too high? thanks

 

[halcyon]

morning all
like to know what my terminal should be reading after a few weeks with smart charger c-tek 300 on 13.9? 14.2? or 13.5? are not these readings too high? thanks

Is that voltage when charger switched off ? if so leave for 24 hours and check.

Battery voltage for a given charge level has many variables, so is only guide.

Brian

 

[gonad]

with charger on am leaving for a few months so just wanted to know if twas ok

 

[VicS]

with charger on am leaving for a few months so just wanted to know if twas ok

With the charger on the reading should be whatever the spec says the float voltage will be

But as Halcyon says disconnect the charger and let it stand and check the volts.

For an "ordinary" lead acid battery you should be looking for around 12.7. 12.8 better, 12.6 OK.

Then with no further charge or discharge check periodically over a period of days or weeks how well it holds its charge. If it's good it should take several weeks to fall below 12.5 ish.

As Halcyon says only a guide but something anyone with a multimeter can do, even if the battery is sealed so preventing the use of a hydrometer.

 

[Trundlebug]

I have a Cetek charger and the typical readings I get are:-

When charger first switched on / plugged in: 14.7 - 14.8v. (Bulk charge)
Once charge current has reduced down to around 0.1-0.2A it reduces the charge voltage to 13.8v. (Float charge)
It stays float charging at 13.8v for around 2 weeks.
Then the charger cuts out and goes into "pulse" mode.

You'll then see the true battery voltage, in my case 12.7-12.9v
When the battery voltage drops to 12.7v the charger cuts in at 14.8v for around 3-5 mins, then cuts out again.
It'll keep doing this (pulsing) indefinitely until you either unplug & reconnect, or use a 12v accessory with high current draw (more than about 6A) like a dirt devil vacuum cleaner.
That will start the whole charging process again from scratch.

Hope this clarifies.

Edit: Just noticed your location. (!!) As Cetek chargers are temperature compensated the values I've stated will vary somewhat. But at least you'll know what's happening.

 

[halcyon]

with charger on am leaving for a few months so just wanted to know if twas ok

If they are your only choices 13.5 volt, but on your return run the charger through a hi-voltage cycle as you may some stratification in the electrolyte.

Or put the charger on a timer and run for say 1 hour a week, check it completes a charge cycle with charged battery in that time. If time is to long go to once every two weeks, the battery want go flat in that period with no loads on.

Brian

 

[gonad]

thanks all