Tom.B
Moderator Emeritus
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2009
- Messages
- 5,839
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Skinny Dippin'
- Vessel Make
- Navigator 4200 Classic
Hey everyone.
We went and anchored out last weekend for the first time in several years... three I think... (don’t ask... North Carolina hurricanes and other stuff) Anyway, our eight, 6V lead acid batteries are about five years old and have really never been off charge for very long, nor have they been depleted more than a few percent over a single night at anchor. We have a 60A Sterling charger with a temp sensor and it mostly keeps a float charge on it as we are only weekend warriors.
As I said, we anchored out last week and we had an issue with the davit crane dropping the voltage so low that the breaker popped as we were lifting the dinghy back in place. The Victron shows only 12.2 (60% SOC) with only a few lights on, so I think the batteries need replacing.
My question is this: I was going to head to the boat tomorrow-ish and was going to do a 12-hour resting voltage test. Can I equalize the batteries BEFORE the test? If I opt to equalize, do I need to wait longer before I do a test or do I need to let them rest longer than overnight?
Honestly, I don’t mind replacing them, there are only 8 and I have an inexpensive golfcart store on the way to New Bern where I can replace them for about $1000. Still, I don’t want to replace them if I don’t have to... it just seems weird that they have lived such a sheltered life and are now bad for no specific reason.
Thanks!
Tom-
We went and anchored out last weekend for the first time in several years... three I think... (don’t ask... North Carolina hurricanes and other stuff) Anyway, our eight, 6V lead acid batteries are about five years old and have really never been off charge for very long, nor have they been depleted more than a few percent over a single night at anchor. We have a 60A Sterling charger with a temp sensor and it mostly keeps a float charge on it as we are only weekend warriors.
As I said, we anchored out last week and we had an issue with the davit crane dropping the voltage so low that the breaker popped as we were lifting the dinghy back in place. The Victron shows only 12.2 (60% SOC) with only a few lights on, so I think the batteries need replacing.
My question is this: I was going to head to the boat tomorrow-ish and was going to do a 12-hour resting voltage test. Can I equalize the batteries BEFORE the test? If I opt to equalize, do I need to wait longer before I do a test or do I need to let them rest longer than overnight?
Honestly, I don’t mind replacing them, there are only 8 and I have an inexpensive golfcart store on the way to New Bern where I can replace them for about $1000. Still, I don’t want to replace them if I don’t have to... it just seems weird that they have lived such a sheltered life and are now bad for no specific reason.
Thanks!
Tom-
