Car and Deep Cycle Battery Frequently Asked Questions

Car and Deep Cycle Battery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Basic and very important formulas.

Current = Voltage/Resistance
Power = Current Squared X Resistance
Power = Voltage X Current
Power = Voltage Squared / Resistance
Voltage = Power/Current
Voltage = Current X Resistance
Resistance o!ms" = Voltage/Current
# !orsepower = $%& watts
# !orsepower = %'.% B()/min.
*orsepower times $%&+ divided ,y t!e voltage+ will give you amperage.
-o t!e t!ree .Power. types a,ove+ or (!ree p!ase calculations ,affle you/
0f you !ave to as1+ you2 s!ould2not2 ,e2 doing2 it.
Call a trained 3ualified 4lectrician. P546S47
CAR AND DEEP CYCLE BAERY FREQ!ENLY A"#ED Q!E"$%N" &'(
Bill Darden Last !pdated on Dece)*er ((+ ,--. /ords o0 caution1 Lead2acid *atteries contain a diluted sul0uric acid
electrolyte+ 34ic4 is a 4i54ly corrosi6e poison and 3ill produce 0la))a*le 5asses 34en rec4ar5ed and e7plode i0
i5nited' Accordin5 to PRE8EN BL$NDNE"" A9ER$CA+ last year nearly :+--- )otorists su00ered serious eye in;uries
0ro) 3orkin5 around car *atteries' /4en 3orkin5 3it4 *atteries+ you need to 3ear 5lasses (or pre0era*ly sa0ety
5o55les)+ 4a6e plenty o0 6entilation+ re)o6e your ;e3elry+ and e7ercise caution' Do N% allo3 *attery electrolyte to )i7
3it4 salt 3ater' E6en s)all quantities o0 t4is co)*ination 3ill produce c4lorine 5as t4at can #$LL you< Please 0ollo3 t4e
)anu0acturer=s instructions 0or testin5+ ;u)pin5+ installin5+ disc4ar5in5+ c4ar5in5+ equali>in5 and )aintainin5 *atteries'
?"ource1 BC$ (Battery Council $nternational)@ Car *atteries are used to start a 5asoline or diesel en5ines 0ound in
appro7i)ately AB- )illion cars+ li54t trucks and 6ans 3orld3ide' $t also applies to an esti)ated (A- )illion )ore
startin5 *atteries 0ound in trucks+ "!8s+ )otorcycles+ recreation 6e4icles (R8s)+ )otor 4o)es+ cara6ans+ *oats+ po3er
sports (sno3)o*iles and ;et skis)+ tractors+ etc' 4is FAQ assu)es (,26olt+ si7 cell+ ne5ati6e 5rounded+ lead2acid Car
and Deep Cycle *atteries at C-D F (,:'BD C) 3it4 capacities 0ro) & A)p Eours (AE) to ,&- AE' 4e ter)s Fstartin5F+
F"L$F and Fcrankin5F are used 0or Car *atteries *ut 3ould apply to any lead2acid *attery used to start an en5ine' /4en
used alone+ t4e 5eneric ter) F*atteryF+ applies to *ot4 lead2acid Car+ ot4er startin5+ )oti6e and stationary Deep Cycle
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*atteries' For :26olt *atteries+ di6ide t4e (,26olt *attery 6olta5es in t4is FAQ *y t3oK 0or C6olt *atteries+ di6ide *y ('&K
0or ,.26olt *atteries+ dou*le t4e 6olta5eK 0or A:26olt *atteries+ triple t4e 6olta5eK and 0or .C26olt *atteries+ )ultiply *y
0our' Eyperlinks to *attery 5lossaries and dictionaries can *e 0ound in t4e Battery Re0erences Link List on 4ttp1GG
333'*attery0aq'or5' /arnin5s and ot4er i)portant in0or)ation are in B%LD te7t+ and t4e tec4nical stu00+
reco))endations and tips are in italics'
C%NEN"
(' /EA $" EE B%%9 L$NE AND $P"L ,' /EY B%EERL A' E%/ D% $ PERF%R9 PRE8EN$8E
9A$NENANCEL .' E%/ D% $ E" A BAERYL &' E%/ D% $ #N%/ $F EE CEARH$NH "Y"E9 $" %# %R
LARHE EN%!HEL :' E%/ D% $ M!9P "AR 9Y 8EE$CLEL B' /EA D% $ L%%# F%R $N B!Y$NH A NE/
BAERYL C' E%/ D% $ $N"ALL NE/ BAER$E"L J' E%/ D% $ CEARHE (%R EQ!AL$NE) 9Y BAERYL (-'
/EA CA!"E" 9Y BAERY % DRA$N %8ERN$HEL ((' E%/ CAN $ $NCREA"E EE L$FE %F 9Y BAERYL
(,' /EA ARE EE C%99%N CA!"E" %F PRE9A!RE BAERY FA$L!RE"L (A' E%/ CAN $ "%RE
BAER$E"L (.' /EA ARE EE 9YE" AB%! BAER$E"L (&' E%/ L%NH CAN $ PAR# 9Y 8EE$CLEL
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(:' E%/ CAN $ RE8$8E A "!LFAED BAERYL (B' /EY /%N= 9Y ENH$NE "ARL (C' /EERE CAN $ F$ND
9%RE $NF%R9A$%N %N BAER$E"L (J' E%/ CAN $ PR$N E$" FAQL 4e *est source o0 in0or)ation a*out
your *attery is t4e )anu0acturer 34o )ade it' "o)e )anu0acturers do any e7cellent ;o* o0 in0or)in5 and educatin5
t4eir custo)ers a*out t4eir *atteries+ *y enclosin5 t4e in0or)ation 3it4 eac4 *attery and on t4eir /e* sites' $t 3ould *e
*est i0 t4e *attery )anu0acturers printed t4e )ost i)portant consu)er in0or)ation on t4e *attery la*el' $0 t4e
in0or)ation is not readily a6aila*le+ ask t4e )anu0acturer to pro6ide it' $0 t4ey are un3illin5+ use anot4er )anu0acturer=s
product' 4is in0or)ation is a*solutely essential to properly )aintainin5 t4e *attery and o*tainin5 t4e opti)al
per0or)ance out o0 your in6est)ent' ?Eo)e@ ?op@ ?Ne7tOOO@
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Car and Deep Cycle Battery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) "ection (
(' /EA $" EE B%%9 L$NE AND $P"L
Last !pdated on %cto*er ,A+ ,--. ('(' Please 3ear 5lasses 34en 3orkin5 3it4 a lead2acid *attery in t4e unlikely
e6ent it )i54t e7plode' (',' For a car *attery+ at t4e 0irst si5ns o0 slo3 startin5+ di) 4eadli54ts at lo3 RP9+ a))eter
indicatin5 disc4ar5e at 4i54er RP9+ or i0 your *attery see)s to *e losin5 per0or)ance+ 0ully rec4ar5e your *attery+
re)o6e t4e sur0ace c4ar5e+ and load test it and t4e c4ar5in5 syste)' "o)e auto parts or *attery stores 3ill test your
*attery+ c4ar5in5 syste) and starter 0or 0ree' /eak or *ad *atteries can also cause stress or pre)ature 0ailures o0
c4ar5in5 syste)s and starters and 6ice 6ersa' (Please see "ection .') ('A' Per0or) re5ular pre6enti6e )aintenance on
your car and deep cycle *atteries+ especially durin5 4ot 3eat4er and *e0ore cold 3eat4er' #eep t4e *attery top clean+
ca*le )atin5 sur0aces+ posts and ter)inals 0ree 0ro) corrosion+ and routinely ti54ten ca*le connections and retention
alternator *elts' #eep your nonsealed 3et *atteries (3it4 0iller caps) 0illed to t4e proper le6el 3it4 distilled+ deioni>ed or
de)inerali>ed 3ater+ *ut do not o6er0ill or use tap 3ater' 4e plates )ust *e co6ered at all ti)es to pre6ent internal
*attery e7plosions or sul0ation' (Please see "ection A') ('.' $n 4ot cli)ates and keep your car *attery as cool as
possi*le' For under t4e 4ood+ use a non2sealed 3et startin5 *attery (3it4 0iller caps so you add 3ater) or a sealed
spiral 3ound 8RLA AH9 *attery' (Please see "ection B') ('&' For *atteries not in 3eekly use+ people kill )ore deep
cycle and startin5 *atteries 3it4 *ad c4ar5in5 practices t4an die o0 old a5e' o pre6ent per)anent sul0ation and
especially in 4ot 3eat4er+ keep your *attery continuously connected to a Fs)artF or 0loat c4ar5er )atc4ed to t4e
*attery type or rec4ar5e your *attery 34ene6er it drops *elo3 C-P "tate2o02C4ar5e ("oC)' A c4eap+ unattended+
unre5ulated FtrickleF c4ar5er can destroy your *attery *y o6erc4ar5in5 it' (Please see "ection J') (':' /4en *uyin5 a
replace)ent car *attery+ *uy t4e 4ea6iest and 0res4est *attery co)pati*le 3it4 your 6e4icle=s c4ar5in5 syste)+ 3it4 t4e
lar5est Reser6e Capacity (RC) and lon5est 0ree replace)ent 3arranty t4at 3ill p4ysically 0it in your 6e4icle+
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and 3it4 t4e Cold Crankin5 A)p (CCA) ratin5 0or your cli)ate or t4at )eets or e7ceeds t4e 6e4icle=s %ri5inal
Equip)ent 9anu0acturer=s (%E9) CCA require)ent' For deep cycle *atteries+ *uy t4e 0res4est and 4ea6iest *attery
3it4 t4ickest plates and A)p Eour (AE) capacity t4at *est suites your application+ )atc4es your c4ar5er+ and 4as t4e
lo3est otal Cost o0 %3ners4ip' (Please see "ection B') ('B' A6oid a deep disc4ar5e (*elo3 ,-P "tate2o02C4ar5e or
(,'- 8DC) o0 your *attery *ecause t4is could pre)aturely kill it (due to cell re6ersal)' A0ter deep disc4ar5es or ;u)p2
starts+ 0ully rec4ar5e your *attery 3it4 an e7ternal c4ar5er+ re)o6e t4e sur0ace c4ar5e+ and load test t4e *attery and
c4ar5in5 syste) 0or latent da)a5e' (Please see "ection .') ('C' e)perature and te)perature co)pensation )atter<
Eeat kills *atteries and cold reduces t4eir a6aila*le capacity' ('J' For lon5er *attery li0e+ do not add *attery acid
(e7cept to replace electrolyte spills) or additi6es+ keep your *attery securely 0astened+ rec4ar5e *atteries 3it4in ,.
4ours o0 eac4 use+ use t4icker plates+ and i0 reco))ended *y t4e *attery )anu0acturer+ equali>e it' Lo3erin5 t4e
a6era5e Dept42o02Disc4ar5e (DoD) percenta5e 3ill si5ni0icantly increase t4e ser6ice li0e o0 your *attery' (Please see
"ection ((') ('(-' For car and )oti6e deep cycle *atteries+ )atc4 t4e c4ar5in5 syste) (or c4ar5er=s settin5s) to t4e
*attery type and insure t4at t4e c4ar5in5 syste) produces enou54 po3er to keep t4e *attery 0ully c4ar5ed *ased o0
your electrical use and dri6in5 4a*its' !se *attery c4ar5er (or c4ar5er settin5s) si>ed not to e7ceed ,&P o0 t4e total AE
*attery capacity and ad;usted to t4e *attery )anu0acturer=s reco))ended c4ar5in5 6olta5es 3it4 5ood 6entilation+
especially 34en rec4ar5in5 3et non2sealed *atteries (3it4 0iller caps)'' A *etter approac4 is to slo3ly rec4ar5e your car
and deep cycle *atteries o6er ei54t to ten 4ours' ('((' For ne5ati6e 5rounded syste)s+ al3ays ;u)p start (,26olt
*atteries P%"$$8E (Q) ter)inal to P%"$$8E (Q) ter)inal and NEHA$8E (2) ter)inal to t4e 0ra)e or en5ine *lock
a3ay 0ro) t4e *attery to 5reatly reduce t4e risk o0 a *attery e7plosion' (Please see "ection :') ('(,' For deep cycle
*atteries+ a6oid a s4allo3 disc4ar5es (less t4an (-P) or deep disc4ar5es (*elo3 ,-P "tate2o02C4ar5e or (,'- 8DC)'
4is could pre)aturely kill t4e)' !sin5 an ad;usta*le lo3 6olta5e disconnect set at ,-P "tate2o02C4ar5e
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or appro7i)ately (,'- 8DC or )ore 3ill increase t4e *atteries= ser6ice li0e and 4elp protect t4e *atteries and 6alua*le
electronic and electrical appliances' (Please see "ection ((') ('(A' Do N% use 3et lead2acid *atteries around salt
3ater' $0 salt 3ater is )i7ed 3it4 t4e *attery=s electrolyte+ deadly c4lorine 5as is produced' %nly use sealed 8RLA AH9
or Hel Cell *atteries around salt 3ater' ('(.' Re)o6e t4e sur0ace c4ar5e *e0ore testin5' For non2sealed *atteries (3it4
0iller caps)+ and use a te)perature co)pensatin5 4ydro)eter to c4eck "peci0ic Hra6ity in eac4 cell *ecause it is )ore
accurate t4an a DC 6olt)eter' For sealed *atteries+ use a accurate ('&P or *etter) di5ital DC 6olt)eter and )anually
co)pensate 0or t4e electrolyte te)perature' (Please see "ection .') ('(&' $0 t4e te)perature is *elo3 - de5rees F (2
(B'C de5rees C) and you are not usin5 an AC po3ered en5ine *lock and *attery 3ar)er or you can not park your
6e4icle to a 3ar)er location+ t4en disconnect your *attery+ take it indoors+ keep it 0ully c4ar5ed+ and reconnect it ;ust
*e0ore your need to start your en5ine' (Please see t4e CCA 6s' e)perature Dia5ra) in "ection B',) Alternati6ely use
t3o (,26olt AH9 *atteries in parallel and a lo3 6iscosity synt4etic oil in t4e en5ine' Batteries t4at 4a6e less t4an a .-P
"tate2o02C4ar5e 3ill 0ree>e at - de5rees F (2(B'C de5rees C) and 0ully disc4ar5ed *atteries 3ill 0ree>e at appro7i)ately
,- de5rees F (2:'B de5rees C)' RRRPre6ious ?Eo)e@ ?op@ Ne7tOOO
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Car and Deep Cycle Battery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) "ection ,
,' /EY B%EERL
Last !pdated on %cto*er ,.+ ,--. $NDES1 ,'(' Eo3 $s a Battery 9adeL ,',' Eo3 Does a Battery /orkL ,'A' Eo3 Do
Batteries DieL ,'.' /4y Are 8e4icles Ne5ati6ely HroundedL Because only t4e ric4 can a00ord c4eap *atteries''''' A
lead2acid *attery (also kno3 as an Faccu)ulatorF) is a secondary (rec4ar5ea*le) electroc4e)ical de6ice t4at stores
c4e)ical ener5y and releases it as electrical ener5y upon de)and' /4en a *attery is connected to an e7ternal de6ice+
suc4 as a )otor+ c4e)ical ener5y is con6erted to electrical ener5y and direct current 0lo3s t4rou54 t4e circuit' 4e
ter)s o0 t4e quantity o0 lead2acid *atteries t4at are produced+ startin5 *atteries represent appro7i)ately CCP o0 t4e
total' 4e total *reaks do3n to :&P Car+ ,AP %t4er "tartin5 Batteries ()otorcycle+ etc')+ CP Deep Cycle 9oti6e
(34eelc4airs+ 5ol0 carts+ 0ork li0t trucks+ etc')+ and .P Deep Cycle stationary (*ackup+ !P"+ stand*y+ etc')' BAERY
PR%D!C$%N
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$n t4e order o0 i)portance+ t4e 0our )a;or purposes o0 a car or F"L$F ("tartin5+ Li54tin5 and $5nition) *attery+ as it is
kno3n in t4e *attery industry+ are1
q
o start t4e en5ine' o 0ilter or sta*ili>e t4e pulsatin5 DC po3er 0ro) t4e 6e4icle=s c4ar5in5 syste)' o pro6ide e7tra
po3er 0or t4e li54tin5+ t3o23ay radios+ audio syste) and ot4er accessories 34en t4eir co)*ined load e7ceeds t4e
capa*ility o0 t4e 6e4icle=s c4ar5in5 syste)' 4is co))only occurs 34ile t4e 6e4icle=s en5ine is idlin5 or durin5 s4ort
trips 3it4 a 4ea6y po3er load like at ni54t in *ad 3eat4er' o supply a source o0 po3er to t4e 6e4icle=s electrical
syste) 34en t4e c4ar5in5 syste) is not operatin5'
q
q
q
A 5ood quality car *attery 3ill cost *et3een T&- and T(-- and+ i0 properly )aintained+ it s4ould last 0i6e years or )ore'
/it4 a &P co)pounded annual 5ro3t4 rate+ 3orld3ide retail sales o0 car lead2acid *atteries represent rou54ly :AP o0
t4e esti)ated TA- *illion annually spent on *atteries' $n Nort4 A)erica+ BC$ reports t4at o0 t4e (-:': )illion car
*atteries t4at 3ere sold in ,--(+ o0 34ic4 appro7i)ately C-P 3ere 0or replace)ent and ,-P 3ere 0or ori5inal
equip)ent' For ,--A+ Euro*at esti)ates t4at in /estern Europe &C'& )illion car *atteries 3ill *e sold and B(P 3ill *e
replace)ent (a0ter )arket) and ,JP 3ill *e %E9 (%ri5inal Equip)ent 9anu0acturer)' At t4e Ro*ert /' Baird $ndustrial
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ec4nolo5y Con0erence+ Mo4nson Controls reported o0 t4e A&- )illion startin5 *atteries t4at 3ill *e )ade in t4e 3orld
in ,--.+ Mo4nson Controls is t4e lar5est )anu0acturer 3it4 ,.P o0 t4e total 0ollo3ed *y E7ide 3it4 (.P+ H" Yuasa
(pendin5 )er5er o0 Yuasa and Mapan "tora5e Battery) 3it4 (-P+ Delp4i 3it4 BP+ 9atsus4ita 3it4 .P+ East Penn 3it4
AP+ F$A99 3it4 AP+ and all ot4ers 3it4 A&P' 4e purpose o0 a deep cycle *attery is to pro6ide po3er 0or 34eelc4airs+
trollin5 )otors+ 5ol0 carts+ *oats+ 0ork li0t trucks+ uninterrupti*le po3er supplies (!P")+ and ot4er accessories 0or )arine
and recreational 6e4icle (R8)+ co))ercial and stationary applications' A 5ood quality 3et deep cycle (or FleisureF)
*attery 3ill cost *et3een T&- and TA-- and+ i0 properly )aintained and used+ 3ill 5i6e you at least ,-- deep
disc4ar5ec4ar5e cycles' For di00erences *et3een a car and deep Cycle *attery+ please see "ection B'('C' Purportedly+
E7ide and Ener"ys are t4e t3o lar5est deep cycle *attery )anu0acturers in t4e 3orld' ,'(' Eo3 is a Battery 9adeL A
(,26olt lead2acid *attery is )ade up o0 si7 cells+ eac4 cell producin5 appro7i)ately ,'( 6olts t4at are connected in
series 0ro) P%"$$8E (Q) ter)inal o0 t4e 0irst cell to t4e NEHA$8E (2) ter)inal o0 t4e second cell and so on' Eac4 cell
is )ade up o0 an ele)ent containin5 positi6e plates t4at are all connected to5et4er and ne5ati6e plates+ 34ic4 are also
all connected to5et4er' 4ey are indi6idually separated 3it4 t4in s4eets o0 electrically insulatin5+ porous )aterial
Fen6elopesF or FseparatorsF (in t4e dia5ra) *elo3) t4at are used as spacers *et3een t4e positi6e (usually li54t oran5e)
and ne5ati6e (usually slate 5ray) plates to keep t4e) 0ro) electrically s4ortin5 to eac4 ot4er' 4e plates (in t4e
dia5ra) *elo3)+ 3it4in a cell+ alternate 3it4 a positi6e plate+ a ne5ati6e plate and so on' CAR BAERY
C%N"R!C$%N
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?"ource1 Euro*at@ DEEP CYCLE BAERY C%N"R!C$%N
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?"ource1 !" Depart)ent o0 Ener5y@ 4e )ost co))on plate in use today is )ade up o0 a )etal 5rid t4at ser6es as t4e
supportin5 0ra)e3ork 0or t4e acti6e porous )aterial t4at is FpastedF on it' A0ter t4e Fcurin5F o0 t4e plates+ t4ey are
)ade up into cells+ and t4e cells are inserted into a 4i542density tou54 polypropylene or 4ard ru**er case' 4e positi6e
plates in cells are connected in parallel to t4e e7ternal P%"$$8E (Q) ter)inal and t4e ne5ati6e plates in eac4 cell are
connected to t4e NEHA$8E (2) e7ternal ter)inal' $nstead o0 pasted Lead %7ide+ so)e *atteries are constructed 3it4
)ore e7pensi6e solid lead cylindrical (spiral 3ound)K
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9anc4ester or F9anc4e7F (*uttons inserted into t4e 5rid)K tu*ularK or pris)atic (0lat) solid lead (PlantU) positi6e plates'
4e case is co6ered and t4en 0illed 3it4 a dilute sul0uric acid electrolyte' 4e *attery is initially c4ar5ed or F0or)edF to
con6ert t4e acti6e yello3 Lead %7ide (P*% or Lit4ar5e) in t4e positi6e plates (cat4ode) into Lead Pero7ide (P*%,)+
34ic4 is usually dark *ro3n or *lack' 4e acti6e )aterial in t4e ne5ati6e pasted plates (anode) *eco)es spon5e
Lead(P*)+ *ut 3it4 a 6ery porous structure 34ic4 is slate 5ray' $0 spon5e Lead is ru**ed 3it4 a 4ard o*;ect+ it 3ill *e
sil6ery in color' 4e electrolyte is replaced and t4e *attery is 5i6en a 0inis4in5 c4ar5e' A F/et c4ar5edF *attery is a 3et
lead2acid *attery s4ipped 3it4 electrolyte in t4e *attery and a Fdry c4ar5edF *attery is s4ipped 3it4out electrolyte'
/4en dry c4ar5ed *atteries are sold+ electrolyte (*attery acid) is added+ allo3ed to soak into t4e plates+ is c4ar5ed (or
F0or)edF)+ and put into ser6ice' 4is a6oids 4a6in5 to )aintain t4e *atteries until t4ey are sold' PA"ED PLAE
?"ource1 BC$@ FLA AND !B!LAR PLAE
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PLANE PLAV
?"ource1 !" Depart)ent o0 Ener5y@ "P$RAL /%!ND PLAE
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?"ource1 !" Depart)ent o0 Ener5y@ 3o i)portant considerations in *attery construction are porosity and di00usion'
Porosity is t4e pits and tunnels in t4e plate t4at allo3s t4e sulp4uric acid to 5et to t4e interior o0 t4e plate' Di00usion is
t4e spreadin5+ inter)in5lin5 and )i7in5 o0 one 0luid 3it4 anot4er' /4en you are usin5 your *attery+ t4e 0res4 acid
needs to *e in contact 3it4 t4e plate )aterial and t4e 3ater 5enerated needs to *e carried a3ay 0ro) t4e plate' 4e
lar5er t4e pores or 3ar)er t4e electrolyte+ t4e *etter t4e di00usion'
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?"ource1 8arta@ 4ere is an e7cellent detailed description o0 4o3 *attery is )ade+ equip)ent used and quality
assurance on t4e Best 9anu0acturin5 Practices /e* site at 4ttp1GG333'*)pcoe'or5Gli*raryG*ooksGna6soP,-p2
A:B:Ginde7'4t)l' ?*ack to $nde7@
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,',' Eo3 Does a Battery /orkL D$"CEARH$NH PR%CE"" P*%, Q P* Q ,E,"%. W ,P*"%. Q E,%
CEARH$NH PR%CE"" (Re6erse o0 Disc4ar5in5 Process) ,P*"%. Q E,% W P*%, Q P* Q ,E,"%. A *attery is
created *y alternatin5 t3o di00erent )etals suc4 as Lead Dio7ide (P*%,)+ t4e positi6e plates+ and "pon5e lead (P*)+
t4e ne5ati6e plates' 4en t4e plates are i))ersed in diluted "ul0uric Acid (E,"%.)+ t4e electrolyte' 4e types o0
)etals and t4e electrolyte used 3ill deter)ine t4e output o0 a cell' A typical 0ully c4ar5ed lead2acid *attery produces
appro7i)ately ,'(( 6olts per cell' 4e c4e)ical action *et3een t4e )etals and t4e electrolyte (*attery acid) creates t4e
electrical ener5y' Ener5y 0lo3s 0ro) t4e *attery as soon as t4ere is an electrical load+ 0or e7a)ple+ a starter )otor+ t4at
co)pletes a circuit *et3een t4e positi6e and ne5ati6e ter)inals' Electrical current 0lo3s as c4ar5ed portions o0 acid
(ions) *et3een t4e *attery plates and as electrons t4rou54 t4e e7ternal circuit' 4e action o0 t4e lead2acid stora5e
*attery is
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deter)ined *y c4e)icals used+ "tate2o02C4ar5e+ te)perature+ porosity+ di00usion+ and load' A cycle is de0ined as one
disc4ar5e and one rec4ar5e o0 t4e *attery' A )ore detailed description o0 4o3 a *attery 3orks can *e 0ound on t4e
BC$ 3e* site at 4ttp1GG333'*atterycouncil'or5G3orks'4t)l' ?*ack to $nde7@ ,'A' Eo3 do Batteries DieL /4en t4e acti6e
)aterial in t4e plates can no lon5er sustain a disc4ar5e current+ t4e car *attery FdiesF' Nor)ally a *attery Fa5esF as t4e
acti6e positi6e plate )aterial s4eds (or 0lakes o00) due to t4e nor)al e7pansion and contraction t4at occurs durin5 t4e
disc4ar5e and c4ar5e cycles' 4is causes a loss o0 plate capacity and a *ro3n sedi)ent+ called slud5e or F)ud+F t4at
*uilds up in t4e *otto) o0 t4e case and can s4ort t4e plates o0 a cell out' $n 4ot cli)ates+ additional causes o0 0ailure
are positi6e 5rid 5ro3t4+ positi6e 5rid )etal corrosion+ ne5ati6e 5rid s4rinka5e+ *ucklin5 o0 plates+ or loss o0 3ater'
Deep disc4ar5es+ 4eat+ 6i*ration+ 0ast c4ar5in5+ and o6erc4ar5in5 all accelerate t4e Fa5in5F process' At appro7i)ately
&-P+ t4e nu)*er one cause o0 pre)ature car *attery 0ailure is loss o0 3ater caused 0ro) 4i54 under 4ood 4eat or
o6erc4ar5in5' Positi6e 5rid 5ro3t4 and underc4ar5in5 causin5 sul0ation also cause a lot o0 0ailures' For deep cycle and
startin5 *atteries t4at are not used 3eekly it is sul0ation+ at an esti)ated C&P' "ul0ation is caused 34en a *attery=s
"tate2o02C4ar5e drops *elo3 (--P 0or lon5 periods or under c4ar5in5' Eard lead sul0ate crystals 0ills t4e pours and
coats t4e plates' Please see "ection (: 0or )ore in0or)ation on sul0ation' Rec4ar5in5 a sul0ated *attery is like tryin5 to
3as4 your 4ands 3it4 5lo6es on' $n a 4ot cli)ate+ t4e 4ars4est en6iron)ent 0or a *attery+ a Mo4nson Controls sur6ey o0
;unk *atteries re6ealed t4at t4e a6era5e li0e o0 a car *attery 3as AB )ont4s' $n a separate Nort4 A)erican study *y
BC$+ t4e a6era5e li0e 3as .C )ont4s' $n a study *y $nterstate Batteries+ t4e li0e e7pectancy in e7tre)e 4eat 3as A-
)ont4s' $0 your car *attery is )ore t4an t4ree years old and you li6e in a 4ot cli)ate+ t4en your *attery is pro*a*ly
li6in5 on *orro3ed ti)e' A*nor)ally slo3 crankin5+ especially on a cold day+ is anot4er 5ood indication t4at your
*attery is 5oin5 *ad' $t s4ould *e e7ternally rec4ar5ed+ sur0ace c4ar5e re)o6ed+ and load tested' Dead *atteries
al)ost al3ays
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occur at t4e )ost inopportune ti)es' You can easily spend t4e cost o0 a ne3 *attery or )ore 0or an e)er5ency ;u)p
start+ to3 or ta7i ride' 9ost o0 t4e Fde0ecti6eF *atteries returned to )anu0acturers durin5 0ree replace)ent 3arranty
periods are 5ood' 4is stron5ly su55ests t4at so)e sellers o0 ne3 *atteries do not kno3 4o3 to or 0ail to take t4e ti)e
to properly rec4ar5e and test *atteries' 4is situation is i)pro6in5 3it4 t4e 3idespread use o0 easy to use conductance
type *attery testers like t4ose )ade *y 9idtronics and Cade7' 4ey are used to predict t4e capacity o0 t4e *atteries
3it4out 4a6in5 to 0ully rec4ar5e t4e) 0irst' ?*ack to $nde7@ ,'.' /4y Are 8e4icles Ne5ati6ely HroundedL 4e *est
e7planation to t4is question co)es 0ro) a (JBC Rolls2Royce Ent4usiasts= Clu* ser6ice )anual' F'''it 4as *een 0ound
t4at cars 3ired positi6e eart4 ?5round@ tend to su00er 0ro) c4assis and *ody corrosion )ore readily t4an t4ose 3ired
ne5ati6e eart4' 4e reason is per0ectly si)ple+ since )etallic corrosion is an electrolytic process 34ere t4e anode or
positi6e electrode corrodes sacri0icially to t4e cat4ode' 4e p4eno)enon is )ade use o0 in t4e FCat4odic ProtectionF o0
steel24ulled s4ips and under5round pipelines 34ere a less =no*le= or )ore electrone5ati6e )etal suc4 as )a5nesiu)
or alu)inu) is allo3ed to corrode sacri0icially to t4e steel t4us in4i*itin5 its corrosion'F''' For )ore in0or)ation on
cat4odic protection+ please read Ro5er Ale7ander=s article+ An idiots 5uide to cat4odic protection' By (J&:+ all t4e
Nort4 A)erican )anu0actured cars and trucks+ e7cept t4e 9etropolitan+ 3ere usin5 ne5ati6e (or eart4) 5roundin5' For
)ore speci0ic in0or)ation on 5roundin5 syste)s used in Nort4 A)erican 6e4icles+ please 5o to Antique Auto)o*ile
Radio=s c4art on 4ttp1GG333'antiqueauto)o*ileradio'co)G*attery'4t)'
'
?*ack to $nde7@ RRRPre6ious ?Eo)e@ ?op@ Ne7tOOO
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Car and Deep Cycle Battery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) "ection A
A' E%/ D% $ PERF%R9 PRE8EN$8E 9A$NENANCEL
Last !pdated on %cto*er ,A+ ,--. Per0or)in5 pre6enti6e )aintenance on *atteries is easy and s4ould occur at least
once a )ont4 durin5 4ot 3eat4er and e6ery t4ree )ont4s in cold 3eat4er' /4ile 3orkin5 3it4 car and deep cycle lead2
acid *atteries (and corrosion)+ please 3ear 5lasses to protect your eyes in t4e unlike e6en o0 an e7plosion' Eere are
so)e si)ple steps to )aintain your *attery1 A'(' Be0ore you start t4e en5ine 0or t4e 0irst ti)e durin5 t4e day+ c4eck t4e
electrolyte le6el 0or non2sealed 3et *atteries (3it4 0iller caps)' $0 a*o6e t4e plates and 0or all ot4er *attery types+ c4eck
t4e "tate2o02C4ar5e ("oC) o0 t4e *attery' Please see "ection .'. 0or )ore in0or)ation on deter)inin5 t4e "oC' $0 t4e
*attery is not 0ully c4ar5ed+ rec4ar5e it 3it4 an e7ternal *attery c4ar5er' Please see "ection J 0or )ore in0or)ation on
c4ar5in5' 4is is *ecause *ased on your dri6in5 4a*its+ so)e 6e4icle c4ar5in5 syste)s 4a6e *een kno3n to
consistently underc4ar5e t4e *attery causin5 an accu)ulation o0 lead sul0ate+ kno3 as sul0ation' "ul0ation reduces t4e
capacity o0 t4e *attery' A',' 4e plates need to *e co6ered at all ti)es to pre6ent sul0ation and reduce t4e possi*ility o0
an internal *attery e7plosion' For non2sealed 3et *atteries (3it4 0iller caps)+ i0 t4e electrolyte le6els are lo3+ allo3 t4e
*attery to cool to roo) te)perature 0irst and t4en add only distilled+ deioni>ed or de)inerali>ed 3ater to t4e le6el
indicated *y t4e *attery )anu0acturer or to 3it4in (G. to AGC inc4 (: to (- ))) *elo3 t4e *otto) o0 t4e 0iller tu*es (6ent
3ells or splas4 *arrels)' A6oid o6er0illin5+ especially in 4ot 3eat4er+ *ecause t4e 4eat 3ill cause t4e electrolyte to
e7pand and o6er0lo3' $n an e)er5ency+ use rain 3ater rat4er t4an residential re6erse os)osis (R%) 0ro) residential
syste)s or tap 3ater *ecause rain 3ater does not contain calciu) or )a5nesiu)' !sin5 R% or tap 3ater to re0ill
*atteries can produce calciu) sul0ate crystals t4at can 0ill t4e pores and coat t4e plates' "tate2o02C4ar5e ("oC)
readin5s 3ill *e inaccurate i))ediately a0ter t4e addition o0 3ater+ rec4ar5es or disc4ar5es' Please see "ection .'A'
ELECR%LYE F$LL LE8EL"
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?"ource1 9ountain op Hol0 Cars@ A'A' i54ten loose 4old2do3n cla)ps+ *attery ter)inals and connectors' A'.'
Re)o6e any corrosion+ lead o7idation+ paint or rust 3it4 a *rass 3ire *attery *rus4 (*rus4in5 t4e corrosion a3ay 0ro)
you) or F"cotc4BriteF pad 0ro) t4e ter)inal=s )atin5 sur0aces on *ot4 ends o0 eac4 *attery ca*les+ *attery posts or
ter)inals+ and en5ine 5roundin5 strap connections' (A sti00 steel 3ire *rus4 )ay da)a5e protecti6e lead platin5 on
copper connectors or ter)inals') Eea6y corrosion can *e neutrali>ed 3it4 a )i7ture o0 one pound o0 *akin5 soda
(*icar*onate o0 soda) to one 5allon o0 3ar) 3ater' Coca2Cola or Pepsi also can *e used to dissol6e corrosion' Bare
)etal to )etal )atin5 sur0aces are required 0or 5ood current conducti6ity' o pre6ent corrosion on ter)inals+ t4inly
coat t4e ter)inals+ ter)inal cla)ps and e7posed )etal around t4e car *attery 3it4 4i54 te)perature 34eel *earin5
5rease or silicone' Do not use t4e 0elt or )etal 3as4ers *et3een t4e )atin5 conducti6e sur0aces 3it4 Heneral 9otors2
type side ter)inals' For deep cycle *atteries+ use FNo %7ide AF (or t4e *attery )anu0acturer=s reco))ended 5rease)
on t4e ter)inals and connectors' Do not use t4e 0elt or )etal 3as4ers *et3een t4e )atin5 conducti6e sur0aces 3it4
side+ stud or FLF ter)inal *atteries' !se o0 so)e stainless steel alloys and ot4er )etal 3as4ers+
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nuts and *olts 4a6e also *een kno3n to cause pro*le)s 3it4 electrolysis and 4i54 resistance' Corrosion is caused *y
one or )ore t4e 0ollo3in51
q
Dirty or 3et *attery tops nor)ally caused 0ro) e7pansion o0 electrolyte 0ro) o6er0illed cells or 3eepin5 0or) 0aulty
*attery ter)inal seals Acid 0u)es leakin5 t4rou54 t4e 6ent caps+ 34ic4 could *e a si5n o0 o6erc4ar5in5 Electrolysis
due to t4e )is)atc4 o0 )etal alloys used in t4e *attery posts and ter)inals
q
q
A'&' Clean t4e *attery top to eli)inate conducti6e pat4s created *y dried or 3et electrolyte and to pre6ent corrosion'
A':' Clean t4e alternator or c4ar5in5 syste) to allo3 *etter 4eat trans0er and c4eck t4e alternator *elts 0or cracks and
correct tension' A'B' Replace any *attery ca*les (or ca*le ter)inals) t4at are corrodin5+ s3ellin5 or da)a5ed 3it4
equal or lar5er dia)eter ca*le' $0 electrical pro*le)s are e7perienced in 6e4icles 3it4 H9=s side ter)inal connectors+
c4eck 0or corrosion inside t4e positi6e ter)inal 3it4 t4e )ultiple ca*les' Lar5er ca*le and ca*le connectors are *etter
*ecause t4ere is )ore sur0ace area and less 6olta5e drop' Please see E7ide=s 8olta5e Drop in Ca*les 0or additional
in0or)ation' A'C' Replace t4e *attery i0 t4e *attery case is cracked or leakin5+ especially around FH9F style side
ter)inals' RRRPre6ious ?Eo)e@ ?op@ Ne7tOOO
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Car and Deep Cycle Battery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) "ection .
.' E%/ D% $ E" A BAERYL
Last !pdated on Dece)*er ((+ ,--. $NDES1 .'(' $nspect .',' C4ar5e .'A' Re)o6e "ur0ace C4ar5e .'.' 9easure
"tate2o02C4ar5e ("oC) Eo3 Do $ !se a Eydro)eterL Lo3 9aintenance Battery "tate2o02C4ar5e ("oC) a*le
9aintenance Free and 8RLA Battery "tate2o02C4ar5e ("oC) a*le "tate2o02C4ar5e ("oC) e)perature Co)pensation
a*le .'&' Capacity Load est Capacity Load est a*le .':' Bounce Back est .'B' Rec4ar5e .'C' Re0ill /4ile
3orkin5 3it4 car and deep cycle lead2acid *atteries+ please 4elp to pre6ent *lindness and 3ear 5lasses in t4e unlikely
e6ent o0 an e7plosion' Belo3 are ei54t si)ple steps in testin5 a car or deep cycle *attery' Alternati6ely+ so)e auto
parts or *attery stores in t4e !nited "tates and Canada+ like Auto None+ "ears+ /al29art+ Pep Boys+ etc'+ 3ill test your
*attery+ c4ar5in5 syste) and starter 0or 0ree' $0 you 4a6e a non2sealed 3et *attery (3it4 0iller caps)+ it is 4i54ly
reco))ended t4at you use a 5ood quality te)perature co)pensatin5 4ydro)eter+ like an E2N Red "P(-(+ 34ic4 can
*e purc4ased online at Battery"tu00'co) or at an auto parts or *attery store 0or less t4an T(-' $0 you 4a6e a sealed
*attery or need to trou*les4oot a c4ar5in5 or electrical syste)+ you 3ill need a di5ital 6olt)eter 3it4 -'&P (or *etter)
DC accuracy+ suc4 as a Fluke (B&' A di5ital 6olt)eter can *e purc4ased at an electronics store 0or less t4an T,--'
Analo5 6olt)eters are not accurate enou54 to )easure t4e )illi6olt di00erences o0 a *attery=s "tate2o02C4ar5e or output
o0 t4e c4ar5in5 syste)' Do not use a (,26olt test li54t to trou*les4oot 6e4icle electrical circuits+ e7cept 0or testin5 t4e
parasitic load at t4e *attery+ *ecause you )i54t da)a5e t4e e)issions co)puter or ot4er sensiti6e electronic de6ices'
A 5ood source o0 in0or)ation on )easurin5 6olta5e and 0or )a7i)u) 6olta5e drops can *e 0ound at E7ide=s Carin5 For
Your Battery' A *attery load tester is optional' Anot4er 3ay o0 testin5 t4e CCA (Cold Crankin5 A)p) or
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capacity o0 lead2acid car *atteries is *y usin5 a conductance tester+ suc4 as a 9idtronics or Cade7 "pectro CA2(,'
4e )ost accurate 3ay o0 testin5 a startin5 or deep cycle *attery is a 0ull capacity load test a0ter allo3in5 t4e *attery to
rest 0or ,. 4ours a0ter a rec4ar5e' ?*ack to $nde7@ .'(' $nspect 8isually inspect 0or o*6ious pro*le)s suc4 as a lo3
electrolyte le6elsK loose+ corroded or s3ollen ca*les+ corroded *attery ter)inals+ or postsK loose or *roken alternator
*eltK 0ro>en *atteryK loose 4old2do3n cla)psK dirty or 3et *attery topK or a leakin5+ cracked or da)a5ed *attery case' $0
t4e electrolyte le6els are *elo3 t4e tops o0 t4e plates+ add enou54 distilled+ deioni>ed or de)inerali>ed 3ater to co6er
t4e plates and rec4ar5e t4e *attery+ allo3 to cool to roo) te)perature and t4en top o00 t4e le6els' 4e plates need to
*e co6ered at all ti)es to pre6ent sul0ation and reduce t4e possi*ility o0 an internal *attery e7plosion' Please see
"ection A', 0or electrolyte 0ill le6el dia5ra)' .',' C4ar5e C4ar5e t4e *attery to (--P "tate2o02C4ar5e' $0 non2sealed
*attery 4as a '-A- (so)eti)es e7pressed as A- FpointsF) or )ore di00erence in speci0ic 5ra6ity readin5 *et3een t4e
lo3est and 4i54est cell or i0 a cell is '-(- or (- FpointsF *elo3 t4e readin5 0or a 0ully c4ar5ed cell+ t4en you s4ould
equali>e t4e *attery usin5 t4e *attery )anu0acturer=s procedures' (Please see "ection J') ?*ack to $nde7@ .'A' Re)o6e
"ur0ace C4ar5e "ur0ace c4ar5e (or counter 6olta5e) is t4e une6en )i7ture o0 sul0uric acid and 3ater alon5 t4e sur0ace
o0 t4e plates as a result o0 c4ar5in5 or disc4ar5in5 as t4e electrolyte 4as an opportunity to di00use in t4e pores o0 t4e
plates' $t 3ill )ake a 3eak *attery appear 5ood or a 5ood *attery appear *ad' You need to eli)inate t4e sur0ace
c4ar5e *y one o0 t4e 0ollo3in5 )et4ods a0ter rec4ar5in5 a lead2acid car *attery1 .'A'(' Allo3 t4e *attery to sit (or rest)
3it4out disc4ar5e or rec4ar5e 0or *et3een si7 to t3el6e 4ours in a 3ar) roo)+ i0 possi*le+ to allo3 0or t4e sur0ace
c4ar5e to dissipate' (Reco))ended )et4od') .'A',' urn t4e 4eadli54ts on 4i54 *ea) 0or 0i6e )inutes+ turn t4e) o00+
and 3ait 0i6e to ten )inutes' .'A'A' /it4 a *attery load tester+ apply a load at one24al0 t4e *attery=s CCA ratin5 0or (&
seconds and t4en 3ait 0i6e to ten )inutes' .'A'.' Disa*le t4e i5nition+ turn t4e en5ine o6er 0or (& seconds 3it4 t4e
starter )otor+ and 3ait 0i6e to ten )inutes' .'A'&' Apply a load t4at is AAP o0 t4e a)pere24our capacity 0or 0i6e )inutes
and 3ait 0i6e to ten )inutes' .'A':' /it4 a *attery load tester+ apply a load is one t4ird t4e *attery=s a)p24our ratin5 0or
0i6e )inutes and 3ait 0i6e to ten )inutes'
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?*ack to $nde7@ .'.' 9easure t4e "tate2o02C4ar5e ("oC)
E%/ D% $ !"E A EYDR%9EERL A 4ydro)eter is an ine7pensi6e a 0loat2type de6ice used to )easure t4e
concentration o0 sul0uric acid ("peci0ic Hra6ity) o0 *attery electrolyte (F*attery acidF)' Fro) t4is readin5 you can easily
and accurately deter)ine a non2sealed *attery=s "tate2o02C4ar5e' A 4ydro)eter is a 5lass *arrel or plastic container
3it4 a ru**er no>>le or 4ose on one end and a so0t ru**er *ul* on t4e ot4er' $nside t4e *arrel or container+ t4ere is a
0loat and cali*rated 5raduations used 0or t4e "peci0ic Hra6ity )easure)ent' 4e 0ollo3in5 is a list o0 instructions on
4o3 to correctly use a *attery 4ydro)eter1 BAERY EYDR%9EER"
?"ource1 Popular 9ec4anics@
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?E2N Red "P(-(@ (' $0 t4e *attery 4as *een c4ar5ed 3it4in t4e last 0our 4ours+ re)o6e t4e "ur0ace C4ar5e' $0 t4e
*attery 4as *een disc4ar5ed 3it4in t4e last (& )inutes+ 3ait 0or at least (& )inutes *e0ore testin5 it' ,' /4ile 4oldin5 a
clean 4ydro)eter 6ertically and 3earin5 5lasses+ squee>e t4e ru**er *ul*+ insert t4e no>>le into t4e electrolyte in t4e
cell+ and release t4e *ul*' 4e electrolyte 3ill *e sucked up into t4e *arrel or container allo3in5 t4e 0loat to ride 0reely'
"tart 3it4 t4e cell t4at is closest to t4e P%"$$8E (Q) ter)inal' A' "quee>e t4e ru**er *ul* to release t4e electrolyte
*ack into t4e *attery=s cell' .' o increase t4e accuracy o0 t4e )easure)ent+ in t4e sa)e cell+ repeat t4is process
se6eral ti)es so t4e 0loat 3ill reac4 t4e sa)e te)perature as t4e electrolyte' $0 you are )easurin5 a lar5e *attery+
strati0ication can occur 34en t4e )ore concentrated electrolyte settles to t4e *otto)' $0 you notice a di00erence in t4e
readin5s *et3een t4e top and *otto) o0 t4e cell+ a6era5e t4e t3o
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readin5s' &' At eye le6el and 3it4 t4e 0loat steady+ read t4e "peci0ic Hra6ity at t4e point t4e sur0ace o0 t4e electrolyte
crosses t4e 0loat )arkin5s' 4e "peci0ic Hra6ity readin5 s4ould *e *et3een ('(-- and ('A--' :' Release t4e
electrolyte *ack into t4e cell 0ro) 34ic4 it 3as taken and record t4e readin5' Be sure to a6oid spilla5e' B' $0 t4e
4ydro)eter is not te)perature co)pensatin5+ )easure t4e electrolyte te)perature' $0 t4e electrolyte te)perature is not
C-D F (,:'BD C)+ t4en co)pensate t4e readin5 usin5 t4e e)perature Co)pensation a*le and e7a)ples in "ection
.'. and deter)ine t4e "tate o0 C4ar5e 0ro) t4e "oC a*le' $0 t4e 4ydro)eter is te)perature co)pensatin5+ deter)ine
t4e "tate o0 C4ar5e directly 0ro) t4e "oC a*le' C' Repeat t4e process 0or eac4 indi6idual cell' 4e "peci0ic Hra6ity
readin5 s4ould not 4a6e a di00erence o0 )ore t4at A- FpointsF ('-A-) *et3een t4e lo3est and 4i54est readin5 or (-
FpointsF ('-(-) *elo3 t4e *attery )anu0acturer=s reco))ended te)perature 6alue 3it4 t4e *attery 0ully c4ar5ed' $0 so+
try and equali>e t4e t4e *attery *y 0ollo3in5 t4e *attery )anu0acturer=s procedures or t4e procedure in "ection J' $0
equali>in5 does not 4elp+ replace t4e *attery' You can deter)ine t4e *attery=s "tate2o02C4ar5e *y takin5 t4e a6era5e
o0 t4e te)perature co)pensated cell readin5s' J' 4rou54ly rinse t4e 4ydro)eter 3it4 3ater a0ter usin5 it'
?*ack to $nde7@ $0 t4e *attery=s electrolyte is a*o6e (,&D F (&('&D C)+ allo3 it to cool' o deter)ine t4e *attery=s "oC
3it4 t4e *attery=s electrolyte te)perature at C-D F (,:'BD C)+ please use t4e one o0 t4e 0ollo3in5 ta*les dependin5 on
*attery type' 4e Lo3 9aintenance Battery "oC ta*le 4as a *aseline t4at assu)es t4at a (',:& speci0ic 5ra6ity and
(,':& %pen Circuit 8olta5e (%C8) readin5 is a 0ully c4ar5ed ((--P)+ 3et+ Lo3 9aintenance ("*GCa) lead2acid *attery
at rest and 3it4 an open circuit (no e7ternal current runnin5 t4rou54 it and t4e ne5ati6e *attery ca*le disconnected)'
4e 8RLA Battery "oC ta*le 4as a *aseline t4at assu)es t4at a (,'C %pen Circuit 8olta5e (%C8) readin5 is a 0ully
c4ar5ed ((--P)+ 8al6e Re5ulated (AH9 or Hel Cell) Lead2Acid (8RLA) *attery at rest and 3it4 an open circuit (no
e7ternal current runnin5 t4rou54 it and t4e ne5ati6e *attery ca*le disconnected)' For electrolyte te)peratures ot4er
t4an C-D F (,:'BD C)+ please use t4e e)perature Co)pensation ta*le *elo3 to ad;ust t4e %pen Circuit 8olta5e (%C8)
or "peci0ic Hra6ity readin5s' 4e "peci0ic Hra6ity or %C8 readin5s 0or a *attery at (--P "oC 3ill 6ary *y plate
c4e)istry+ so c4eck t4e *attery )anu0acturer=s speci0ications 0or t4eir "tate2o02C4ar5e de0initions 0or your *attery' $0
you do not kno3 t4e *aseline 0or your *attery at (--P "oC+ please see "ection J'&' Eo3 Do $ #no3 /4en 9y Battery
$s Fully C4ar5edL A 0ully c4ar5ed 3et *attery at C-D F (,:'BD C)+ can ran5e 0ro) (',(& to ('A-- "peci0ic Hra6ity ((,',,
to (A'-- 8DC) and a sealed 8RLA Hel Cell or AH9 *attery 0ro) (',C& to ('A(- ((,'C& to (A'( 8DC)' L%/
9A$NENANCE BAERY
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"AE2%F2CEARHE ("oC) Di5ital 8olt)eter Appro7i)ate Appro7i)ate Eydro)eter %pen Circuit "tate2o02C4ar5e
Deep2o0A6era5e Cell 8olta5e at Rest at C-DF (,:'BDC) Disc4ar5e at C-D "peci0ic Hra6ity F (,:'BDC) (,':& (--P -P
(',:& (,'.& (,',. (,'-: (('CJ or less B&P &-P ,&P D$"CEARHED ,&P &-P B&P (--P (',,& ('(J- ('(&& ('(,-
or less Electrolyte Free>e Point 2BBDF (2:BDC) 2A&DF (2ABDC) 2(-DF (2,ADC) (&DF (2JDC) ,-DF (2BDC)
?"ource1 BC$@ ?*ack to $nde7@
9A$NENANCE FREE and 8RLA BAERY "AE2%F2CEARHE ("oC) Di5ital 8olt)eter Appro7i)ate Appro7i)ate
%pen Circuit "tate2o02C4ar5e Dept42o08olta5e at Rest at C-DF (,:'BDC) Disc4ar5e at C-D F (,:'BDC) (,'C (--P -P
(,': B&P ,&P (,'. &-P &-P (,'- ,&P B&P (('C or less D$"CEARHED (--P ?*ack to $nde7@
"AE2%F2CEARHE E9PERA!RE C%9PEN"A$%N Electrolyte e)perature De5rees Fa4ren4eit (,-D ((-D
Electrolyte e)perature De5rees Celsius .C'JD .A'AD Add or "u*tract Add or "u*tract to to Eydro)eter=s Di5ital
8olt)eter=s "H Readin5 Readin5 Q'-(: Q'-(, 2'-(A 2'-((
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(--D J-D C-D B-D :-D &-D .-D A-D ,-D (-D -D
AB'CD A,',D ,:'BD ,('(D (&':D (-D .'.D 2('(D 2:'BD 2(,',D 2(B'CD
Q'--C Q'--. - 2'--. 2'--C 2'-(, 2'-(: 2'-,- 2'-,. 2'-,C 2'-A, ?*ack to $nde7@
2'--C 2'--& - Q'--B Q'-(: Q'-,C Q'-.. Q'-:, Q'-C. Q'(-C Q'(A.
Electrolyte te)perature co)pensation+ dependin5 on t4e *attery )anu0acturer=s de0inition o0 (--P "tate2o02C4ar5e+
3ill 6ary' $0 you are usin5 a di5ital DC 6olt)eter or a nonte)perature co)pensated EYDR%9EER+ )ake t4e
ad;ust)ents indicated in t4e ta*le a*o6e' Please note t4at so)e *attery )anu0acturers e7press t4eir "oC de0initions at
BBD F (,&D C)+ and so)e sli54t te)perature co)pensation s4ould occur to nor)ali>e t4e de0initions at C-D F (,:'BD C)
to use t4e ta*les a*o6e' For e7a)ple+ i0 t4e electrolyte is at C-D F (,:'BD C)+ and t4e speci0ic 5ra6ity readin5 is (',:&
0or a (--P "oC+ 34en t4e electrolyte is at ,-D F (2:'BD C)+ t4e actual speci0ic 5ra6ity readin5 3ould *e (',CJ 0or a
(--P "tate2o02C4ar5e *ecause t4e liquid is )ore dense' Eo3e6er+ 34en you su*tract '-,. 0ro) (',CJ+ t4e corrected
readin5 3ould *e (',:& or (--P "tate2o02C4ar5e' At (--D F (AB'CD C)+ t4e actual speci0ic 5ra6ity readin5 3ould *e
(',&B 0or (--P "oC+ *ut t4e co)pensated readin5+ a0ter '--C is added+ 3ould *e (',:& 0or (--P "tate2o02C4ar5e'
4is is 34y usin5 a te)perature co)pensated 4ydro)eter is 4i54ly reco))ended and )ore accurate' $0 you are usin5
an accurate ('&P or *etter) D$H$AL DC 8%L9EER+ )ake t4e ad;ust)ents indicated in t4e ta*le a*o6e' For
e7a)ple+ i0 t4e electrolyte is at C-D F (,:'BD C)+ and t4e 6olta5e readin5 is (,':& 0or a (--P "tate2o02C4ar5e+ 34en t4e
electrolyte is at ,-D F (2:'BD C)+ t4e actual 6olta5e readin5 3ould *e (,'&:: 0or a (--P "tate2o02C4ar5e' Be0ore you
correct t4e readin5 *y addin5 '-C.A 6olts (C.'A )illi6olts)' At (--D F (AB'CD C)+ t4e actual 6olta5e readin5 3ould *e
(,':&C 0or (--P "oC' For 3et non2sealed *atteries+ please c4eck t4e speci0ic 5ra6ity in eac4 cell 3it4 a 4ydro)eter
and a6era5e cells readin5s' For sealed *atteries+ )easure t4e %pen Circuit 8olta5e (%C8) across t4e *attery
ter)inals 3it4 an accurate ('&P or *etter) di5ital DC 6olt)eter' 4is is t4e only 3ay you can deter)ine t4e *attery=s
"oC' "o)e sealed 3et *atteries 4a6e a *uilt2in 4ydro)eter+ F9a5ic EyeF+ 34ic4 only )easures t4e "tate2o02C4ar5e in
%NE o0 its si7 cells' F9a5ic EyeF Built2in Eydro)eter
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?"ource1 Popular 9ec4anics@ $0 t4e "tate2o02C4ar5e is BEL%/ B&P usin5 eit4er t4e "peci0ic Hra6ity+ 6olta5e test or
t4e *uiltin 4ydro)eter does not indicate F5oodF (5reen or *lue)+ t4en t4e *attery 4as a lo3 c4ar5e and needs to *e
rec4ar5ed *e0ore proceedin5' $0 t4e *attery is sealed+ t4e *attery could 4a6e lo3 electrolyte+ especially in a 4ot cli)ate'
You s4ould replace t4e *attery+ i0 one o0 t4e 0ollo3in5 conditions occur1 .'.'(' $0 t4ere is a '-&- (so)eti)es e7pressed
as &- FpointsF) or )ore di00erence in t4e speci0ic 5ra6ity readin5 *et3een t4e 4i54est and lo3est cell+ you 4a6e a 3eak
or dead cell(s)' Applyin5 an EQ!AL$N$NH c4ar5e per t4e *attery )anu0acturer=s procedures )ay correct t4is condition'
(Please see "ection J') .'.',' $0 t4e *attery 3ill not rec4ar5e to a B&P or )ore "tate2o02C4ar5e le6el or i0 t4e *uilt2in
4ydro)eter still does not indicate F5oodF (5reen or *lue)+ 34ic4 indicates a :&P "oC or *etter)' .'.'A' $0 a )oderate
load is applied and i0 t4ere is no or 6ery little current 0lo3in5 t4ere is an pro*a*ly an open cell or a co)pletely sul0ated
*attery' /it4out a load+ a 6olt)eter readin5 )ay or )ay not indicate an open' .'.'.' $0 t4e di5ital 6olt)eter indicates
(-'.& to (-':& 6olts+ t4ere pro*a*ly is a s4orted cell' A s4orted cell is caused *y plates touc4in5+ sedi)ent (F)udF)
*uild2up or Ftreein5F *et3een t4e plates' ?*ack to $nde7@ .'&' Capacity Load est $0 t4e *attery=s "tate2o02C4ar5e is at
B&P or 4i54er or 4as a F5oodF *uilt2in 4ydro)eter indication+ t4en you can load test t4e car or deep cycle *attery *y
one o0 t4e 0ollo3in5 )et4ods' .'&'(' Car Batteries1 .'&'('(' /it4 a *attery load tester+ apply a load equal to one 4al0 o0
t4e CCA ratin5 o0 t4e *attery 0or (& seconds' (Reco))ended )et4od)' .'&'(',' /it4 a *attery load tester+ apply a load
equal to one 4al0 t4e %E9 cold crankin5 a)p speci0ication 0or (& seconds'
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.'&'('A' Disa*le t4e i5nition and turn t4e en5ine o6er 0or (& seconds 3it4 t4e starter )otor' D!R$NH t4e load test+ t4e
6olta5e on a 5ood car *attery 3ill N% drop *elo3 t4e 0ollo3in5 ta*le=s indicated 6olta5e 0or t4e electrolyte at t4e
te)peratures s4o3n1
Capacity Load est
Electrolyte e)perature Fa4ren4eit (--D J-D C-D B-D :-D &-D .-D A-D ,-D (-D -D Electrolyte e)perature Celsius AB'CD
A,',D ,:'BD ,('(D (&':D (-'-D .'.D 2('(D 2:'BD 2(,',D 2(B'CD ?"ource1 BC$@ ?*ack to $nde7@ .'&',' Deep Cycle Batteries1 $0
t4e *attery is 0ully c4ar5ed or 4as a F5oodF *uilt2in 4ydro)eter indication+ t4en you can test t4e capacity o0 a deep
cycle *attery *y applyin5 a kno3n load and )easurin5 t4e ti)e it take to disc4ar5e t4e *attery until )easures &-P
"oC as de0ined *y t4e *attery )anu0acturer' Nor)ally a disc4ar5e rate t4at 3ill disc4ar5e a *attery in ,- 4ours can *e
used' For e7a)ple+ i0 you 4a6e an C- a)pere24our rated *attery+ t4en an a6era5e load o0 0our a)ps 3ould disc4ar5e
t4e *attery to &-P "oC in appro7i)ately (- 4ours' For an esti)ate o0 t4e *attery=s capacity+ dou*le t4e a)ount o0 ti)e
it took to disc4ar5e to &-P "oC and )ultiply *y t4e a6era5e disc4ar5e rate in a)ps' "o)e ne3 *atteries can take up
to A- c4ar5eGdisc4ar5e Fpreconditionin5F cycles *e0ore t4ey reac4 t4eir rated capacity' Dependin5 on your application+
0ully c4ar5ed *atteries 3it4 C-P or less o0 t4eir ori5inal rated capacity a6aila*le are considered to *e *ad' $0 t4e deep
cycle *attery passed t4e Capacity Load est+ t4en skip t4e ne7t test+ "ection .': Bounce Back est and 5o to "ection
.'B' Rec4ar5e *elo3' ?*ack to $nde7@ .':' Bounce Back est 9ini)u) 8olta5e !nder L%AD J'J J'C J'B J': J'& J'. J'A
J'( C'J C'B C'&
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$0 t4e car *attery 4as passed t4e load test+ please 5o to "ection .'B' Rec4ar5e *elo3' $0 not+ re)o6e t4e load+ 3ait ten
)inutes+ and )easure t4e "tate2o02C4ar5e' $0 t4e *attery *ounces *ack to less t4an B&P "oC t4en rec4ar5e t4e
*attery (please see "ection J') and load test a5ain' $0 t4e car *attery 0ails t4e load test a second ti)e or *ounces *ack
to less t4an B&P "oC+ t4en replace t4e *attery *ecause it lacks t4e necessary CCA capacity' ?*ack to $nde7@ .'B'
Rec4ar5e You s4ould rec4ar5e your *attery to (--P "oC as soon as possi*le to pre6ent lead sul0ation and to restore
it to peak per0or)ance' ?*ack to $nde7@ .'C' Re0ill /4en t4e non2sealed 3et *attery (3it4 0iller caps) 4as cooled to roo)
te)perature+ rec4eck t4e electrolyte le6els and+ i0 necessary+ 0ill to t4e correct le6el' Please see "ection A', 0or
electrolyte 0ill le6el dia5ra)' ?*ack to $nde7@ RRRPre6ious ?Eo)e@ ?op@ Ne7tOOO
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Car and Deep Cycle Battery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) "ection &
&' E%/ D% $ #N%/ $F 9Y CEARH$NH "Y"E9 $" %# %R LARHE EN%!HEL
Last !pdated on No6e)*er C+ ,--. $NDES1 &'(' /4at $0 9y FBatteryF or FAlternatorF Li54t $s %nL (%r t4e Hau5e $s Not
"4o3in5 a FC4ar5in5F ConditionL) C4ar5in5 "yste) Functional Dia5ra) Alternator %utput Hrap4 8e4icle C4ar5in5
8olta5e Hrap4 &',' /4at $0 $ Cannot #eep 9y Battery C4ar5ed and t4e Battery ests %#L &'A' Eo3 Can $ est o
Deter)ine $0 C4ar5in5 "yste) $s Lar5e Enou54L &'(' /4at $0 9y FBatteryF or FAlternatorF Li54t $s %nL (%r t4e Hau5e
$s Not "4o3in5 a FC4ar5in5F ConditionL) 4e FBatteryF or FAlternatorF li54t is an indication t4at t4ere is a si5ni0icant
)is)atc4 *et3een t4e 6olta5e t4at t4e c4ar5in5 syste) is producin5 and t4e *attery 6olta5e' "o)e 6e4icles use a
6olt)eter or current )eter to indicate i0 t4e c4ar5in5 syste) is 3orkin5' 4e *attery and c4ar5in5 syste) )ust 3ork
to5et4er to pro6ide t4e electrical po3er 0or t4e 6e4icle and to keep t4e *attery rec4ar5ed so it can restart t4e en5ine'
4e )ost co))on causes+ in t4e order o0 priority+ are1
q
Lo3 electrolyte le6els "lippin5 or *roken alternator *elt Corrosion *et3een t4e *attery posts and t4e *attery ca*le
ter)inals Faulty c4ar5in5 syste) De0ecti6e *attery
q
q
q
q
$0 t4e electrolyte le6els+ alternator *elt is %# and t4e *attery ter)inal connections are 0ree 0ro) corrosion+ t4en take
your 6e4icle to an auto parts or *attery store+ and 4a6e t4e *attery and c4ar5in5 syste) tested (4i54ly reco))ended)
or use t4e trou*les4ootin5 5uide *elo3' $n t4e !nited "tates and Canada+ so)e stores like Auto None+ "ears+ /al2
9art+ Pep Boys+ etc'+ 3ill test t4e) 0or 0ree' %ne o0 t4e 0irst t4ree si)ple 0aults in t4e list a*o6e 4as caused )any a
5ood *attery to *e replaced' A ne3 *attery can cause a 3eak alternator or starter to 0ail' Re0errin5 to Dan 9asters=
dia5ra) *elo3+ a 6e4icle=s c4ar5in5 syste) is co)posed o0 an alternator (or DC 5enerator)+ 6olta5e re5ulator+ *attery+
and indicator li54t or 5au5e' /4ile t4e en5ine is runnin5+ t4e c4ar5in5 syste)=s pri)ary purpose is to pro6ide po3er 0or
t4e car=s electrical load+ 0or e7a)ple+ i5nition+ li54tin5+ audio syste)+ accessories+ etc'+ and to rec4ar5e your 6e4icle=s
*attery' $ts output
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capacity is directly proportional to t4e RP9 o0 t4e en5ine and alternator te)perature' C4ar5in5 syste)s are nor)ally
si>ed *y t4e car )anu0acturers to pro6ide at least (,&P (34en operatin5 at 4i54 RP9) o0 t4e 3orst2case %E9
(%ri5inal Equip)ent 9anu0acturer) electrical load+ so t4at t4e car *attery can *e rec4ar5ed' 4at is t4e reason t4at
s4ort+ stop and 5o dri6in5 at ni54t or in *ad 3eat4er )i54t not keep t4e *attery 0ully rec4ar5ed+ especially i0 t4e
electrical load 4as *een increased 3it4 a0ter )arket accessories+ suc4 as 4i54 po3er audio equip)ent' CEARH$NH
"Y"E9 F!NC$%NAL D$AHRA9
?"ource1 8inta5e riu)p4 Re5ister@ $n t4e Bal)ar Alternator %utput dia5ra) *elo3+ t4e po3er output cur6es are
s4o3n :& a)p and C& a)p alternator' Note t4at t4e :& a)p alternator in t4is e7a)ple+ produces )ore current output
(po3er) at a lo3er RP9 t4at does t4e lar5er alternator until appro7i)ately AA-- RP9' Also note t4e di00erence t4at t4e
cranks4a0t pulley si>e )akes' A lar5er cranks4a0t pulley 3ill create a 4i54er alternator RP9K t4us+ causin5 t4e
alternator to produce )ore po3er at a lo3er en5ine RP9' An alternation require one 4orsepo3er on a diesel en5ine to
produce ,- to ,& a)ps and 0or 5as en5ine (- to (& a)ps' ALERNA%R %!P! HRAPE
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?"ource1 Bal)ar@ /4en t4e c4ar5in5 syste) 0ails+ usually a F*atteryF or FalternatorF 3arnin5 indicator or li54t 3ill co)e
on or t4e 6olta5e (or a)p) 5au5e 3ill not re5ister F5oodF' $0 you increase t4e en5ine speed and t4e alternator li54t
*eco)es *ri54ter+ t4en t4e *attery needs to *e 0ully rec4ar5ed and tested' $0 t4e li54t *eco)es di))er t4en t4e
pro*le) is )ost likely in t4e c4ar5in5 syste)' 4e indicator (also kno3n as an FidiotF) li54t is a direct co)parison
*et3een t4e 6olta5e output o0 c4ar5in5 syste) and t4e 6olta5e output o0 t4e *attery' 4e ne7t test requires use o0 a
kno3n2to2*e25ood+ 0ully c4ar5ed *attery' e)porarily replace t4e old *attery 3it4 t4is *attery and run t4e en5ine at
,&-- RP9 or )ore 0or t3o )inutes' Dependin5 on t4e load and a)*ient te)perature+ t4e 6olta5e s4ould increase to
*et3een (A'- and (&'( 6olts durin5 t4is period' 9ost 6e4icles 3it4 5ood c4ar5in5 syste)s 3ill )easure *et3een (A'C
and (.'C 6olts on a 3ar) day+ dependin5 on t4e *attery type t4at t4e c4ar5in5 syste) 3as desi5ned 0or' As in t4e
Bosc4 8olta5e Re5ulator e7a)ple *elo3+ )ost 6olta5e re5ulators are te)perature co)pensated to properly c4ar5e
t4e *attery under di00erent en6iron)ental conditions' As t4e a)*ient te)perature decreases *elo3 BBD F (,&D C)+ t4e
c4ar5in5 6olta5e is increased to o6erco)e t4e 4i54er *attery resistance' Con6ersely+ as t4e a)*ient te)perature
increases a*o6e BBD F (,&D C)+ t4e c4ar5in5 6olta5e is decreased' %t4er 0actors a00ectin5 t4e c4ar5in5 6olta5e are t4e
alternator te)perature+ *attery=s condition+ "tate2o02C4ar5e ("oC)+ sul0ation+ electrical load and electrolyte purity'
8EE$CLE CEARH$NH 8%LAHE HRAPE
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?"ource1 Bosc4@ $0 a *attery ter)inal=s 6olta5e is *elo3 (A'- 6olts 3it4 t4e en5ine runnin5 and t4e *attery tests 5ood
a0ter *ein5 rec4ar5ed or i0 you are still 4a6in5 pro*le)s keepin5 t4e car *attery c4ar5ed+ t4en 4a6e t4e c4ar5in5
syste)=s output 6olta5e and load tested' Also+ 4a6e t4e car=s parasitic load+ t4e electrical load 3it4 t4e i5nition key
turned o00+ tested' (Please see "ection (-') A slippin5 alternator *elt or open diode 3ill si5ni0icantly reduce t4e
alternator=s output capacity' $0 t4e output 6olta5e is a*o6e (&'( 6olts 3it4 t4e a)*ient te)perature a*o6e 0ree>in5+ i0
t4e *attery=s electrolyte le6el is 0requently lo3+ F*oilin5F+ or i0 t4ere is a Frotten e55F odor present around t4e *attery+
t4en t4e *attery is *ein5 o6erc4ar5ed and t4e 6e4icle=s c4ar5in5 syste) s4ould *e tested' ?*ack to $nde7@ &',' /4at $0 $
Cannot #eep 9y Battery C4ar5ed and t4e Battery ests %#L 4e 6e4icle=s electrical load is nor)ally satis0ied 0irst *y
t4e c4ar5in5 syste) and t4en any re)ainin5 po3er is used to rec4ar5e t4e *attery' For e7a)ple+ i0 t4e total electrical
load is (. a)ps and t4e c4ar5in5 syste) is producin5 A& a)ps at ,&-- RP9+ t4en up to (( a)ps 3ill *e a6aila*le 0or
rec4ar5in5 t4e *attery+ 34ic4 3ill take appro7i)ately si7 )inutes' $0 t4e c4ar5in5 syste) is operatin5 at say a
)a7i)u) capacity o0 J- a)ps at &--- RP9+ t4en t4e *attery usually 3ill *e rec4ar5ed 3it4in t3o )inutes' No3 let us
assu)e t4at t4e en5ine is idlin5 and t4e c4ar5in5 syste) is only capa*le o0 producin5 (- a)ps' Four a)ps 0ro) t4e
car *attery are required to )ake up t4e di00erence to satis0y t4e (. a)p electrical load and t4e *attery is *ein5
disc4ar5ed 0urt4er' 4is is 34y )akin5 s4ort trips+ dri6in5 in stop2and25o tra00ic+ or durin5 *ad 3eat4er+ t4e startin5
*attery )ay ne6er 5et rec4ar5ed and )ay e6en *eco)e Fco)pletelyF disc4ar5ed' !sin5 t4e e7a)ple a*o6e+ let=s
assu)e t4at an a0ter2)arket+ 4i542po3er audio syste)+ electric 3inc4 or li54ts is installed t4at adds an additional ,-
a)ps o0 load' /it4 a total electrical load o0 A. a)ps+ at RP9 *elo3 ,&--+ t4e *attery 3ill ne6er *e rec4ar5ed 3it4 an
J- a)p syste)' /4ile t4e en5ine is runnin5 in t4is case+ t4e *attery )ust )ake up t4e de0icit' 4e solution is to
up5rade t4e c4ar5in5 syste) to (,&P or )ore o0 t4e ne3 3orst2case load' $n t4is e7a)ple and *ased on stop2and25o
dri6in5 4a*its+ a 4i54 output c4ar5in5 syste) capa*le o0 (-& a)ps or )ore 3ould *e required to keep
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t4e *attery 0ully c4ar5ed' Ei54 alternator te)peratures can 0urt4er reduce t4e )a7i)u) output o0 a c4ar5in5 syste)+
so coolin5 and si>in5 *ased on t4e continuous load )atters' Eeat kills alternators+ so Bosc4+ 0or e7a)ple+ 4as 3ater
cooled )odels a6aila*le' ?*ack to $nde7@ &'A' Eo3 Can $ est o Deter)ine $0 C4ar5in5 "yste) $s Lar5e Enou54L A
si)ple test to deter)ine i0 t4e c4ar5in5 syste) is lar5e enou54 is to c4eck t4e *attery=s "tate2o0C4ar5e a0ter t4e
sur0ace c4ar5e 4as *een re)o6ed' $0 t4e "tate2o02C4ar5e is consistently a*o6e J&P+ t4en t4e c4ar5in5 syste) is 0ully
rec4ar5in5 t4e car *attery *ased on your dri6in5 4a*its and electrical load' $0 is is consistently *elo3 C-P+ t4en you 3ill
3ant to consider up5radin5 your c4ar5in5 syste) to produce )ore current' 4ere are se6eral possi*ilities to increase
t4e capacity o0 your c4ar5in5 syste) to include c4an5in5 t4e pulley dia)eters+ replacin5 t4e 6olta5e re5ulator+
up5radin5 t4e alternator+ addin5 a second c4ar5in5 syste) (0or a dual *attery set up)+ etc' An auto electric or alternator
re*uildin5 s4op can assist you' $0 t4e "oC is inconsistent+ t4e you )i54t consider usin5 a te)perature co)pensated+
Fs)artF c4ar5er 3it4 a quick disconnector to Ftop o00F your *attery' $0 consistently under or o6erc4ar5ed+ a lead2acid
*attery 3ill lose capacity and pre)aturely 0ail' ?*ack to $nde7@ RRRPre6ious ?Eo)e@ ?op@ Ne7tOOO
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Car and Deep Cycle Battery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) "ection :
:' E%/ D% $ M!9P "AR 9Y 8EE$CLEL
Last !pdated on No6e)*er C+ ,--. Please 3ear 5lasses in t4e unlikely e6ent o0 a car or deep cycle *attery e7plosion
and sa6e your eyes' $0 done incorrectly+ ;u)pin5 a dead *attery can *e dan5erous and 0inancially risky' 4ese
procedures are %NLY 0or 6e4icles are *ot4 ne5ati6ely 5rounded and t4at t4e electrical syste) 6olta5es are t4e "A9E'
4ese procedures 3ould also apply to usin5 e)er5ency ;u)p starters' 4e rule 0or ;u)p startin5 a dead *attery is
AL/AY" P%"$$8E to P%"$$8E and NEHA$8E (2) to t4e ENH$NE BL%C# or FRA9E a3ay 0ro) t4e dead startin5
*attery' Re6erse t4is rule to disconnect' 4e A)erican Auto)o*ile Association esti)ates t4at o0 t4e ,B& )illion
6e4icles t4at 3ill tra6elin5 in t4e !'"' durin5 t4e "u))er o0 ,--A+ B'. )illion (or ,'BP) 3ill *reak do3n' %0 t4at
nu)*er+ ('A )illion (or (B'BP) 3ill require a *attery ;u)p to start t4eir en5ine' 4e Her)an auto)o*ile association
(ADAC) esti)ates t4at t4eir *attery related ser6ice calls 4as increased 0ro) ,('BP per year in (JJJ to ,J'JP in ,--.'
$n cold 3eat4er+ a 5ood quality ;u)per ca*les (or *ooster ca*les) 3it4 ei54t25au5e 3ire is necessary to pro6ide enou54
current to t4e disa*led 6e4icle to start t4e en5ine' Lar5er dia)eter 3ire is *etter *ecause t4ere is less 6olta5e loss'
Please c4eck t4e o3ner=s )anual 0or B%E 6e4icles or ;u)p starter BEF%RE atte)ptin5 to ;u)p2start' Follo3 t4e
)anu0acturers= procedures+ 0or e7a)ple+ so)e 6e4icles s4ould not *e runnin5 durin5 a ;u)p2start o0 a disa*led one'
Eo3e6er+ startin5 t4e disa*led 6e4icle 3it4 t4e 5ood 6e4icle runnin5 can pre6ent 4a6in5 *ot4 6e4icles disa*led' A6oid
t4e *ooster ca*le cla)ps touc4in5 eac4 ot4er or t4e P%"$$8E cla)p touc4in5 anyt4in5 *ut t4e P%"$$8E (Q) post o0
t4e *attery+ *ecause )o)entarily touc4in5 t4e *lock or 0ra)e can s4ort t4e *attery and cause e7tensi6e and costly
da)a5e' :'(' $0 *elo3 0ree>in5+ insure t4at t4e electrolyte is N% 0ro>en in t4e dead *attery' $0 0ro>en+ do N% ;u)p or
*oost t4e *attery i0 t4e case is cracked or until t4e *attery 4as *een 0ull t4a3ed out+ rec4ar5ed+ tested' /4en t4e
electrolyte 0ree>es+ it e7pands 34ic4 can da)a5e t4e plates or plate separators+ 34ic4 can cause t4e plates to 3arp
and s4ort out' /it4 any co)pletely dead *attery+ cell re6ersal can occur' 4e electrolyte in a dead *attery 3ill 0ree>e at
appro7i)ately ,-DF (2:'BDC)' $0 t4e *attery 4as *een sittin5 0or se6eral 3eeks and 0ro>en+ t4en t4e *attery 4as pro*a*ly
sul0ated as 3ell' Please "ections (: and (A 0or )ore in0or)ation' $0 t4e *attery 4as *een sittin5 0or 4ours or a 0e3 days
t4en t4e pro*le) is eit4er an e7cessi6e parasitic load like lea6in5 t4e 4eadli54ts on or a 0aulty c4ar5in5 syste)' Please
see "ections (- or J+ respecti6ely' :',' /it4out t4e 6e4icles touc4in5+ turn o00 all accessories+ 4eaters and li54ts on
*ot4 6e4icles+ especially an electronic appliances+ suc4 as a radio or audio syste) and insure t4ere is plenty o0 *attery
6entilation' :'A' "tart t4e 6e4icle 3it4 t4e 5ood *attery and let it run 0or at least t3o or t4ree )inutes at )ediu) RP9 to
rec4ar5e it' C4eck t4e P%"$$8E (Q) and NEHA$8E (2) ter)inal )arkin5s on *ot4 *atteries *e0ore proceedin5'
M!9P "AR$NH
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?"ource1 BC$@ :'.' Connect t4e P%"$$8E *ooster ca*le (or ;u)p starter) cla)p (usually RED) to t4e P%"$$8E (Q)
ter)inal post on t4e dead *attery ?"tep ( in t4e dia5ra) a*o6e@' Connect t4e P%"$$8E cla)p on t4e ot4er end o0 t4e
*ooster ca*le to t4e P%"$$8E (Q) ter)inal post on t4e 5ood startin5 *attery ?"tep ,@' $0 t4e P%"$$8E (Q) *attery
ter)inal post is not accessi*le+ t4e P%"$$8E connection on t4e starter )otor solenoid 0ro) t4e P%"$$8E (Q) ter)inal
post o0 t4e *attery could *e used' :'&' Connect t4e NEHA$8E *ooster ca*le cla)p (usually BLAC#) to t4e
NEHA$8E (2) ter)inal on t4e 5ood *attery ?"tep A@' Connect t4e NEHA$8E *ooster ca*le (or ;u)p starter) cla)p on
t4e ot4er end o0 t4e ;u)per ca*le to a clean+ unpainted area on t4e en5ine *lock or 0ra)e on t4e disa*led 6e4icle ?"tep
.@ and a3ay 0ro) t4e *attery' 4is arran5e)ent is used *ecause so)e sparkin5 3ill occur and you 3ant to keep
sparks as 0ar a3ay 0ro) t4e *attery as practical in order to pre6ent a *attery e7plosion' :':' $0 usin5 ;u)per ca*les+ let
t4e 5ood 6e4icle continue to run at )ediu) RP9 0or 0i6e )inutes or )ore to allo3 t4e dead *attery to recei6e so)e
rec4ar5e and to 3ar) its electrolyte' $0 t4ere is a *ad ca*le connection+ do not 3i55le t4e ca*le cla)ps connected to
t4e *attery ter)inals *ecause sparks 3ill occur and a *attery e7plosion )i54t occur' o c4eck connections+ 0irst
disconnect t4e NEHA$8E cla)p 0ro) t4e en5ine *lock or 0ra)e+ c4eck t4e ot4er connections+ and t4en reconnect t4e
en5ine *lock or 0ra)e connection last' :'B' $0 usin5 ;u)per ca*les+ so)e 6e4icle )anu0acturers reco))end t4at you
turn o00 t4e en5ine o0 t4e 5ood 6e4icle to protect its c4ar5in5 syste) prior to startin5 t4e disa*led 6e4icle' C4eck t4e
o3ner=s )anualK ot4er3ise+ lea6e t4e en5ine runnin5 so you can a6oid *ein5 stranded s4ould you not *e a*le to restart
t4e 5ood 6e4icle'
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:'C' $0 usin5 ;u)per ca*les+ start t4e disa*led 6e4icle and allo3 it to run at 4i54 idle' $0 t4e 6e4icle does not start t4e 0irst
ti)e+ rec4eck t4e connections+ 3ait a 0e3 )inutes+ and try a5ain' :'J' Disconnect t4e ;u)per or ;u)p starter ca*les in
t4e RE8ER"E order+ startin5 3it4 t4e NEHA$8E cla)p on t4e en5ine *lock or 0ra)e o0 t4e disa*led 6e4icle to
)ini)i>e t4e possi*ility o0 an e7plosion' :'(-' As soon as possi*le+ 0ully rec4ar5e t4e dead or startin5 *attery 3it4 an
e7ternal *attery c4ar5er+ re)o6e t4e sur0ace c4ar5e and load test t4e *attery and c4ar5in5 syste) 0or latent or
per)anent da)a5e as a result o0 t4e deep disc4ar5e' 4is is especially i)portant i0 you 4ad a 0ro>en *attery or a
sealed 9aintenance Free (CaGCa) *attery' A 6e4icle=s c4ar5in5 syste) 3as not desi5ned to rec4ar5e a dead *attery
and could o6er4eat and *e da)a5ed (*ad diodes or *urned stator) doin5 so' $n t4e e6ent t4at t4e ;u)per or ;u)p
starter ca*les 3ere RE8ER"ED and t4ere is no po3er to all or part o0 t4e 6e4icle+ test t4e 0usi*le links+ 0uses+ circuit
*reakers+ *attery+ c4ar5in5 syste) and e)issions co)puter and+ i0 *ad+ reset or replace' 4eir locations and 6alues
s4ould *e s4o3n in t4e 6e4icle=s %3ner=s 9anual' $0 replacin5 t4e 0aulty parts do not repair t4e electrical syste)+
4a6in5 it repaired *y a 5ood auto electric repair s4op is 4i54ly reco))ended' RRRPre6ious ?Eo)e@ ?op@ Ne7tOOO
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Car Deep Battery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) "ection B
B' /EA D% $ L%%# F%R $N B!Y$NH A NE/ BAERYL
Last !pdated on No6e)*er C+ ,--. $NDES1 B'(' Battery ypes B'('(' /et "tandard ("*G"*) B'(',' /et Lo3
9aintenance ("*GCa) B'('A' /et 9aintenance Free (CaGCa) B'('.' 8RLA AH9 (A*sor*ed Hlass 9at) B'('&' 8RLA
"piral /ound AH9 (A*sor*ed Hlass 9at) B'(':' /et 9arine "tartin5 B'('B' 8RLA Hel Cell B'('C' /4at Are t4e
Di00erences Bet3een Car+ 9arine "tartin5 and Deep Cycle BatteriesL B'('J' /4at Are Dual or 9ulti2*attery "yste)sL
B',' CCA (Cold Crankin5 A)ps) CCA 6s' e)perature Dia5ra) B'A' Reser6e Capacity (RC) or A)p Eour (AE)
Capacity B'A'(' $s Capacity E00ected By e)peratureL AE Capacity 6s' e)perature Hrap4 B'A',' Eo3 Do $ $ncrease
Battery CapacityL Battery /irin5 Dia5ra)s B'A'A' /4ic4 is Better+ 3o :26olt Batteries in "eries or 3o (,26olt
Batteries in ParallelL B'A'.' Eo3 Do $ $ncrease t4e 8olta5eL B'A'&' Eo3 Can $ Reduce t4e 8olta5e in Eal0L B'A':'
/4ic4 /ei54s 9ore22%ne (,26olt or 3o :26olt BatteriesL B'A'B' Can $ 9i7 Non2$dentical BatteriesL
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B'.' "i>e B'&' er)inals B':' Fres4ness B'B' /arranty B'C' Buyin5 ips B'J' Eo3 Do $ "i>e For Backup AC Po3erL Car
*attery *uyin5 strate5y 0or use in Her)any+ 0or e7a)ple+ is di00erent t4an in t4e 3ar)er cli)ates 0ound in e7as' $n
e7tre)ely cold cli)ates+ 4i54er CCA (Cold Crankin5 A)p) ratin5s are )ore i)portant' $n a 4ot cli)ate+ 4i54er RC
(Reser6e Capacity) or AE (A)pere Eour) ratin5s are )ore i)portant t4an CCAK 4o3e6er+ t4ese ratin5s s4ould )eet or
e7ceed your 6e4icle=s %E9 (%ri5inal Equip)ent 9anu0acturer) require)ents' Do N% *uy a ne3 *attery until you
need it *ecause it 3ill sul0ate sittin5 in stora5e and you 3ill lose capacity' Belo3 is an e7a)ple o0 car *attery li0e
e7pectancy in t4e !nited "tates 0ro) $nterstate Batteries1
?"ource1 $nterstate Batteries@ B'(' Battery ypes 4e t3o )ost co))on cate5ories o0 car and deep cycle *atteries are
3et (also kno3n as F0loodedF+ Fliquid electrolyteF+ F6entedF+ or F8LAF cell) and 8al6e Re5ulated Lead2Acid (8RLA)'
/it4in t4e 3et cate5ory+ t4e t4ree )ost co))on *attery types are "tandard ("*G"*)+ Lo3 9aintenance ("*GCa) and
9aintenance Free (CaGCa)+ 34ic4 are de0ined in )ore detail *elo3' $n t4e 8RLA cate5ory+ t4ere are AH9 (A*sor*ed
Hlass 9at)+ spiral 3ound AH9+ and Hel Cell leadacid *atteries' 4e one additional cate5ory 0or s)aller (typically
*elo3 &- AE) deep cycle *atteries is "LA ("ealed Lead Acid) usin5 AH9 or Hel Cell construction' 4ey are sealed
3it4 a sa0ety pressure relie0 6al6e or plu5 in case o0 e7cessi6e 5as pressure *uild up due to o6erc4ar5in5'
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/4en selectin5 a *attery type+ it is e7tre)ely i)portant t4at you select one t4at 3ill 9ACE t4e 6olta5e output o0 your
c4ar5in5 syste)' 4e easiest 3ay to acco)plis4 t4is is to replace your *attery 3it4 t4e sa)e or co)pati*le type o0
*attery t4at ori5inally 3as installed' $0 you c4an5e your replace)ent *attery to anot4er *attery type+ you )i54t 4a6e to
ad;ust t4e c4ar5in5 6olta5e to pre6ent underc4ar5in5 or o6erc4ar5in5 t4at could da)a5e or reduce t4e ser6ice li0e o0
your ne3 *attery' For e7a)ple+ replacin5 an %ri5inal Equip)ent 9anu0acturer (%E9) 3et sealed 9aintenance Free
(CaGCa) 3it4 a 3et non2sealed Lo3 9aintenance ("*GCa) *attery (3it4 0iller caps) )i54t cause t4e Lo329aintenance
("*GCa) *attery to *e sli54tly o6erc4ar5ed and consu)e )ore 3ater' $0 you c4ar5e a 9aintenance Free (CaGCa)
*attery 3it4 a c4ar5in5 syste) or c4ar5er desi5ned 0or a Lo3 9aintenance ("*GCa) *attery (3it4 0iller caps)+ you could
underc4ar5e t4e 9aintenance Free (CaGCa) *attery' Replacin5 any ot4er non2Hel Cell type o0 *attery 3it4 a Hel Cell
could o6erc4ar5e it' /4en in dou*t+ replace 3it4 an AH9 or spiral 3ound AH9 *attery' 8entilation is required 0or all
lead2acid *atteries and 5ood 6entilation is )andatory 0or 3et *atteries to dissipate t4e e7plosi6e 5asses produced
durin5 c4ar5in5' Deep cycle *atteries are *roadly di6ided into )oti6e and stationary applications' 9oti6e applications
are 34ere t4e *attery is disc4ar5ed in operations t4at 3ill consu)e *et3een ,-P and C-P o0 t4e *attery=s capacity
and t4en rec4ar5ed (34ic4 is considered to *e one cycle)' "o)e e7a)ples o0 )oti6e (also kno3n as Fcyclin5F or
FtractionF) applications are 0or *atteries used in recreational 6e4icles (R8)+ )otor 4o)es+ cara6ans+ trailers+ *oats+
34eelc4airs+ 5ol0 carts+ solar+ 0loor s3eepers+ 0olk li0t trucks and ot4er electric 6e4icles (E8) and typically 4a6e ,--2&--
cycles per year' "tationary (also kno3n as F0loatF+ Freser6eF+ F*ackupF or Fstand*yF) applications are 34ere stationary
*atteries is used to pro6ide *ackup or stand*y po3er durin5 loss o0 t4e pri)ary source o0 po3er suc4 as
uninterrupti*le po3er syste)s (!P")+ e)er5ency li54tin5 syste)s+ security syste)s+ teleco))unications syste)s+
etc'+ and typically 4a6e ,2(, cycles per year' Henerally+ stationary *atteries 4a6e lon5er ser6ice li6es+ )ore li0e cycles
and cost )ore t4an )oti6e *atteries' 4e c4ar5ers 0or )oti6e and stationary *atteries are di00erent as 3ell' Non2sealed
3et "tandard ("*G"*)+ 3et Lo329aintenance ("*GCa)+ 8RLA AH9 or 8RLA Hel Cell *atteries 3it4 pasted+ tu*ular or
9anc4ester (F9anc4e7F) positi6e plates or 8RLA "piral /ound AH9 *atteries are reco))ended 0or )oti6e deep
cycle applications' Non2sealed 3et "tandard ("*G"*)+ 3et Lo329aintenance ("*GCa)+ 3et 9aintenance Free (CaGCa)
*atteries 3it4 pasted or solid (PlantU) positi6e plates are reco))ended 0or stationary applications' For )ore
in0or)ation a*out lar5er deep cycle *atteries (5reater t4an ,&- AE)+ please see /ind X "un=s !lti)ate Deep Cycle
Battery FAQ and Nen and t4e Art o0 C4oosin5 a Deep Cycle Battery' /et deep cycle *atteries+ suc4 as 9arineGR8+
leisure and so)e 5ol0 cart+ t4at use pasted positi6e plates are less e7pensi6e to )anu0acturer and 4a6e 0e3 li0e cycles
and s4orter ser6ice li6es at &-P a6era5e Dept42o02Disc4ar5e (DoD) le6el t4an t4e deep cycle *atteries 3it4 solid
(PlantU)+ tu*ular or 9anc4ester (or F9anc4e7F) positi6e plates' 4ey also 4a6e si5ni0icantly 0e3er li0e cycles at t4e C-P
a6era5e DoD le6el' Be a3are t4at so)e startin5 *attery )anu0acturers 4a6e added 4andles and stud type ter)inals to
t4eir c4eaper startin5 *atteries and sell t4e) as 9arineGR8 deep cycle' 4e )a;or disad6anta5e o0 8RLA (AH9 or Hel
Cell) deep cycle *atteries are t4eir 4i54 initial cost (up to t4ree ti)es o6er t4e cost o0 a 3et "tandard ("*G"*)
*atteries)+ *ut ar5ua*ly can 4a6e an o6erall lo3er total cost o0 o3ners4ip due to a lon5er ser6ice li0e+ no F3aterin5F and
ot4er la*or costs+ and 0aster rec4ar5in5' 4e total cost o0 o3ners4ip s4ould *e considered 34en *uyin5 deep cycle
*atteries' 4ere is a cost co)parison 0or so)e popular 3et solar deep cycle *atteries on EE "%LAR BiN /e* site at
4ttp1GG333't4esolar'*i>GCostYa*leY*atteries'4t)' ?*ack to $nde7@
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B'('(' /et "tandard ("*G"*) "tandard or FCon6entionalF ("*G"*) non2sealed lead2acid *atteries (3it4 0iller caps) 4a6e
Lead2Anti)ony ("*)GAnti)ony ("*) plates and 4a6e *een co))ercially a6aila*le 0or al)ost (-- years' 4ey 4a6e a1
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olerance 0or a 3ide ran5e o0 c4ar5in5 current (to ,&P o0 t4e *attery=s capacity) and 6olta5e Lon5 ser6ice li6e (i0
properly )aintained) $ncreased 3ater consu)ption and production o0 5as requirin5 )ore 6entilation Lo3 tolerance 0or
4eat (t4ey 3ill lose 4al0 o0 t4eir ser6ice li0e 0or e6ery $ncrease o0 (&D F (C'AD C) o6er C-D F (,:'BD C) Ei54 sel0 disc4ar5e
rate (dependin5 on t4e te)perature up to &-P2:-P per )ont4) C4ar5in5 losses o0 (&P2,-P and )a7i)u)
continuous disc4ar5e rate ,&P o0 t4eir capacity
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For t4ese reasons+ t4ey 4a6e al)ost *een co)pletely replaced *y 3et Lo3 9aintenance (CaG "*) *atteries 0or 4i54
te)perature under4ood startin5 applications+ *ut are still used 0or )any deep cycle )oti6e applications' /et "tandard
("*G"*) *atteries are 5enerally t4e least e7pensi6e lead2acid *atteries' ?*ack to $nde7@ B'(',' /et Lo3 9aintenance
("*GCa) 4e 3et (or F0loodedF cell) Lo3 9aintenance *atteries (3it4 0iller caps) 4a6e a Lead2Anti)ony ("*)GCalciu)
(Ca) dual alloy or 4y*rid plate 0or)ulations' 4ey 4a6e )ost o0 t4e sa)e c4aracteristics as a 3et "tandard ("*G"*)
*atteries+ e7cept t4ey can 4andle t4e 4i54 under4ood 4eat *etter' "o)e *attery )anu0acturers+ suc4 as Mo4nson
Controls+ *uild FNort4F and F"out4F car *attery 6ersions to )ake up 0or t4e di00erences in cold and 4ot cli)ates' "o)e
also construct special car *atteries t4at 4a6e a 4i54er tolerance to 4eat *y c4an5in5 plate or connectin5 strap
0or)ulations or pro6idin5 0or )ore electrolyte' For o00 road applications in trucks+ recreational 6e4icles (R8s)+ )otor
cara6ans+ .7.s+ 6ans or "!8s ("port !tility 8e4icles)+ so)e *attery )anu0acturers *uild F4i54 6i*rationF+ F4ea6y dutyF+
Fco))ercialF+ or FR8F *attery 6ersions desi5ned to reduce t4e e00ects o0 )oderate 6i*ration' A 3et Lo3 9aintenance
("*GCa) *attery 3ill typically cost a little )ore t4an a si)ilar si>ed 3et "tandard ("*G"*) *attery' ?*ack to $nde7@ B'('A'
/et 9aintenance Free (CaGCa) /et 9aintenance Free *atteries 4a6e a Lead2Calciu) (Ca)GCalciu) (Ca) plate
c4e)istry or 0or)ulation+ 0or e7a)ple+ Delp4i=s ACDelco' 4e ad6anta5es o0 9aintenance Free (CaGCa) *atteries o6er
Lo3 9aintenance ("*GCa) are1
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Less pre6enti6e )aintenance due to less 3ater loss Hreater o6erc4ar5e resistance Reduced ter)inal corrosion and
6entilation !p to .--P less sel0 disc4ar5e Less risk to consu)ers *ecause t4ere is less to ser6ice
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Eo3e6er+ t4ey are )ore prone to deep disc4ar5e (FdeadF or F0latF *attery) 0ailures due to increased s4eddin5 o0 acti6e
plate )aterial and de6elop)ent o0 a *arrier layer *et3een t4e acti6e plate )aterial and t4e 5rid )etal' $0 a
9aintenance Free (CaGCa) *attery is sealed+ 3ater can not *e added 34en required' For t4at reason+ in 4ot cli)ates+
usin5 non2sealed 3et *atteries (3it4 0iller caps)+ so you add distilled 3ater+ 0or under t4e 4ood or a sealed AH9 *attery
inside t4e passen5er co)part)ent or trunk is 4i54ly encoura5ed 0or lon5er *attery ser6ice li0e' /et 9aintenance Free
(CaGCa) *atteries are 5enerally )ore e7pensi6e t4an 3et Lo3 9aintenance ("*GCa) *atteries' ?*ack to $nde7@ B'('.'
8RLA AH9 (A*sor*ed Hlass 9at) "ealed A*sor*ed Hlass 9at (AH9) *atteries (also kno3 as Fstar6ed electrolyteF or
FdryF) 4a6e a 6ery 0ine 0i*er Boron2"ilicate 5lass )at *et3een t4eir plates' 4ey 4a6e all o0 t4e ad6anta5es o0 t4e
9aintenance Free (CaGCa) *atteries plus1
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"a0er (due t4e )uc4 lo3er production o0 4ydro5en 5as durin5 c4ar5in5) Do not require 3ater Lo3er sel02disc4ar5e rate
(typically (P2,P per )ont4) Lon5er ser6ice li0e Ei54er resistance to 6i*ration Lo3er deep disc4ar5e 0ailure Ei54er
*ulk c4ar5e acceptance rate (34ic4 )eans up to a (&P s4orter rec4ar5e ti)e and reduce cost) /it4stand 4eat *etter
Do not require special 4a>ardous s4ippin5 and can *e used near salt 3ater "pill proo0 and can *e )ounted in 6irtually
any position (*ecause t4ey are sealed) C4ar5in5 losses o0 .P and )a7i)u) continuous disc4ar5e rate AAP o0 t4eir
capacity Can *e used inside a se)i2enclosed area+ like t4e passen5er co)part)ent or trunk
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Relocatin5 t4e 6e4icle=s startin5 *attery to t4e passen5er co)part)ent is *eco)in5 )ore popular *ecause 6e4icle
)anu0acturers 3ant to e7tend t4eir F*u)per2to2*u)perF 3arranty periods+ to a6oid under4ood te)perature e7tre)es+
to pro6ide )ore 3ei54t in t4e rear+ or to sa6e under4ood space' 4ey use HR (Reco)*inant Has ec4nolo5y)+ 34ic4
si)ply )eans t4at J-P or )ore o0 t4e 5asses are reco)*ined *ack into 3ater durin5 rec4ar5in5 and contained 3it4in
eac4 cell' AH9 *atteries are )ore e7pensi6e t4an 9aintenance Free (CaG Ca) *atteries' "o)e AH9 *atteries+ 0or
e7a)ple Concorde+ can *e equali>ed' 4ey 3ill accept all t4e po3er t4at a c4ar5in5 syste) 3ill produce' 4is )eans i0
you are usin5 an alternator si>ed at ,&P (or less) o0 t4e capacity o0 t4e *attery *ank+ it possi*le to o6er4eat an air
cooled alternator and *urn it up durin5 a lon5 *ulk c4ar5in5 p4ase' For lar5e capacity *attery *anks+ usin5 a 4i54
output alternator+ 6olta5e re5ulator 3it4 an alternator te)perature sensor or 3ater cooled alternator is 4i54ly
reco))ended' An t4er)ally protected alternator t4at is AAP o0 t4e capacity o0 t4e *attery *ank is reco))ended' You
can e7pect AH9 car *atteries to t4e TC- to T(,- ran5e as )ore co)petition occurs' E7a)ples o0 sealed AH9
*atteries are Concorde=s Li0eline+ Delp4i=s Freedo) E7tra+ Ea3ker=s %dyssey+ Ne3 Castle+ and ACDelco=s Platinu)'
An AH9 *attery can nor)ally replace a 3et Lo3 9aintenance ("*GCa) or 9aintenance Free (CaGCa) *attery+ *ut a 3et
Lo3 9aintenance ("*GCa) *attery nor)ally cannot replace an AH9 *attery 3it4out ad;ustin5 t4e c4ar5in5 6olta5es'
E7pect to see A:26olt AH9 car *atteries 3it4 (.G.,26olt dual or .,26olt electrical syste)s o00ered *y so)e o0 t4e
pre)iu) car )anu0acturers startin5 in t4e ,--A )odel year' $n t4e near ter)+ you s4ould e7pect to see )ore sealed
AH9 *atteries replacin5 3et lead2acid *atteries' Lon5er ter)+ Lit4iu) $on (Li$on) *atteries 3ill used in 4y*rid
auto)oti6e applications+ 34ic4 )i54t e6entually *e replaced *y 0uel cells in t4e ne7t (-2,- years' ?*ack to $nde7@ B'('&'
8RLA "piral /ound AH9 (A*sor*ed Hlass 9at) For e7cessi6e 6i*ration applications+ in o002road operation+ or e7tre)e
conditions+ it is *est to use a spiral 3ound 8RLA (8al6e Re5ulated Lead2Acid) AH9 *attery *ecause t4ere is no
s4eddin5 o0 acti6e plate )aterial since t4e plates are i))o*ili>ed' $n addition+ t4ey use HR (Reco)*inant Has
ec4nolo5y) and 4a6e all o0 t4e c4aracteristics o0 t4e 8RLA AH9 *atteries plus1
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")aller Rec4ar5es 0aster reducin5 c4ar5in5 cost /ider ran5e o0 c4ar5in5 6olta5es C4ar5in5 losses o0 .P and
)a7i)u) continuous disc4ar5e rate AAP o0 t4eir capacity
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E7a)ples o0 spiral 3ound 8RLA AH9 *atteries are Mo4nson Controls= %pti)a+ E7ide=s "elect %r*ital or 9a77i)a+ or
Ea3ker=s Cyclon' ypically spiral 3ound AH9 car *atteries cost *et3een TJ- and T(&- and deep cycle 6ersions cost
)ore' "P$RAL /%!ND AH9 BAERY
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?"ource1 %pti)a@ ?*ack to $nde7@ B'(':' /et 9arine "tartin5 A 3et FDualF or 9arine "tartin5 *attery is a co)pro)ise
*et3een a car and deep cycle *attery t4at is specially desi5ned 0or 4i54 6i*ration in )arine applications' A 9arine
"tartin5 *attery can 4a6e 3et "tandard ("*G"*)+ 3et Lo3 9aintenance ("*GCa)+ 3et 9aintenance Free (CaGCa) or
8RLA AH9 plate 0or)ulations' But+ please *e3are o0 9arine "tartin5 and deep cycle *atteries t4at are c4eap' 4ey
are o0ten car *atteries 3it4 4andles and stud or co)*ination ter)inals' A deep cycle or FDual 9arine "tartin5F *attery
3ill 3ork as a startin5 *attery i0 it can produce enou54 current to start t4e en5ine' Hood 6entilation is required 0or all
3et (or F0loodedF) deep cycle *atteries to dissipate t4e 5asses produced durin5 c4ar5in5' For salt3ater applications+
sealed AH9 (or Hel Cell) s4ould *e only used to pre6ent t4e 0or)ation o0 DEADLY c4lorine 5as 34en *attery
electrolyte is )i7ed 3it4 salt 3ater' ?*ack to $nde7@ B'('B' 8RLA Hel Cell "ealed 8RLA (8al6e Re5ulated Lead2Acid)
Hel Cell *atteries use HR (Reco)*inant Has ec4nolo5y) and use a t4ickenin5 a5ent like 0u)ed silica 5el to
i))o*ile t4e electrolyte instead o0 a liquid electrolyte like t4e 3et *atteries' 4ey 4a6e a lot o0 t4e sa)e ad6anta5es o0
AH9 *atteries' /4en co)parin5 Hel Cell to AH9 and "piral /ound AH9 *atteries+ Hel Cells 3ill typically1
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Hreater a*ility to 3it4stand a deep disc4ar5e+ *ut not te)peratures o6er o6er (--DF (AB'CD C) *ecause o0 t4e
possi*ility o0 Ft4er)al runa3ayF (- to (& cycle preconditionin5 or F*reak2inF period Less Cold Crankin5 A)ps
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C-P o0 t4e capacity o0 a si)ilar si>ed AH9 *attery and p4ysically lar5er "lo3er rec4ar5in5 ti)es and intolerant o0
4i54er c4ar5in5 6olta5es Lo3er capacity in cold te)peratures !p to ,-P )ore li0e cycles Costs )ore to )anu0acture
C4ar5in5 losses o0 .P and )a7i)u) continuous disc4ar5e rate ,&P o0 t4eir capacity
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4e ideal a)*ient te)perature 0or a Hel Cell *attery is B,D F (,,',D C)' E7a)ples o0 Hel Cell *atteries are
"onnensc4ein+ East Penn+ 9#+ E7ide+ etc' For so)e considerations o0 replacin5 0looded *atteries 3it4 Hel Cell or
AH9 *atteries+ please read Da6id Eidell=s $9P%RAN N%E AB%! EE "!$AB$L$Y %F AB"%RP$8E HLA""
9A (AH9) AND HELLED ELECR%LYE BAER$E" $N R8=" or Collyn Ri6ers= AB"%RBED HLA"" 9A
BAER$E"' For a )ore detailed co)parison+ read an article 3ritten *y Constian 6on /ent>el+ Co)parin5 9arine
Battery ec4nolo5ies' For )ore tec4nical in0or)ation on 8RLA *atteries+ please 6isit %erlikon Battrie=s Lead Acid
Batteries 8RLA ypes' ?*ack to $nde7@ B'('C' /4at Are t4e Di00erences Bet3een Car+ 9arine "tartin5 and Deep Cycle
BatteriesL Car *atteries are specially desi5ned 3it4 t4inner ('-. inc4 or ('-, ))) and )ore porous plates 0or a 5reater
sur0ace area to produce t4e 4i54 a)ps required to start an en5ine' 4ey are en5ineered 0or up to &+--- s4allo3 (to
AP) disc4ar5es+ 34ic4 3orks out to o6er 0our en5ine starts per day' Car *atteries s4ould N% *e disc4ar5ed *elo3
J-P "tate2o02C4ar5e' 4ey use spon5e lead and e7panded )etal 5rids rat4er t4an solid lead' 9arine "tartin5
*atteries are a co)prise *et3een a car and deep cycle *attery and are desi5ned 0or startin5 and prolon5ed disc4ar5es
at lo3er a)pera5e t4at typically consu)es *et3een ,-P and &-P o0 t4e *attery=s capacity' 9oti6e and "tationary
deep cycle *atteries 4a6e )uc4 t4icker (up to ',& inc4 or :'A& ))) plates+ )ore lead+ and 3ei54t )ore t4an car
*atteries t4e sa)e si>e' 4ey are nor)ally disc4ar5ed *et3een ,-P and C-P at lo3er a)pera5e' Deep cycle
*atteries 3ill typically outlast t3o to ten car *atteries in a deep cycle application' ?*ack to $nde7@ B'('J' /4at Are Dual
or 9ulti2*attery "yste)sL For R8s+ )otor 4o)es+ cara6ans+ *oats+ and ot4er lar5e 6e4icles+ *ot4 car and deep cycle
*atteries are o0ten used' A car *attery is nor)ally used to start t4e en5ine and 9oti6e deep cycle (or leisure) *atteries
t4at are t4e sa)e type as t4e car *attery are used to po3er t4e electrical accessories' 4e *atteries are connected to
a diode isolator (or co)*iner)+ dual output alternator+ or AGB s3itc4 to keep t4e startin5 *attery 0ro) *eco)in5
disc4ar5ed 34en usin5 t4e deep cycle *atteries' /4en t4e c4ar5in5 syste) is runnin5+ t4e *atteries are auto)atically
rec4ar5ed (e7cept 3it4 t4e )anual AGB s3itc4) 3it4 )ost o0 t4e current 0lo3in5
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to t4e *attery 3it4 t4e lo3est "tate2o02C4ar5e' Ralp4 "c4eidler at "ure Po3er 4as 3ritten an e7cellent+ easy to
understand+ 0ree e2*ooklet+ $ntroduction to Batteries and C4ar5in5 "yste)s+ a*out )ulti2*attery applications' $t is
a6aila*le online at 4ttp1GG333'surepo3er'co)G pd0Ge*rYint'pd0' A co))on deep cycle application in recreational
6e4icles is usin5 a DC to AC in6erter+ 34ic4 is used to con6ert (, 8DC to (,- (or ,.-) 8AC po3er' $t takes *et3een
(, and (. a)ps o0 (,26olt DC po3er to )ake one a)p (or (,- 3atts) o0 (,- 8AC po3er (or one24al0 a)p or (,- 3atts
o0 ,.- 8AC po3er)+ so deep cycle *atteries or 6e4icle c4ar5in5 syste)s s4ould *e used to po3er in6erters and N%
startin5 *atteries' "o)e )ulti2*attery syste)s can 5et e7tre)ely co)ple7 as e6idenced *y t4e 3irin5 dia5ra) near t4e
end o0 or Pinney=s article+ EE $NEHRAED ENERHY "Y"E9+ 4e %pti)u) Electrical Po3er "yste) 0or t4e
Cruisin5 "ail*oat 0ound at 4ttp1GG333'anc4oryac4ts'co)GarticlesGener5y'4t)' "o)e o0 t4e 0ollo3in5 risks are
undertaken 34en a disc4ar5ed deep cycle *attery (or *ank) is connected in parallel to t4e startin5 *attery 3it4out
usin5 a diode isolator1
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$0 a disc4ar5ed deep cycle *attery (or *ank) is connected to a c4ar5ed startin5 *attery in parallel+ a lar5e current could
0lo3 0ro) t4e startin5 *attery to t4e deep cycle *attery in an atte)pt to equali>e t4e 6olta5e' %6er ti)e+ deeply
disc4ar5in5 t4e startin5 *attery could pre)aturely kill it' 4is can disc4ar5e t4e startin5 *attery to t4e point t4at t4e
en5ine can not *e started' $0 t4e 3irin5 or contacts o0 t4e isolation relay or s3itc4 are not 4ea6y enou54 to carry t4e
current+ da)a5e could occur' $0 .P or )ore concentration o0 4ydro5en is present+ an e7plosion could occur due to t4e
arc created *y t4e relay or s3itc4 closure' $0 t4e c4ar5in5 syste) 4as insu00icient capacity+ a lar5e deep cycle *attery
(or *ank)+ especially a AH9 8RLA+ could accept all t4e output o0 t4e c4ar5in5 syste) and o6er4eat t4e alternator
causin5 it to 0ail or not 0ully rec4ar5e t4e startin5 *attery' $0 t4e connection is not s3itc4ed+ eit4er t4e deep cycle *attery
(or *ank) is not c4ar5ed or t4e startin5 *attery 3ill *e disc4ar5ed'
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Re5ardless o0 34at isolation )et4od is used+ t4e correct *attery )anu0acturer=s te)perature co)pensated c4ar5in5
6olta5es need to *e applied directly across t4e respecti6e *attery ter)inals to opti)i>e t4e *attery=s capacity and
o6erall ser6ice li0e' $0 t4e 6olta5es are not correct+ t4en *attery under or o6erc4ar5in5 can occur+ so it is i)portant to try
and use t4e sa)e *attery types (plate c4e)istries)' ?*ack to $nde7@ B',' CCA (Cold Crankin5 A)ps) $0 t4e *attery is to
used in a startin5 application+ Cold Crankin5 A)ps (CCA) is t4e second )ost i)portant considerationK ot4er3ise+ 0or
non2startin5 deep cycle applications+ please skip t4is section and 5o to "ection B'A' Reser6e Capacity (RC) or A)p
Eour (AE) Capacity' 4e *attery=s CCA ratin5 s4ould )eet or e7ceed+ your 6e4icle=s %E9 cold crankin5 require)ent+
0or your cli)ate' BC$=s de0inition o0 CCA is t4e disc4ar5e load )easured in a)ps t4at a ne3+ 0ully c4ar5ed *attery+
operatin5 at -D F (2(B'CD C)+ can deli6er 0or A- seconds and 34ile )aintainin5 t4e 6olta5e
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a*o6e B', 6olts' car and 9arine "tartin5 *atteries are so)eti)es ad6ertised *y t4eir CA (Crankin5 Per0or)ance A)ps)
)easured at A,D F (-D C)+ 9CA (9arine Crankin5 A)ps) )easured at A,D F (-D C)+ or ECA (Eot Crankin5 A)ps)
)easured at C-D F (,:'BD C)' 4ese )easure)ents are not t4e sa)e as CCA' Do not *e )isled *y t4e 4i54er CA+
9CA or ECA ratin5s' o con6ert CA or 9CA to CCA+ )ultiply t4e CA or 9CA *y -'C' o con6ert ECA to CCA+ )ultiply
ECA *y -':J' 4e Brits4 and $nternational Electrotec4nical Co))ision=s de0inition o0 CCA are crankin5 0or (C-
seconds and do3n to C'. 6olts at -D F (2(B'CD C) and 0or :- seconds and do3n to C'. 6olts at -D F+ (2(B'CD C)+
respecti6ely' o start a 0our cylinder 5asoline en5ine+ you 3ill need appro7i)ately :--2B-- CCAK si7 cylinder 5asoline
en5ine+ B--2C-- CCAK ei54t cylinder 5asoline en5ine+ B&-2C&- CCAK t4ree cylinder diesel en5ine+ :--2B-- CCAK 0our
cylinder diesel en5ine+ B--2C-- CCAK and ei54t cylinder diesel en5ine+ C--2(,-- CCA' Bruce Bo3lin5 and Al Hrippo
4a6e 3ritten a 6ery 4andy Battery Cold2Crankin5 A)p Esti)ation calculator 34ic4 can *e 0ound at
4ttp1GG333'*5so0le7'co)Gcca'4t)l' o con6ert CCA+ a "AE ("ociety o0 Auto)oti6e En5ineers) standard+ to an EN (no3
kno3n as EN)+ $EC+ D$N or M$" standard+ please re0er to t4e Con6ersion a*le at 4ttp1GG333')idtronics'co)G)anualsG
po3erYsensor(-&Y)anual'pd0 0ro) 9idtronics' $n 4ot cli)ates+ *uyin5 car or 9arine "tartin5 *atteries 3it4 dou*le or
triple t4e cold crankin5 a)ps t4at e7ceeds your startin5 require)ent is a 3aste o0 )oney *ecause t4e e7tra a)ps 3ill
not *e used' A starter )otor 3ill only de)and 34at it needs to operate' Eo3e6er+ in e7tre)ely cold cli)ates a 4i54er
CCA ratin5 is *etter+ due to increased po3er required to crank a slu55is4 en5ine and t4e ine00iciency o0 a cold car
*attery and t4e de)and is 5reater' As car *atteries a5e+ t4ey are also less capa*le o0 producin5 as )uc4 CCA as
34en t4ey 3ere ne3' Accordin5 to t4e BC$ (Battery Council $nternational)+ diesel en5ines require ,,-P to A--P )ore
current t4an t4eir 5asoline counterparts and 3inter startin5 requires (.-P to (B-P )ore current t4an t4e su))er'
4ese increased require)ents are accounted 0or in t4e %E9 (%ri5inal Equip)ent 9anu0acturer) CCA
reco))endation' CCA 6s' E9PERA!RE
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?"ource1 E7ide@ $0 )ore CCA capacity is required+ t3o identical lar5er :26olt startin5 *atteries can *e connected in
series or t3o identical (,26olt startin5 *atteries can *e connected in parallel' Please re0er to t4e dia5ra)s in "ection
B'A *elo3 0or )ore in0or)ation a*out connectin5 *atteries in series and parallel' $0 you connect t3o (,26olt *atteries in
parallel and t4ey are identical in type+ a5e and capacity+ you can potentially dou*le your ori5inal capacity' $0 you
connect t3o t4at are not t4e sa)e type+ you 3ill eit4er o6erc4ar5e t4e s)aller (or older) o0 t4e t3o or you 3ill
underc4ar5e t4e lar5er (or ne3er) o0 t4e t3o' ?*ack to $nde7@ B'A' Reser6e Capacity (RC) or A)p Eour (AE) Capacity
For car *atteries+ an equally i)portant consideration to CCA is t4e Reser6e Capacity (RC) or A)p Eour (AE) Capacity
ratin5s *ecause o0 t4e e00ects o0 increased parasitic (i5nition key o00) loads 34ile lon5 ter) parkin5+ po3er de)ands
durin5 s4ort trips and e)er5encies' RC is t4e nu)*er o0 )inutes a 0ully c4ar5ed *attery at C-D F (,:'BD C) can *e
disc4ar5ed at a constant ,& a)ps until t4e 6olta5e 0alls *elo3 (-'& 6olts' European and Asian startin5 and deep cycle
*atteries are usually rated in A)p Eours (AE)' o con6ert RC to AE (or AE to RC)+ c4eck t4e *attery )anu0acturer=s
speci0ications' 9ore RC is *etter in e6ery case' $n a 4ot cli)ate+ i0 your car 4as a A:- %E9 cold crankin5 a)ps
require)ent+ t4en a .-- CCA rated *attery 3it4 (,- )inutes o0 RC and )ore electrolyte 0or coolin5 3ould *e )ore
desira*le t4an one 3it4 :-- CCA 3it4 J- )inutes o0 RC' 4ere is also a relations4ip *et3een t4e 3ei54t o0 t4e *attery
and t4e a)ount o0 RC (or AE)' 4e 4ea6ier t4e *attery+ t4e )ore lead is 4as and potentially a lon5er ser6ice li0e' For
deep cycle *atteries+ an i)portant consideration is t4at t4e A)pere2Eour (AE) ratin5 3ill )eet or e7ceed t4e
require)ents *ased on your application and 4o3 )uc4 3ei54t you can carry' 9ost deep cycle *atteries are nor)ally
rated in nu)*er o0 4ours it take to disc4ar5e a 0ully c4ar5ed
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*attery to (-'& 6olts in ,- 4ours at C-D F (,:'BD C)+ denoted as FCG,-F' Disc4ar5e rates o0 (-- 4ours (CG(--)+ (- 4ours
(CG(-)+ C 4ours (CGC) or : 4ours (CG:) are also co))on ratin5s' 4e 4i54er t4e disc4ar5e rate (or lo3er nu)*er o0
4ours)+ t4e lo3er t4e capacity due to t4e Peukert E00ect and t4e internal resistance o0 t4e *attery' (Please see "ection
J'C')' /it4in a BC$ Hroup "i>e+ t4e *attery 3it4 4i54er AE (or RC) 3ill tend to lar5er in p4ysical si>e+ 4a6e lon5er li6es
and 3ei54 )ore *ecause o0 t4icker plates and )ore lead' Nor)ally t4e *est *uy 3ill *e t4e 4ea6iest *attery t4at *est
suites your application+ p4ysical si>e require)ents and t4at 4as t4e lo3est cost (includin5 )aintenance) 0or t4e total
a)ount o0 po3er it 3ill produce o6er it=s ser6ice li0e' ?*ack to $nde7@ B'A'(' $s Capacity E00ected By e)peratureL
e)perature )atters< 4e 0ollo3in5 5rap4 0ro) Concorde s4o3s t4e e00ects o0 te)perature on t4e capacity on t4eir
AH9 *attery1 PERCEN CAPAC$Y 6s' E9PERA!RE
?"ource1 Concorde@ B'A',' Eo3 Do $ $ncrease Battery CapacityL $0 )ore a)p 4ours (AE) or Reser6e Capacity (RC) are
required+ t4ere are nor)ally t4ree
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3ays to acco)plis4 t4is1 B'A','(' 3o (or )ore) identical (,26olt *atteries can *e connected in parallel' $0 you connect
t3o (,26olt *atteries in parallel and t4ey are identical in type+ a5e and capacity+ you can )ore t4an dou*le you ori5inal
capacity due to t4e Peukert E00ect' $0 you connect t3o t4at are not t4e sa)e type or capacity+ you 3ill eit4er o6erc4ar5e
t4e s)aller o0 t4e t3o+ or you 3ill underc4ar5e t4e lar5er o0 t4e t3o' Please take special note o0 t4e P%"$$8E (Q)
connection and NEHA$8E (2) connection to t4e load or c4ar5er and li)it t4e nu)*er o0 *atteries (or strin5s o0
*atteries) in parallel to 0our'
(, 8olts Parallel ?"ource1 Yac4t %ut0ittin5@ B'A',',' 3o identical lar5er capacity si726olt *atteries can *e connected in
series (P%"$$8E (Q) ter)inal o0 Battery %ne to t4e NEHA$8E (2) ter)inal o0 Battery 3o)'
(, 8olts "eries ?"ource1 Yac4t %ut0ittin5@ B'A','A' 3o identical lar5er capacity si726olt *atteries can *e connected in
series (P%"$$8E (Q) ter)inal o0 Battery %ne to t4e NEHA$8E (2) ter)inal o0 Battery 3o) to )ake a F(,26olt *atteryF'
3o (or )ore) identical F(,26olt *atteriesF can *e connected in parallel' 4e co)*ination is re0erred to as a series2
parallel connection' Please take special note o0 t4e P%"$$8E (Q) connection and NEHA$8E (2) connection to t4e
load or c4ar5er and li)it t4e nu)*er o0 *atteries (or strin5s o0 *atteries) in parallel to 0our'
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(, 8olts "eries2Parallel ?"ource1 Yac4t %ut0ittin5@ Additional in0or)ation on deep cycle *attery *ank si>in5 can *e
0ound at 4ttp1GG333' 5lacier*ay'co)G(*atcr5'4t) in an article 3ritten *y t4e 0olks at Hlacier Bay Re0ri5eration or *y
Constian 6on /ent>el at 4ttp1GG333'6on3ent>el'netGBatteryG-,'"i>eGinde7'4t)l' /4en connected as e7actly s4o3n in
t4e dia5ra)s+ t4e *atteries 3ill disc4ar5e and c4ar5e equally' Bet3een t4e *atteries+ ca*le len5t4s s4ould *e an equal
len5t4+ s4ort as possi*le and si>ed lar5e enou54 to pre6ent si5ni0icant 6olta5e drop o0 -'-B& 6olts (B& )illi6olts) per
(-- a)ps or less in t4e ca*les and connectors' Battery ca*les to t4e c4ar5er or in6erter s4ould *e an equal len5t4 so
t4e *atteries 3ill c4ar5e or disc4ar5e e6enly' /4at is i)portant is t4at t4e *attery )anu0acturer=s reco))ended
c4ar5in5 6olta5es are *ein5 applied directly across t4e *attery=s ter)inals 0ro) t4e c4ar5in5 source' !sin5 an
ad;usta*le Lo3 8olta5e Disconnect set to a )ini)u) o0 (-'& 8DC ((,'- 8DC is *etter) 3ill insure a 4i54er a6era5e
Dept42o02Disc4ar5e and 3ill protect electrical and electronic appliances and t4e *atteries 0ro) da)a5e 0ro) a real
deep disc4ar5e and cell re6ersal' ?*ack to $nde7@ B'A'A' /4ic4 is Better+ 3o :26olt Batteries in "eries or 3o (,26olt
Batteries in ParallelL "o)e *attery e7perts *elie6e t4at *atteries in series are easier to disc4ar5e or c4ar5e *ecause
t4e sa)e a)ount o0 current is applied to eac4 cell and are a little )ore relia*le' %t4er *attery e7perts *elie6e t4at
*atteries in parallel are *etter *ecause t4ey require less space+ 3ill 4a6e )ore capacity due to t4e Peukert E00ect and i0
a cell s4ould 0ail+ t4e *ad *attery can *e disconnected and t4e ot4er one can continued to *e used' For additional
in0or)ation on t4is discussion+ please read Battery Con0i5uration1 Parallel or "eriesL pu*lis4ed *y "ierra Ne6ada
Airstrea)s' ?*ack to $nde7@ B'A'.' Eo3 Do $ $ncrease t4e 8olta5eL $0 )ore 6olta5e is need+ connect identical *atteries in
series in t4e 0ollo3in5 )anner1
0ile1GGGHIGPDF=sGBatteriesGcar0aqB'4t) ((. o0 ,.).G,.G,--C J1&A1A( P9
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(, 8olts "eries
,. 8olts "eries ?"ource1 Yac4t %ut0ittin5@ 3o identical :26olt *atteries can *e connected in series to produce (,26olts'
3o identical (,26olt *atteries or t4ree identical C26olt *atteries can *e connected in series to produce ,.6olts' 4ree
identical (,26olt *atteries connected in series or si7 identical si726olt *atteries 3ill produce A:26olts' Please note t4at
t4e total a)p 4our capacity re)ains t4e sa)e' %t4er 6olta5e co)*inations are possi*le+ *ut t4e *attery type and a)p
4our capacity o0 eac4 *atteries s4ould *e t4e sa)e *ecause une6en disc4ar5in5 can cause c4ar5in5 pro*le)s' ?*ack
to $nde7@ B'A'&' Eo3 Can $ Reduce t4e 8olta5e in Eal0L FEal02tappin5F t3o *atteries in series can *e used to produce
4al0 o0 t4e 6olta5e' For e7a)ple+ let=s assu)e t4at t3o identical (,26olt *atteries are used in series to po3er a ,.6olt
trollin5 )otor and t4ere is a require)ent to po3er (,26olt li54ts or electronic equip)ent' 4e (,26olt electrical
appliances can *e connected to t4e (,26olt *atteries as lon5 t4e (,26olt electrical loads are equally di6ided *et3een
t4e t3o (,26olt *atteries+ so t4e loads are *alanced+ separate positi6e and ne5ati6e 3irin5+ and isolated 0ro) 5round'
You could also use a ,.26olt to (,26olt DC2to2DC Con6erter or a separate (,26olt c4ar5in5 syste) and *attery to
produce (,26olts'
0ile1GGGHIGPDF=sGBatteriesGcar0aqB'4t) ((& o0 ,.).G,.G,--C J1&A1A( P9
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?*ack to $nde7@ B'A':' /4ic4 /ei54s 9ore22%ne (,26olt or 3o :26olt BatteriesL %0 equal a)p 4our capacity+ a sin5le
(,26olt *attery 3ill 3ei54 appro7i)ately (-P less t4an t3o si726olt *atteries connected in series due to t4e additional
case )aterial and t4e *attery connectin5 ca*le' But+ t4e t3o si726olt *atteries can *e split a part and eac4 *attery
3ei54s appro7i)ately 4al0 o0 t4e 3ei54t o0 t4e (,26olt *attery' ?*ack to $nde7@ B'A'B' Can $ 9i7 Non2$dentical BatteriesL
o pre6ent c4ar5in5 pro*le)s 34en connectin5 *atteries in series+ parallel+ or series2parallel+ do not )i7 old and ne3
*atteries or ones o0 di00erent capacities or types' 9i7in5 old *atteries 3it4 ne3 *atteries is like )i7in5 old )ilk 3it4 ne3
)ilk22soon you 4a6e not4in5 *ut old )ilk' 4e reason is *ecause you 3ill eit4er underc4ar5e t4e lar5er (or ne3est) o0
t4e *atteries or o6erc4ar5e t4e s)aller (or oldest) o0 t4e *atteries'
0ile1GGGHIGPDF=sGBatteriesGcar0aqB'4t) ((: o0 ,.).G,.G,--C J1&A1A( P9
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?*ack to $nde7@ B'.' "i>e $n Nort4 A)erica+ )anu0acturers *uild t4eir *atteries to an adopted Battery Council
$nternational (BC$) Hroup "i>e Nu)*er (!(+ ,.+ ,B+ A(+ A.+ A&+ :&+ B&+ BC+ CD+ HC+ L2(:+ etc') standard' 4ese
speci0ications+ 34ic4 are *ased on t4e p4ysical case si>e+ ter)inal place)ent+ type and polarity' $n Europe+ t4e EN
(European ype Nu)*erin5) standard 4as replaced t4e older EN+ $#C+ $talian CE$+ and Her)an D$N standards' $n
Asia+ t4e Mapanese M$" standard is co))only used' 4e %E9 *attery nu)*er is a 5ood startin5 place to deter)ine
t4e replace)ent *attery' /it4in a si>e+ t4e CCA and RC ratin5s+ 3arranty and *attery type 3ill 6ary 3it4in )odels o0
t4e sa)e *rand or 0ro) *rand to *rand' Batteries are 5enerally sold *y )odel or series+ so t4e si>e nu)*ers 3ill 6ary
0or t4e sa)e price' For t4e sa)e price+ you can potentially *uy a p4ysically lar5er *attery 3it4 )ore CCA or RC (or
AE) t4an t4e *attery you are replacin5' For e7a)ple+ a A.GBC 5roup )i54t replace a s)aller ,:GB- 5roup and 5i6e you
an additional A- )inutes o0 RC' $0 you *uy a p4ysically lar5er *attery+ *e sure t4at t4e replace)ent *attery 3ill 0it+ t4e
ca*les 3ill connect to t4e correct ter)inals+ and t4at t4e ter)inals 3ill N% touc4 )etal sur0aces suc4 as t4e 4ood
34en it is closed' 4e *attery )anu0acturers pu*lis4 application "election Huides t4at contain %E9 cold crankin5
a)pera5e require)ents and 5roup nu)*er replace)ent reco))endations *y )ake+ )odel and year o0 car+ *attery
si>e+ and CCA and RC (or A)p Eour) speci0ications' You can also 0ind t4e BC$ si>e in0or)ation online at
4ttp1GG333'rtpnet'or5GZteaaG*ci5roup'4t)l or in so)e o0 t4e "election Huides in t4e Battery 9anu0acturers and Pri6ate
La*els List 0ound at 4ttp1GG333'*attery0aq'or5' 9anu0acturers )i54t not *uild or t4e store )i54t not carry all t4e *attery
si>es' o reduce in6entory costs+ dual ter)inal Funi6ersalF *atteries t4at 3ill replace se6eral 5roup si>es are *eco)in5
)ore popular and 0it B&P or )ore o0 cars on t4e road today' ?*ack to $nde7@ B'&' er)inals 4ere are si7 types o0
co))on *attery ter)inals1 "AE Post+ H9 "ide+ FLF+ "tud+ co)*ination "AE and "tud+ and co)*ination "AE Post and
H9 "ide' For auto)oti6e applications+ t4e "AE Post is t4e )ost popular+ 0ollo3ed *y H9 "ide+ t4en t4e co)*ination
FdualF "AE Post and H9 "ide' FLF ter)inal is used on so)e European cars+ )otorcycles+ la3n and 5arden equip)ent+
sno3)o*iles+ and ot4er li54t duty 6e4icles' "tud ter)inals are used on 4ea6y duty and deep cycle *atteries' 4e
P%"$$8E (Q) "AE ter)inal post is sli54tly lar5er+ (G(: inc4 ((': )))+ t4an t4e NEHA$8E (2) post' er)inal types+
locations and polarity 3ill 6ary' 4ere are adapters a6aila*le t4at 3ill you allo3 to connect ca*les 3it4 FH9F style side
ter)inals to *atteries 3it4 top post ter)inals or 6isa 6ersa'
0ile1GGGHIGPDF=sGBatteriesGcar0aqB'4t) ((B o0 ,.).G,.G,--C J1&A1A( P9
54
?"ource1 BC$@ Battery )anu0acturers or distri*utors 3ill o0ten Fpri6ate la*elF t4eir *atteries 0or car )anu0acturers+ lar5e
c4ain stores or e7port' An alp4a*etical list o0 )ost o0 t4e lar5est *attery )anu0acturersG distri*utors+ t4eir /e*
addresses+ telep4one nu)*ers and so)e o0 t4eir *rand na)es+ trade)arks and pri6ate la*els can 0ound in t4e Battery
9anu0acturers X Pri6ate La*els List at 4ttp1GG333' *attery0aq'or5' %3ners4ip+ *randin5+ /e* addresses and telep4one
nu)*ers 3ill so)eti)es c4an5e' ?*ack to $nde7@ B':' Fres4ness Lead2acid *atteries are peris4a*le and sul0ate in
stora5e due to t4eir natural sel0 disc4ar5e' Please see "ection (: 0or )ore in0or)ation on sul0ation' Deter)inin5 t4e
F0res4nessF o0 a *attery is so)eti)es di00icult' !nless it 4as *een periodically rec4ar5ed or Fdry c4ar5edF+ NE8ER *uy
a 3et "tandard ("*G"*) or Lo3 9aintenance ("*GCa) *attery t4at is 9%RE t4an t4ree )ont4s old or a 3et
9aintenance Free (CaGCa) *attery t4at is 9%RE t4an si7 )ont4s old' Dry c4ar5ed *atteries are s4ipped 3it4out
electrolyte+ *ut usually 4a6e Fsell *yF dates o0 one to t4ree years' Dependin5 on t4e te)perature+ AH9 and Hel Cell
*atteries t4at can *e stored si7 to (C )ont4s *e0ore t4e "tate2o02C4ar5e drops *elo3 C-P' Please see "ection (:' 0or
)ore in0or)ation on sul0ation' Dealers 3ill place t4eir older *atteries in stora5e
0ile1GGGHIGPDF=sGBatteriesGcar0aqB'4t) ((C o0 ,.).G,.G,--C J1&A1A( P9
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racks so t4ey 3ill sell 0irst and t4ey do not 4a6e to )aintain t4e)' 4e 0res4er *atteries can *e 0ound in t4e rear o0 t4e
*attery rack or in a stora5e roo)' For a 3et *attery+ t4e date o0 0or)ation is o0ten sta)ped on t4e case or printed on a
sticker' Al3ays 4a6e a ne3 *attery tested+ and rec4ar5ed i0 necessary+ *e0ore you lea6e t4e store' 4is can sa6e you a
lot o0 ti)e and 0rustration i0 t4e ne3 *attery is sul0ated or 4as a )anu0acturin5 de0ect' "o)e o0 t4e )anu0acturer=s
0or)ation date codin5 tec4niques are as 0ollo3s1 B':'(' Delp4i (ACDelco) and so)e "ears DieEard Dates are sta)ped
on t4e co6er near one post' 4e 0irst nu)*er is t4e year' 4e second c4aracter is t4e )ont4 A29+ skippin5 $' 4e last
t3o c4aracters indicate 5eo5rap4ic areas' For e7a)ple+ -BNA[,--- Fe*ruary'
?"ource1 $nterstate Batteries@ B':',' Dou5las Dou5las uses t4e letters o0 t4eir na)e to indicate t4e year o0 )anu0acture
and t4e di5its (2(, 0or t4e )ont4' D[(JJ. %[(JJ& ![(JJ: H[(JJB L[(JJC A[(JJJ "[,--- For e7a)ple+ "-,[,---
Fe*' B':'A' East Penn+ E7ide (C4a)pion)+ Mo4nson Controls $nc'+ $nterstate+ 9opar (C4rysler) and so)e "ears
DieEard) !sually on a sticker or 4ot2sta)ped on t4e side o0 t4e case' A[Manuary+ B[Fe*ruary+ and t4e letter $ is
skipped' 4e nu)*er ne7t to t4e letter is t4e year o0 s4ip)ent' For e7a)ple+ B-[Fe* ,---'
?"ource1 $nterstate Batteries@
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B':'.' E7ide (so)e "ears non2Hold DieEards) 4e 0ourt4 or 0i0t4 c4aracter is t4e )ont4' 4e 0ollo3in5 nu)eric
c4aracter is t4e year' A29 skippin5 $' For e7a)ple+ R%CB-B[Fe*ruary ,---'
?"ource1 $nterstate Batteries@ B':'&' %pti)a 4e 0irst c4aracter is t4e year' 4e 0ollo3in5 t4ree nu)eric c4aracters are
t4e days o0 t4e year' For e7a)ple+ A(,A[A 9ay ,--A' B':':' ro;an 4e date code on t4e ne5ati6e post is sta)ped as
t4e *attery co)es o00 o0 t4e 0inis4in5 line+ ready to s4ip out or 5o into stock' 4e code t4at is sta)ped is usually one
)ont4 a4ead' 4ere0ore+ a *attery t4at co)es out in 9arc4 3ill carry an April date code' 4e code on t4e positi6e post
is t4e )anu0acturin5 date t4at indicates 34en t4e *attery 3as p4ysically *uilt *ut *e0ore t4e addition o0 any electrolyte'
4e letter is t4e )ont4 (A[Man+ B[Fe*+ C[9arc4+ etc') and t4e nu)*er is t4e actual date' "o F#,:F )eans t4at t4e
*attery 3as ready 0or electrolyte 0illin5 and t4e 0irst 0or)in5 c4ar5e 3as on No6e)*er ,:t4' "ince t4e ne5ati6e post
s4o3s A, (Manuary ,--,)+ t4e )anu0acturin5 year 4as to *e ,--(' B':'B' Concorde 4e acti6ation date is on an
oran5e sticker t4e s4ippin5 carton or e)ail Concorde Custo)er "er6ice 3it4 t4e serial nu)*er o0 t4e *attery' B':'C'
Rolls and "urrette 4e 0our di5it date code represents t4e day o0 t4e 3eek (0irst di5it)+ 3eek o0 t4e year ()iddle t3o
di5its) and t4e year (last di5it)' For e7a)ple+ April .+ ,--A 3ould 4a6e .(.A as a date code' 4e date code is sta)ped
into t4e 0ront ed5e o0 t4e co6er o0 t4e *attery' $0 you cannot deter)ine t4e date code+ ask t4e dealer or contact t4e
)anu0acturer' Because o0 per)anent sul0ation due to sel0 disc4ar5e+ 0res4er is de0initely *etter and does )atter' ?*ack
to $nde7@ B'B' /arranty
0ile1GGGHIGPDF=sGBatteriesGcar0aqB'4t) (,- o0 ,.).G,.G,--C J1&A1A( P9
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Battery 3arranties are not necessarily indicati6e o0 t4e quality or ser6ice li0e' "o)e dealers 3ill prorate 3arranties
*ased on t4e list price o0 t4e *ad *attery+ so i0 a *attery 0ailed 4al0 3ay or )ore t4rou54 its 3arranty period+ *uyin5 a
ne3 *attery outri54t )i54t cost you less t4an payin5 t4e di00erence under a pro rated 3arranty' 4e e7ception to t4is
are t4e 0ree replace)ent 3arranties' 4ey represent t4e risk t4at t4e )anu0acturer is 3illin5 to assu)e' %ne !'"' car
*attery )anu0acturer+ Day"tarter+ is o00erin5 a 0i6e year 0ree replace)ent 3arranty' A lon5er 0ree replace)ent 3arranty
period is 5enerally *etter dependin5 on t4e cost o0 t4e *attery' ?*ack to $nde7@ B'C' Buyin5 ips 4e 0ollo3in5 are so)e
tips 0or consu)ers 0or *uyin5 car+ )otorcycle+ truck+ )arine and recreational 6e4icle startin5 and deep cycle *atteries'
Be0ore you *uy a replace)ent *attery+ you s4ould 0ully c4ar5e your old *attery+ re)o6e t4e sur0ace c4ar5e and test it'
You could 4a6e a 0aulty c4ar5in5 syste)+ loose alternator *elt or corroded ter)inals' B'C'(' "i>e )atters< Purc4asin5 a
*attery 4as *eco)e )uc4 easier *ecause )ost o0 t4e *attery and 6e4icle )anu0acturers 4a6e adopted t4e BC$ Hroup
Nu)*er+ EN or M$" as a standard 0or t4e *attery=s 6olta5e+ p4ysical si>e+ and ter)inal type and location' /e* *ased
Battery "electors pu*lis4ed *y *attery )anu0acturers or distri*utors can )ake t4e task e6en easier' 4ey contain t4e
6e4icle=s )ini)u) cold crankin5 a)ps (CCA) require)ent and *attery si>e replace)ent reco))endations *y )ake+
)odel and year o0 )anu0acturer' B'C',' Pick t4e *attery type t4at )atc4es your c4ar5in5 syste)' For startin5 an
en5ine+ usin5 a car *attery is nor)ally a *etter c4oice t4an a deep cycle *attery *ecause it is speci0ically desi5ned 0or
s4allo3 ((P2AP) disc4ar5es' 4e *attery type 9!" )atc4 your 6e4icle=s c4ar5in5 syste) or you could da)a5e t4e
ne3 *attery or c4ar5in5 syste)' 4e easiest 3ay to acco)plis4 t4is is to replace your *attery 3it4 t4e sa)e or
co)pati*le type o0 *attery t4at 3as ori5inally installed *y t4e 6e4icle=s )anu0acturer' 4e e7ception to t4is is in 4ot
cli)ates+ usin5 a non2sealed 3et car *attery (3it4 0iller caps) is 4i54ly encoura5ed *ecause lost 3ater can *e easily
replaced' For *atteries 3it4 side ter)inals co))only 0ound in Heneral 9otors 6e4icles+ c4eck t4e ter)inal *olt len5t4
and do not o6er ti54ten *ecause you )i54t crack t4e *attery case and cause a leak' For a deep cycle application+
usin5 a deep cycle *attery is )uc4 *etter alternati6e t4an usin5 a car *attery *ecause t4e deep cycle *attery 3ill 4a6e
a )uc4 lon5er ser6ice li0e 34en deeply disc4ar5ed' B'C'A' For car *atteries+ select t4e *attery 3it4 CCA (Cold
Crankin5 A)ps) t4at 3ill )eet or e7ceed t4e 6e4icle )anu0acturer=s reco))endation' Do not su*stitute CA (Crankin5
Per0or)ance A)ps)+ 9CA (9arine Crankin5 A)ps)+ or ECA (Eot Crankin5 A)ps) 0or CCA' $n 4ot cli)ates+ *uyin5
*atteries 3it4 dou*le or triple t4e crankin5 a)ps t4at e7ceeds your startin5 require)ent is a 3aste o0 )oney' Eo3e6er+
in e7tre)ely cold cli)ates+ 4i54er CCA ratin5s are *etter+ due to increased po3er required to crank a slu55is4 en5ine
and t4e ine00iciency o0 a cold *attery' Ma)es /' Dou5las=
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58
reco))endation in 4is Fe*ruary ,--- article+ Battery "election22A Consu)ers Huide+ in 4e Battery 9an )a5a>ine+
is1 F4e sleek+ aerodyna)ic desi5ns 4a6e lo3 coolin5 air0lo3 t4rou54 t4e en5ine co)part)ent and t4at s)all in stature
*attery 3it4 4i54 cold crank ?a)ps@ 3ill 4a6e )any 6ery t4in lead plates ;ust to 5et t4e necessary sur0ace area to )ake
t4at *i5 cold crank nu)*er' $t 3ill 4a6e t4e lo3er 6olu)e o0 electrolyte to pro6ide t4e coolin5 necessary 0or lon5 li0e and
t4e 5reater capacity to run t4e ?electrical@ syste)s on t4e car' All o0 t4ose t4in plates 3ill corrode a3ay and 0ail lon5
*e0ore e7pected puttin5 t4e 4i54 per0or)ance *attery=s li0e *elo3 t4at o0 t4e lo3er CCA rated *attery 3it4 t4e lo3er
cost' Your *est rule2o02t4u)* is+ i0 it )eets t4e %E9 (%ri5inal Equip)ent 9anu0acturers) reco))endation+ *uy it' Look
0or t4e 4i54est reser6e capacity ?RC@ *attery at t4e correct CCA (Cold Crankin5 A)ps)'F B'C'.' 9ore Reser6e Capacity
(RC) or A)p Eours (AE) is a 5ood t4in5' Hreater RC or AE is *etter *ecause o0 t4e e00ects o0 increased parasitic
(i5nition key o00) loads and nor)al *attery sel0 disc4ar5e 34ile t4e 6e4icle is not *ein5 used or in stora5e and t4e
de)ands o0 stop2and25o dri6in5' A)p Eour (AE) ratin5s are nor)ally used to descri*e t4e capacity o0 deep cycle and
European car (startin5) *atteries' /4en co)parin5 AE speci0ications+ use t4e sa)e disc4ar5e rates+ e7pressed in
4ours' 4e )ost co))on is t4e ,- 4our rate 34ic4 is e7pressed as FCG,-F' A 4ea6ier *attery 4as )ore lead and is
nor)ally *etter c4oice' Batteries are 5enerally sold *y )odel or series+ so t4e *attery si>es can 6ary 0or t4e sa)e
price' 4is )eans t4at 0or t4e sa)e price+ you can potentially *uy a lar5er *attery 3it4 )ore RC or AE t4an t4e *attery
you are replacin5' $0 you *uy a p4ysically lar5er *attery+ *e sure t4at t4e replace)ent *attery 3ill 0it+ t4e ca*les 3ill
connect to t4e correct ter)inals+ and t4at t4e ter)inals 3ill N% touc4 )etal sur0aces suc4 as a closed 4ood (or
*onnet)' B'C'&' Batteries are peris4a*le+ so *uy t4e FRE"EE" a6aila*le' !nless a *attery 4as *een periodically
rec4ar5ed+ ne6er *uy a non2sealed 3et "tandard ("*G "*) or Lo3 9aintenance ("*GCa) *attery t4at is )ore t4an t4ree
)ont4s old+ a sealed 3et 9aintenance Free (CaGCa) *attery t4at is )ore t4an si7 )ont4s old+ or sealed AH9 or Hel
Cell *attery t4at is o6er (, )ont4s old+ *ecause it 4as started to sul0ate' FDry c4ar5edF *atteries are s4ipped 3it4out
electrolyte and usually 4a6e Fsell *yF dates o0 one to t4ree years' Battery dealers 3ill o0ten place t4eir 0res4er *atteries
in t4e rear o0 t4e *attery rack or in a stora5e roo)' 4e date o0 )anu0acture is o0ten sta)ped on t4e case or printed on
a sticker' Al3ays 4a6e a ne3 *attery tested+ and rec4ar5ed i0 necessary+ *e0ore you lea6e t4e store' B'C':' Look 0or
lon5er 0ree replace)ent 3arranties' Pro rated *attery replace)ent 3arranties are not necessarily indicati6e o0 t4e
quality or cost o6er t4e li0e o0 t4e *attery' 4e e7ception is t4e 0ree replace)ent 3arranty+ 34ic4 represents t4e risk
t4at t4e )anu0acturer is 3illin5 to assu)e' ?*ack to $nde7@
0ile1GGGHIGPDF=sGBatteriesGcar0aqB'4t) (,, o0 ,.).G,.G,--C J1&A1A( P9
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B'J' Eo3 Do $ "i>e For Backup AC Po3erL For *ackup po3er+ 4ere are t4e steps 0or si>in5 t4e *attery *ank+ in6erter+
AC *attery *ank c4ar5er and 5enerator *ased on your AC po3er require)ents' Battery *ank capacity si>in5 is *ased
on po3er require)ents+ in6erter e00iciency+ 3irin5 po3er loss+ disc4ar5e rate (Peukert E00ect)+ electrolyte te)perature+
and desired a6era5e Dept42o02Disc4ar5e' DC AC Po3er $n6erters 4as a si)ple and easy to use *attery capacity
calculator at 4ttp1GG333'dcacpo3erin6erters'co)G 0aq'4t)\,,' B'J'(' Calculate t4e cu)ulati6e daily AC load in a)ps
4ours (AE) at (,- 8AC' 4is 3ill require deter)inin5 4o3 )uc4 current an appliance uses and 0or 4o3 lon5 ti)es t4e
Fduty cycleF (t4e a)ount o0 ti)e t4e appliance is on durin5 t4at ti)e period)' For e7a)ple i0 you 4a6e1 a' 3o :- 3att
li54ts t4at you use continuously 0or 0our 4ours+ t4e calculation 3ould *e :- 3attsG(,- 6olts 7 . 4ours 7 , li54ts [ . AE'
*' A ,-- 3att re0ri5erator t4at is on 0or ,. 4ours 3it4 a ,&P duty cycle+ t4e calculation 3ould *e ,-- 3attsG(,- 6olts 7
,. 4ours 7 ,&P [ (- AE' c' A 0i6e a)p po3er drill t4at you use (& seconds at a ti)e 0or ,& ti)es+ t4e calculation
3ould *e & a)ps 7 (& seconds G :- seconds G :- )inutes 7 ,& [ '&, AE' c' A (- a)p su)p pu)p t4at is on ,. 4ours
and 4as a &-P duty cycle+ t4e calculation 3ould *e (- a)ps 7 ,. 4ours 7 &-P [ (,- AE' 4e daily su) o0 t4ese 0our
appliances 3ould *e . AE Q (- AE Q '& AE Q (,- AE [ (A.'& AE at (,- 8AC' B'J',' Dependin5 on t4e e00iciency o0
t4e in6erter and t4e po3er loss in t4e 3irin5+ it takes *et3een (, and (. a)ps o0 (, 8DC po3er to produce one a)p
o0 (,- 8AC po3er or ,. to ,C a)ps to produce one a)p o0 ,.- 8AC' !sin5 t4e a*o6e e7a)ple in t4e 3orst case+ it
3ill require (. 7 (A.'& AE [ (CCA'A AE per day' B'J'A' Dependin5 on t4e a6era5e load on t4e *attery *ank+ t4e
capacity )ay 4a6e to *e ad;usted due to t4e Peukert E00ect t4at *asically says t4at t4e 4i54er t4e disc4ar5e rate+ )ore
capacity is require to produce t4e sa)e a)ount o0 po3er' (,26olt deep cycle *atteries are nor)ally rated *y t4e 0ully
c4ar5ed capacity di6ided *y t4e nu)*er o0 4ours o0 disc4ar5e it take to drop to (-'& 8DC' A 6ery co))on rate is o6er
a ,- 4our period and is is e7pressed as FCG,-F' $n t4e e7a)ple a*o6e+ (CCA'A AE are *ein5 consu)ed in a ,. 4our
period 34ic4 4as a sli54tly lo3er rate t4at o6er a t3enty 4our period+ so 3e could pro*a*ly derate t4e daily capacity *y
(-P or (CCA'A AE 7 'J [ (:J& AE per day' $0 all o0 t4is po3er 3ere consu)ed o6er si7 4our period+ you 3ould
pro*a*ly need to increase t4e daily *attery capacity *y appro7i)ately ,&P' B'J'.' Dependin5 on t4e te)perature o0
t4e *attery electrolyte+ t4e capacity )i54t also 4a6e to ad;usted' 4e e7a)ple a*o6e assu)es C- de5rees F' $0 your
*attery *ank 3as operatin5 at :- de5rees F t4en you 3ould 4a6e to increase t4e capacity *y (-P and at A, de5rees
F+ *y ,-P' Let=s assu)e t4e *atteries are in a 4eated area at B- de5rees+ so you 3ould increase t4e daily capacity *y
&P or (:J& AE 7 ('-& [ (BC- AE per day'
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B'J'&' Dependin5 4o3 )any disc4ar5eGc4ar5e cycles you 3ant your *attery *ank to last+ you 3ill need to increase t4e
capacity' Let=s assu)e t4at you are usin5 Flo3 endF ine7pensi6e deep cycle *atteries t4at at -P a6era5e Dept42o02
Disc4ar5e (DoD) 3ill last &- cycles+ at ,-P a6era5e DoD 3ill last ,-- cycles and at &-P a6era5e DoD 3ill last &--
cycles' $n t4e e7a)ple+ 0or -P a6era5e DoD+ you 3ould require a *attery *ank 3it4 a daily capacity o0 (BC- AE+ at
C-P DoD ((BC- AE G C-P [ ,,,& AE)+ and at &-P DoD ((BC- AE G &-P [ A&:- AE)' B'J':' %nce you 4a6e
deter)ined your daily capacity+ t4en you need to deter)ine 4o3 )any 4ours or days you 3ant to run usin5 your
*attery *ank *e0ore you rec4ar5e your *atteries' B'J'B' o si>e t4e in6erter usin5 t4e e7a)ple a*o6e+ calculate t4e
3orst case load (3it4 all t4e appliance on at once) 34ic4 is (:- 3atts 7 , li54ts) Q,-- 3atts Q (& a)ps 7 (,- 6olts) Q
((- a)ps 7 (,- 6olts) [ ,(,- 3atts ] (,- 8AC' You 3ill need to consider t4e start sur5e po3er require)ent o0 up to
0i6e ti)e t4e run current 3it4 lar5e inducti6e startin5 loads+ suc4 as )otors and trans0or)ers' B'J'C' o si>e t4e *attery
c4ar5er+ you 3ill 34at t4e output to *e at least (-P o0 t4e *attery capacity to 0ully rec4ar5e t4e *atteries 3it4in ,.
4ours' !sin5 t4e e7a)ple a*o6e+ you 3ould need a (B& a)p c4ar5er at -P DoD+ ,,& a)p at ,-P DoD+ and A&-
a)ps at &-P DoD' B'J'J' o si>e an AC 5enerator+ usin5 t4e e7a)ple a*o6e 3it4out rec4ar5in5 t4e *attery *ank+ t4e
3orst case load (3it4 all t4e appliance on at t4e sa)e ti)e) is (:- 3atts 7 , li54ts) Q ,-- 3atts Q (& a)ps 7 (,- 6olts) Q
((- a)ps 7 (,- 6olts) [ ,(,- 3atts ] (,- 8AC' You 3ould also need to consider t4e sur5e po3er require)ent up to
0i6e ti)es t4e run load' $0 you are usin5 )otors+ take into consideration t4eir peak startin5 current' $0 you 3ant to
rec4ar5e t4e *atteries in addition to usin5 your appliances+ you 3ould need to add ,C-- 3atts 0or -P DoD+ A&-- 3atts
0or ,-P DoD+ and &&-- 3atts 0or &-P DoD to po3er t4e *attery c4ar5er' As you can see 0ro) t4is e7a)ple+ usin5 ;ust
*attery *ackup 0or one day 0or AC po3er 3it4 a 4ea6y load can *eco)e 6ery e7pensi6e+ so t4at is 34y )ost F5ridF
po3er *ackup syste)s is an AC 5enerator+ co)*ination o0 *atteries and AC 5enerator+ or co)*ination o0 *attery and
solar po3er 3it4 AC 5enerator *ackup' ?*ack to $nde7@ RRRPre6ious ?Eo)e@ ?op@ Ne7tOOO
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Car and Deep Cycle Battery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) "ection C
C' E%/ D% $ $N"ALL NE/ BAER$E"L
Last !pdated on %cto*er ,A+ ,--. /4ile 3orkin5 3it4 car or deep cycle lead2acid *atteries+ please 3ear 5lasses to
protect your eyes in t4e unlike e6ent o0 an e7plosion' $n a recent )arketin5 study in t4e !'"'+ consu)ers (or non2
pro0essional *attery installers) installed al)ost :-P o0 t4e appro7i)ately C, )illion replace)ent car *atteries t4at 3ere
)ade in (JJJ' Car *atteries 3ere t4e 0ourt4 )ost popular ite) purc4ased a)on5 auto parts' 4e sa)e study indicated
t4at /al29art (E6er"tart) 4as surpassed "ears (DieEard) as t4e nu)*er one car *attery seller in t4e !nited "tates
3it4 Auto None (DuraLast) as t4e )ost popular o0 t4e !'"' auto parts stores 0or car *atteries' Belo3 are so)e
questions you need to ask yoursel0 *ecause t4e installation o0 a replace)ent *attery and disposal o0 t4e old one is
usually included in t4e purc4ase price at so)e auto parts and *attery stores1
q
Eo3 )uc4 )oney or ti)e do $ sa6e i0 $ install it )ysel0L /4ere is t4e *attery locatedL "o)e car )anu0acturers locate
t4e %E9 (%ri5inal Equip)ent 9anu0acturer) *attery under t4e rear seat+ trunk or in t4e 0ender *e4ind an access door
in t4e 34eel 3ell' A car *attery 3ei54ts *et3een A- and :- pounds ((A': and ,B'A #5) and deep cycle *attery can
3ei54 se6eral 4undred pounds (or kilos)+ so a) $ p4ysically capa*le o0 install itL /4at do $ do 3it4 t4e old *attery i0 not
e7c4an5ed 0or t4e ne3 oneL 4is is especially i)portant i0 t4e *atteries are not lead2acid+ 0or e7a)ple+ Ni2Cad' 4e
proper disposal o0 a non lead2acid *attery could cost )ore t4at a ne3 *attery' Eo3 do $ sa6e t4e radio station presets+
e)issions co)puter settin5s+ or security codes *e0ore disconnectin5 t4e old startin5 *attery Do $ 3ant to risk an in;ury
or 4oles in )y clot4esL
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q
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$0 you decide to proceed+ 0ollo3in5 is a list o0 easy steps to replace your *attery and assu)es t4at t4ere t4e electrical
and c4ar5in5 syste)s are in 5ood condition1 C'(' Fully c4ar5e and test t4e ne3 *attery' (Please see "ection J 0or
c4ar5in5 and "ection . 0or testin5 t4e *attery') C',' $0 a non2sealed 3et *attery+ c4eck t4e electrolyte le6els a0ter t4e
*attery 4as reac4ed roo) te)perature and Ftop o00F to t4e proper le6el 3it4 distilled+ deioni>ed or de)inerali>ed 3ater
as required+ *ut do not o6er 0ill' 4e plates need to *e co6ered 3it4 electrolyte at all ti)es to pre6ent an internal *attery
e7plosion or sul0ation' Please see "ection A', 0or electrolyte 0ill le6el dia5ra)' C'A' 4orou54ly 3as4 and clean t4e old
*attery+ *attery ter)inals and tray (case or *o7) 3it4 3ar) 3ater to )ini)i>e pro*le)s 0ro) acid or corrosion' Please
see "ection A'. 0or )ore in0or)ation on corrosion' C'.' 9ark all o0 t4e *attery ca*les so you 3ill kno3 4o3 to reconnect
to proper *attery post or ter)inal and c4eck t4e ca*les and ca*le ter)inals closely 0or da)a5e' A loose ter)inal
connection+ corrosion+ *ad cri)p (in especially a *attery ca*le ter)inals 3it4 )ultiple 3ires into it)+ or cut ca*le 3ill
cause a 4i54 resistance and a lar5e 6olta5e drop 34en 4i54 current is runnin5 t4ou54 it' $0 t4e ca*les are re6ersed+ you
can do e7tensi6e da)a5e to your electrical syste)' C'&' o pre6ent 6olta5e spikes 0ro) da)a5in5 electronic
equip)ent suc4 as t4e e)issions co)puter and to sa6e t4e radio station presets+ e)issions co)puter and security
code settin5s+ te)porarily connect a second (,26olt *attery in parallel to t4e electrical syste) *e0ore disconnectin5 t4e
0irst *attery' $0 acti6e 34en t4e key is o00+ a ci5arette li54ter plu5 can *e used to easily connect a (,26olt parallel *attery'
Ci5arette li54ter adapters are a6aila*le at electronics stores and FCo)puter 9e)ory "a6erF 3it4 a J26olt *attery are
a6aila*le at so)e auto parts stores+ like MC /4itney 0or a*out T(-' C':' urn o00 all t4e electrical s3itc4es and *reakers
and electronic and electrical accessories and appliances' /it4out usin5 a 4a))er on t4e *attery ca*le ter)inals or
posts+ re)o6e t4e NEHA$8E (2) ca*le 0irst *ecause t4is 3ill )ini)i>e t4e possi*ility o0 s4ortin5 t4e *attery 34en you
re)o6e t4e ot4er ca*les' "ecure t4e ne5ati6e ca*le so t4at it cannot Fsprin5F loose and )ake electrical contact' Ne7t
re)o6e t4e P%"$$8E (Q) ca*le' Please re)e)*er t4at t4e *attery ter)inal connector on t4e end o0 t4e P%"$$8E (Q)
*attery ca*le )ay*e F4otF (or 4a6e 6olta5e on it 0ro) a parallel *attery)+ so put it in a s)all plastic *a5 or clot4 around
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it so t4at it 3ill not touc4 t4e )etal 0ra)e or en5ine co)ponents' C'B' Care0ully li0t t4e old *attery out and dispose o0 it
*y e7c4an5in5 it 34en you *uy your ne3 replace)ent *attery or *y takin5 it to a recyclin5 center' For additional
in0or)ation on recyclin5 *atteries+ 5o to 4ttp1GG333'*atterycouncil'or5G recyclin5'4t)l' Please re)e)*er t4at *atteries
contain lar5e a)ounts o0 4ar)0ul lead+ acid and ot4er c4e)icals+ so take 5reat care 3it4 sa0ety and please dispose o0
your old *attery properly to protect our 0ra5ile en6iron)ent' C'C' A0ter re)o6in5 t4e old *attery+ insure t4at t4e *attery
tray or *o7+ ca*le ter)inals+ and connectors are clean' Auto parts or *attery stores sell an ine7pensi6e *rass 3ire
*rus4 t4at 3ill clean t4e inside o0 post ter)inal cla)ps and t4e post ter)inals' $0 t4e ter)inals+ ca*les or 4old2do3n
*rackets are corroded+ replace t4e)' A *roken 4old do3n *racket 3ill cause e7cessi6e *attery 6i*ration and t4at 3ill
cause a pre)ature *attery 0ailure' Replace any *attery ca*les t4at are corrodin5+ s3ellin5 or ot4er da)a5e 3it4 equal
or lar5er dia)eter ca*le' Lar5er ca*le is *etter *ecause t4ere is less 6olta5e drop' Please see E7ide=s 8olta5e Drop in
Ca*les 0or additional in0or)ation' C'J' C4eck t4e positi6e and ne5ati6e ter)inal )arkin5s on t4e replace)ent *attery
and position it so t4at t4e NEHA$8E (2) ca*le 3ill connect to t4e NEHA$8E (2) ter)inal' Re6ersin5 t4e polarity o0 t4e
electrical syste) can se6erely da)a5e or DE"R%Y it' $t can e6en cause t4e *attery to e7plode' C'(-' A0ter replacin5
and ti54tenin5 t4e 4old2do3n *racket+ re)o6e any plastic caps or co6ers on t4e ter)inals o0 t4e replace)ent *attery+
and reconnect t4e ca*les in re6erse order+ t4at is+ attac4 t4e P%"$$8E (Q) ca*le 0irst and t4e NEHA$8E (2) ca*le
last' For Heneral 9otors2type side ter)inals+ c4eck t4e len5t4 o0 t4e *olt and do not o6er ti54ten+ or you could crack
t4e *attery case' Connections need to *e periodically c4ecked 0or corrosion (or o7idation) and reti54tened+ includin5
t4e 5roundin5 ca*les to t4e 6e4icle=s 0ra)e and en5ine *lock' C'((' o pre6ent corrosion+ coat t4e ter)inals and
e7posed )etal parts' Please see "ection A'. 0or )ore in0or)ation on corrosion' C'(,' Re)o6e t4e parallel *attery and
rest all t4e s3itc4es and *reakers+ i0 required' C'(A' est t4e ne3 *attery *y startin5 your en5ine or 3it4 an electrical
load' "o)e 6e4icles are 4a6e *attery electrolyte le6el sensors' For oyota and Nissan+ use
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t4e sensor *ypass in0or)ation at 4ttp1GG333'e7ide'co)GproductsGtransGnaG*atteryYcareG toyotaYnissan'pd0 and 0or
9a>da use 4ttp1GG333'e7ide'co)GproductsGtransGnaG *atteryYcareGtoyotaYnissan'pd0' A 5ood source o0 in0or)ation 0or
)easurin5 )a7i)u) ca*le and connector 6olta5e drops can *e 0ound at E7ide=s Carin5 For Your Battery /ire si>in5
and ca*le len5t4s are 6ery i)portant *ecause 3irin5 t4at is not lar5e enou54 or di00erent len5t4s 3ill cause e7cessi6e
6olta5e loss and underc4ar5ed *atteries or+ in so)e cases+ a 0ire' Batteries connected in parallel s4ould 4a6e t4e
sa)e ca*le len5t4s and si>e 0ro) t4e c4ar5in5 or disc4ar5in5 source' !se o0 *uss *ars are 4i54ly reco))ended 0or
lar5er deep cycle *attery installations' A 5ood source o0 in0or)ation o0 3ire si>in5 can *e 0ound at
4ttp1GG333'solare7pert'co)GP4oto3irin5'4t)l' !sin5 properly si>ed 0uses or circuit *reakers is also 6ery i)portant
*ecause t4ey can pro6ide protection 0or t4e 3irin5 0ro) o6er 4eatin5 and 0or t4e electrical appliances' "eries+ parallel+
and series2parallel *attery connection 3irin5 dia5ra)s can *e 0ound in "ection B'A',' Connections 3ill need to *e
periodically reti54tened' A 5ood source o0 in0or)ation on )easurin5 0or )a7i)u) 6olta5e drops can *e 0ound at
E7ide=s Carin5 For Your Battery' $nsure t4ere is adequate 6entilation 0or t4e *atteries so t4e 5as can dissipate 34ile
rec4ar5in5 and t4e *atteries can stay cooler' $n ot4er 3ords+ do N% use sealed *attery *o7es+ e6en 3it4 sealed Hel
Cell or AH9 8RLA *atteries' "o)e *atteries 3ill require up to A- Fpreconditionin5F cycles *e0ore t4ey 3ill produce t4eir
rated capacity' 4is is *ecause t4e acid needs to 0ully penetrate t4e pores o0 t4e ne3ly 0or)ed plates' RRRPre6ious
?Eo)e@ ?op@ Ne7tOOO
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Car and Deep Cycle Battery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) "ection J
J' E%/ D% $ CEARHE (%R EQ!AL$NE) 9Y BAERYL
Last !pdated on %cto*er ,&+ ,--. $NDES1 J'(' /4at Are t4e Four "ta5es o0 Battery C4ar5in5L C4ar5in5 Al5orit4)s
J',' Additional /ords o0 Caution J'A' Battery C4ar5er ypes J'A'(' 8e4icle C4ar5in5 "yste) J'A',' 9anual Constant
Current C4ar5er Current C4ar5in5 a*le J'A'A' 9anual Constant 8olta5e C4ar5in5 Constant 8olta5e C4ar5in5 a*le
Constant 8olta5e C4ar5in5 e)perature Co)pensation a*le J'A'.' 9anual a)per Current C4ar5er J'A'&'
Auto)atic Constant 8olta5e or aper C4ar5er J'A':' F")artF 9icroprocessor Controller C4ar5er J'A'B' Float C4ar5er
and Battery 9aintainer J'A'C' rickle C4ar5er J'A'J' Ei54 Rate Fast+ Boost or "tartin5 Assist C4ar5er J'.' Eo3 Lon5
Does $t ake to Rec4ar5e a Hood BatteryL
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J'&' Eo3 Do $ #no3 /4en 9y Battery $s Fully C4ar5edL J':' Eo3 Do $ #no3 $0 9y Battery $s %6erc4ar5edL J'B'
Battery C4ar5er Buyin5 ips J'C' $s %pportunity C4ar5in5 /ort434ileL J'J' $s Hassin5 Hood For a /et BatteryL J'(-'
/4at is t4e Di00erence Bet3een a Con6erter and a C4ar5erL J'((' /4at Are C4ar5e Controllers or 8olta5e
Re5ulatorsL J'(,' Eo3 Lon5 /ill a Deep Cycle Battery Last %n a "in5le C4ar5eL J'(A' Eo3 Can $ Reduce
Rec4ar5in5 i)eL J'(.' Eo3 Can $ Ad;ust t4e "peci0ic Hra6ityL J'(' /4at Are t4e Four "ta5es o0 Battery C4ar5in5L
4ree sta5es22*ulk+ a*sorption and 0loat are nor)ally used 0or 3et car and )oti6e deep cycle *atteries 3it4 an optional
equali>in5 sta5e' 4ree sta5es2*ulk+ a*sorption and 0loat are nor)ally used 0or 8RLA (5el cell and AH9) car and
)oti6e deep cycle *atteries' 4ree sta5es22*ulk+ 0loat and equali>ation are nor)ally used 0or 3et stationary deep cycle
*atteries and t3o sta5e22*ulk and 0loat are nor)ally used 0or 8RLA stationary deep cycle *atteries 3it4 an optional
equali>ation sta5e is so)e cases' J'('(' 4e B!L# sta5e is 34ere t4e c4ar5er current is constant and t4e *attery
6olta5e increases+ 34ic4 is nor)ally durin5 t4e 0irst C-P o0 t4e rec4ar5e' You can 5i6e t4e *attery 34ate6er current it
3ill accept as lon5 as it does not e7ceed ,&P o0 t4e ,- 4our (e7pressed FCG,-F) a)pere 4our (A4) or (-P o0 t4e RC
ratin5 and 3et *atteries do 5et o6er (,&D F (&('&D C) and 8RLA *atteries do not 5et o6er (--D F (AB'CD C)' J'(',' 4e
AB"%RP$%N sta5e is 34ere t4e c4ar5er 6olta5e+ dependin5 on t4e *attery type+ is constant *et3een (.'( 8DC and
(.'C 8DC at C-D F (,:'BD C) and t4e current decreases until t4e *attery is 0ully c4ar5ed+ 34ic4 is typically t4e last ,-P
o0 t4e rec4ar5e' For 3et *atteries+ 5assin5 usually starts at C-P to
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J-P o0 a 0ull c4ar5e' A 0ull c4ar5e nor)ally occurs 34en t4e c4ar5in5 current drops o00 to ,P (CG&-) or less o0 t4e A4
capacity o0 t4e *attery and eac4 cell o0 a 3et *attery is )oderately 5assin5 equally' For e7a)ple+ end current 0or a &-
A4 (CG,-) *attery is appro7i)ately ('- a)p ((--- )illia)ps) or less' $0 t4e *attery 3ill not F4oldF a c4ar5e+ t4e current
does not drop a0ter t4e esti)ated rec4ar5e ti)e+ and a 3et *attery is 4ot (a*o6e (,&D F (&('&D C))+ t4en t4e *attery
)ay 4a6e so)e per)anent sul0ation' Please re0er to "ection (: 0or )ore in0or)ation a*out sul0ation and 4o3 to
re)o6e it' 3o sta5e c4ar5ers nor)ally 4a6e t4e *ulk and a*sorption sta5es' J'('A' 4e optional FL%A sta5e is
34ere t4e c4ar5e 6olta5e+ dependin5 on t4e *attery type+ is reduced to *et3een (A'- 8DC and (A'C 8DC at C-D F
(,:'BD C)+ 4eld constant' $t can *e used inde0initely to )aintain a 0ully c4ar5ed *attery to o6erco)e t4e natural sel02
disc4ar5e o0 t4e *attery' 4e current is reduced to appro7i)ately (P (CG(--) or less' 4ree sta5e c4ar5ers usually
4a6e t4e *ulk+ a*sorption and 0loat sta5es' Please re0er to "ection (A 0or )ore in0or)ation a*out storin5 *atteries and
0loat c4ar5in5' 4ree sta5e c4ar5ers usually 4a6e t4e *ulk+ a*sorption and 0loat sta5es' J'('.' 4e optional
EQ!AL$N$NH sta5e is a controlled &P to (-P a*sorption o6erc4ar5e to equali>e and *alance t4e 6olta5e and speci0ic
5ra6ity in eac4 cell' Equali>in5 re6erses t4e *uild2up o0 t4e c4e)ical e00ects like strati0ication 34ere acid concentration
is 5reater in t4e *otto) o0 t4e *attery' $t also 4elps re)o6e sul0ate crystals t4at )i54t 4a6e *uilt up on t4e sur0ace or in
t4e pours o0 t4e plates' 4e reco))ended 0requency 6aries *y )oti6e deep cycle *attery )anu0acturers 0ro) once a
)ont4 to once a year' For stationary deep cycle *atteries+ so)e s4ort daily (A- )inutes or less) equali>ations 4a6e
pro6en to *e *ene0icial and not require t4e lon5er equali>ation cycles' 4ey are not as 4ard on a 3et *attery *ecause
t4ey do not produce as )uc4 5as or 4eat t4e *attery' You s4ould equali>e 3et *atteries 34en one or )ore o0 t4e
0ollo3in5 occur1
q
/4ere t4e te)perature co)pensated "peci0ic Hra6ity readin5 di00erence *et3een cells is '-A- (or A- FpointsF) or
5reater /4ere t4e te)perature co)pensated "peci0ic Hra6ity readin5 di00erence o0 a cell is '-(- (or (- FpointsF) or
)ore *elo3 t4e readin5 0or a 0ully c4ar5ed cell 34en t4e *attery is 0ully c4ar5ed /4en one cell requires )ore 3ater
t4an all t4e ot4er cells /4en one cell does not require as )uc4 3ater as all o0 t4e ot4er
q
q
q
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cells "o)e 8RLA AH9 *atteries+ like Concorde+ can *e equali>ed under certain conditions+ *ut care0ully 0ollo3 t4e
*attery )anu0acturer=s reco))ended procedures or you 3ill da)a5e t4e *attery' o equali>e+ c4eck t4at t4e
electrolyte is co6erin5 t4e plates in eac4 cell and 0ully rec4ar5e t4e *attery' 4en increase t4e c4ar5in5 6olta5e to t4e
*attery )anu0acturer=s reco))endation+ or i0 not a6aila*le+ add &P to (-P to t4e a*sorption c4ar5in5 6olta5e' Eea6y
5assin5 s4ould start occurrin5 in eac4 cell' Do not allo3 t4e 3et *attery to 5et a*o6e (,&D F (&('&D C) or a 8RLA
*attery a*o6e (--D F (AB'CD C)' ake "peci0ic Hra6ity readin5s in eac4 cell once per 4our' "top equali>in5 34en t4e
"peci0ic Hra6ity 6alues no lon5er rise durin5 t4e 5assin5 p4ase and 34en e6ery cell is 5assin5 e6enly' $nsure t4at t4e
plates are co6ered 3it4 electrolyte at all ti)es+ and add distilled+ deioni>ed or de)inerali>ed 3ater i0 required+ *ut do
not o6er0ill' %nly equali>e i0 t4e *attery )anu0acturer reco))ends it' Four sta5e c4ar5ers typically 4a6e t4e *ulk+
a*sorption+ 0loat and equali>ation sta5es' An e7cellent and easy to understand tutorial on *attery c4ar5in5 *asics can
*e 0ound at 4ttp1GG333'*atterytender'co)G' 4e 0ollo3in5 5rap4s are e7a)ples o0 c4ar5in5 al5orit4)s used *y Deltran
?Battery ender@ 0or po3er sport+ car and deep cycle *atteries1 /et "tandard ("*G"*)
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/et Lo3 9aintenance ("*GCa)
0ile1GGGHIGPDF=sGBatteriesGcar0aqJ'4t) (& o0 ,:).G,.G,--C J1&A1A, P9
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/et 9aintenance Free (CaGCa)
0ile1GGGHIGPDF=sGBatteriesGcar0aqJ'4t) (: o0 ,:).G,.G,--C J1&A1A, P9
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8RLA A*sor*ed Hlass 9at (AH9)
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8RLA Hel Cell
0ile1GGGHIGPDF=sGBatteriesGcar0aqJ'4t) (C o0 ,:).G,.G,--C J1&A1A, P9
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?"ource1 Deltran@ $t is e7tre)ely i)portant to use t4e *attery )anu0acturer=s reco))ended c4ar5in5 6olta5e and
procedures 34ene6er possi*le 0or opti)u) *attery capacity+ )aintenance and ser6ice li0e' A 5ood rule2o02t4u)* is not
to use a c4ar5er (or c4ar5in5 settin5) 0or *atteries t4at is 5reater t4an ,&P o0 t4e AE (CG,-) capacity or (-P o0 t4e RC
ratin5 o0 t4e *attery or *atteries *ein5 c4ar5ed' For e7a)ple+ i0 t4e *attery 4as RC o0 (-- )inutes+ do not use c4ar5er
t4at 3ill e7ceed (- a)ps' 4e e7ception is 34en you are c4ar5in5 a lar5e AH9 deep cycle *attery *ank' Due o0 t4e
acceptance rate o0 t4e AH9 *atteries a lar5er alternator to AAP o0 t4e capacity o0 t4e *attery *ank *ein5 c4ar5ed can
*e used' !sin5 a s)aller alternator+ unless te)perature protected+ )i54t *urn up' ?*ack to $nde7@
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J',' Additional /ords o0 Caution and C4ar5in5 ips1 J','(' Eelp pre6ent *lindness and al3ays 3ear 5lasses 34en
3orkin5 around a car or deep cycle *attery in t4e unlikely e6ent t4at it )i54t e7plode' J',',' !se t4e *attery
)anu0acturer=s c4ar5in5 reco))endations and 6olta5es 34ene6er possi*le 0or opti)u) capacity+ )aintenance and
ser6ice li0e' 9ACE t4e c4ar5er (or c4ar5er=s settin5) 0or t4e *attery type you are rec4ar5in5 (or )aintainin5) and
insure t4e c4ar5in5 6olta5es are co)pati*le' E7cept 0or 8RLA Hel Cells+ a s)all o6erc4ar5e is *etter t4an an
underc4ar5e' J','A' Lead2acid *atteries s4ould al3ays *e rec4ar5ed 3it4in ,. 4ours a0ter t4ey 4a6e *een used and
t4e sooner t4e *etter' Be0ore rec4ar5in5+ c4eck t4e electrolyte and insure t4at it is not 0ro>en and t4at it co6ers t4e
plates at all ti)es to pre6ent sul0ation and to reduce t4e possi*ility o0 an internal e7plosion' J','.' A0ter rec4ar5in5+
rec4eck t4e electrolyte le6els a0ter t4e *attery 4as cooled+ top o00 3it4 distilled+ deioni>ed or de)inerali>ed 3ater as
required+ *ut do not o6er 0ill' (Please re0er to "ection A'(' 0or )ore in0or)ation a*out 0illin5 *atteries') J','&' Reinstall
t4e 6ent caps *e0ore rec4ar5in5 and rec4ar5e %NLY in 3ell6entilated areas' $nsure t4e 6ent caps are not clo55ed' Do
N% e7pose leadacid *atteries to a lit ci5arette+ sparks or 0la)es *ecause t4ey produce 0la))a*le 5asses and could
e7plode' J',':' Follo3 t4e *attery and c4ar5er )anu0acturers= procedures 0or connectin5 and disconnectin5 ca*les'
%perate in a )anner to )ini)i>e t4e possi*ility o0 an e7plosion or incorrectly c4ar5e t4e *attery' You s4ould turn t4e
c4ar5er %FF *e0ore connectin5 or disconnectin5 ca*les to a *attery' Do not 3i55le t4e ca*le cla)ps 34ile t4e *attery
is rec4ar5in5+ *ecause a spark )i54t cause an e7plosion' Hood 6entilation or a 0an is reco))ended to disperse t4e
5as created *y t4e rec4ar5in5 process 0or 3et *atteries' As a sa0ety 0eature+ so)e c4ar5ers are desi5ned not operate
unless t4e *attery 4as a partial c4ar5e' J','B' $0 a 3et *attery *eco)es 4ot+ o6er (,&D F (&('&D C)+ or i0 it 6iolently
5asses or spe3s electrolyte+ turn t4e c4ar5er o00 te)porarily or reduce t4e c4ar5in5 rate' 4is 3ill also pre6ent
Ft4er)al runa3ayF t4at can occur 3it4 8RLA (AH9 or Hel Cell) *atteries i0 t4e *attery te)perature is o6er (--DF (AB'CD
C)' $0 an air cooled alternator *eco)es too 4ot durin5 t4e *ulk c4ar5in5 p4ase+ stop
0ile1GGGHIGPDF=sGBatteriesGcar0aqJ'4t) ((- o0 ,:).G,.G,--C J1&A1A, P9
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and let it cool do3n or use an alternator te)perature sensin5 6olta5e re5ulator+ like a Bal)er or a 3ater cooled
alternator+ Bosc4 0or e7a)ple' J','C' $nsure t4at c4ar5in5 t4e *attery 3it4 an e7ternal c4ar5er 3ill not da)a5e t4e
electrical syste) or appliances 3it4 4i54 6olta5es' $0 t4is is e6en a re)ote possi*ility+ t4en disconnect t4e 5rounded
*attery ca*le 0ro) t4e *attery *e0ore connectin5 t4e c4ar5er' J','J' $0 you are rec4ar5in5 Hel Cell *atteries+ t4e *attery
)anu0acturer=s c4ar5in5 6olta5es are 6ery critical' You )i54t need special c4ar5in5 equip)ent' $n )ost cases+
standard deep cycle c4ar5ers used to rec4ar5e 3et *atteries cannot *e used to properly rec4ar5e Hel Cell or AH9
*atteries *ecause o0 t4eir 4i54er 6olta5es or c4ar5in5 pro0iles' %6erc4ar5in5 Hel Cell and AH9 *atteries 3ill
si5ni0icantly s4orten *attery ser6ice li0e or cause Ft4er)al runa3ayF i0 t4e *attery te)perature is o6er (--DF (AB'CD C)'
J','(-' $0 a *attery is o6erc4ar5ed 3it4 a )anual or de0ecti6e c4ar5er and all t4e electrolyte is F*oiledF out+ so)e
*atteries can cause a F$RE or produce DEADLY C% (Car*on 9ono7ide) or ot4er 5asses' J','((' Routinely ti54ten
ca*les connections' J','(,' Ne6er disconnect a car *attery ca*le 0ro) a 6e4icle 3it4 t4e en5ine runnin5+ *ecause t4e
*attery acts like a 0ilter 0or t4e electrical syste)' !n0iltered (pulsatin5 DC) electricity so)eti)es e7ceedin5 .- 6olts and
can da)a5e e7pensi6e electronic and electrical co)ponents suc4 as e)issions co)puter+ audio syste)+ c4ar5in5
syste)+ alar) syste)+ etc' J','(A' Alternators are not desi5ned to rec4ar5e dead (or 0lat) *atteries and t4e stator can
*e *urned or diodes 5o *ad i0 used in t4at )anner' J','(.' /et *attery 5assin5 usually starts at C-P to J-P o0 a 0ull
c4ar5e' A 0ull c4ar5e nor)ally occurs 34en t4e c4ar5in5 current drops o00 *elo3 ,P (CG&-) o0 t4e AE capacity and t4e
*attery is )oderately 5assin5' For e7a)ple+ t4e end current 0or a 5ood &- AE (CG,-) *attery is appro7i)ately ('- a)p
((--- )illia)ps) or less dependin5 on t4e type' J','(&' Do not rec4ar5e *atteries 3it4 cracked or leakin5 *attery
cases' J','(:' Do not rec4ar5e 0ro>en *atteries' Allo3 t4e) to t4a3 out 0irst' ?*ack to $nde7@
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J'A' Battery C4ar5er ypes J'A'(' 8e4icle C4ar5in5 "yste) A 6e4icle c4ar5in5 syste) is )ade up o0 t4ree
co)ponents+ an alternator (or DC 5enerator)+ 6olta5e re5ulator and a *attery' !sually 34en a 6e4icle is ;u)p started+ it
is N% dri6en lon5 enou54 to 0ully rec4ar5e t4e *attery' 4e len5t4 o0 ti)e to 0ully rec4ar5e t4e *attery depends on t4e
a)ount o0 disc4ar5e+ t4e a)ount o0 surplus current t4at is di6erted to t4e *attery+ 4o3 lon5 t4e en5ine is run+ en5ine
speed+ and a)*ient te)perature' An alternator is si>ed *y t4e 6e4icle )anu0acturer to carry t4e )a7i)u) accessory
load and to )aintain a *attery and N% to rec4ar5e a dead *attery' For e7a)ple+ i0 A-- a)ps 3ere consu)ed 0or t3o
seconds to start a car 0ro) a 0ully c4ar5ed *attery+ it 3ill take an C- a)p c4ar5in5 syste) appro7i)ately (C seconds to
replace t4e po3er used' $0 ,& a)ps are a6aila*le to rec4ar5e t4e *attery+ it 3ill take :- seconds and .- )inutes at one
a)p' /it4 a dead (,- )inute RC *attery+ it 3ould take appro7i)ately .& )inutes at C- a)ps+ ,'. 4ours at ,& a)ps+ or
:- 4ours at one a)p to o*tain a J-P "tate2o02C4ar5e ("oC)' 9ore in0or)ation can *e 0ound in Dan Landiss= Car
Batteries Are Not (, 8olts on 4ttp1GG333'landiss'co)G*attery'4t) 0or )ore in0or)ation a*out 6e4icle c4ar5in5 syste)s'
"o)e *attery e7perts *elie6e t4at so)e 6e4icle c4ar5in5 syste)s unc4ar5e startin5 *atteries and t4at t4e *atteries
s4ould *e periodically rec4ar5ed 3it4 an AC po3ered *attery c4ar5er to opti)i>e t4eir ser6ice li0e *y re)o6in5
accu)ulated lead2sul0ate' $0 you 4a6e added a0ter2)arket li54ts+ 3inc4es+ audio a)pli0iers+ t3o3ay radios or ot4er 4i54
po3ered accessories to your 6e4icle and en5a5e in stop2and25o dri6in5+ t4e 6e4icle=s c4ar5in5 syste) )i54t not
produce enou54 current or 6olta5e to keep your *attery 0ully c4ar5ed' You )i54t need to increase t4e capacity o0 t4e
c4ar5in5 syste)' $0 you are also rec4ar5in5 deep cycle *attery *anks+ please see t4e caution in "ection J','B' a*o6e'
$deally t4e co)*ined load o0 all t4e accessories s4ould *e less t4an B&P o0 t4e c4ar5in5 syste)=s )a7i)u) output+ so
t4at at least ,&P is a6aila*le to rec4ar5e t4e *attery' 8EE$CLE CEARH$NH 8%LAHE
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?"ource1 Bosc4@ !nless t4e c4ar5in5 syste) or c4ar5er 4as ad;usta*le 6olta5e settin5s+ t4ere is no one syste) t4at
can rec4ar5e all *attery types' For e7a)ple+ i0 t4e a*sorption c4ar5e 6olta5e is set 0or a Lo3 9aintenance ("*GCa) or
AH9 *attery at (.'. 8DC+ t4e syste) 3ould underc4ar5e )ost 3et "tandard ("*G"*) or 3et F9aintenance FreeF
(CaGCa) and o6erc4ar5e so)e Hel Cell startin5 *atteries' "o)e c4ar5ers are equipped 3it4 an electronic s3itc4 t4at
senses *attery 6olta5e at so)e predeter)ined le6el *e0ore t4e c4ar5er 3ill operate' For deeply disc4ar5ed *atteries+
t4is 5i6es t4e appearance t4at t4ey can not *e rec4ar5ed' Please see t4e c4ar5er )anu0acturer=s operator )anual 0or
instructions on 4o3 to o6erride t4is Fso0t startF 0eature' A 5ood c4ar5er used on a c4eap *attery is )uc4 *etter t4an a
*ad c4ar5er used on a 5ood *attery' ?*ack to $nde7@ J'A',' 9anual Constant Current C4ar5er A )anual constant
current c4ar5er c4ar5ers t4e *attery at a constant current rate and t4e *attery 6olta5e 3ill increase as t4e "tate2o02
C4ar5e rises' $0 you use an e7ternal constant current c4ar5er+ set it to deli6er
0ile1GGGHIGPDF=sGBatteriesGcar0aqJ'4t) ((A o0 ,:).G,.G,--C J1&A1A, P9
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N% )ore t4an t4e lessor o0 (P o0 t4e CCA+ (,P o0 t4e RC ratin5+ or ,&P o0 t4e CG,- rated AE Capacity o0 t4e 3et
*attery and also care0ully )onitor t4e current 0lo3in5 into t4e *attery' C2rate is a )easure)ent o0 t4e c4ar5e or
disc4ar5e o0 *attery o6erti)e' $t is e7pressed as t4e Capacity o0 t4e *attery di6ided *y t4e nu)*er o0 4ours to rec4ar5e
or disc4ar5e t4e *attery' For e7a)ple+ a .C a)p 4our *attery 3ould 4a6e a c4ar5in5 or disc4ar5in5 rate o0 .'C a)ps
0or ten 4ours' /it4 )anual c4ar5ers+ you need to deter)ine 4o3 )any a)p 4ours 4a6e to *e replaced and deter)ine
t4e a)ount o0 c4ar5in5 ti)e *ased on t4e constant current output o0 your c4ar5er' 9anual constant current c4ar5ers
3ill o6erc4ar5e a *attery i0 not turned o00 34en t4e *attery is 0ully c4ar5ed' "o)e constant current c4ar5ers 4a6e a
ti)er t4at can turn o00 t4e c4ar5er 3ill 4elp pre6ent it 0ro) o6erc4ar5in5 t4e *attery' 4ese types o0 c4ar5ers are not
reco))end to rec4ar5e a 8RLA *attery *ecause t4e a*sorption 6olta5es are critical+ especially 0or 5el cell *atteries'
For 0ully disc4ar5ed 3et *atteries+ t4e 0ollo3in5 ta*le lists t4e reco))ended *attery c4ar5in5 rates and ti)es usin5 a
constant current c4ar5er1 C%N"AN C!RREN CEARH$NH Reser6e Capacity (RC) Ratin5 C- 9inutes or less ?A,
a)pere 4ours or less@ C- to (,& 9inutes ?A, to &- a)pere 4ours@ (,& to (B- 9inutes ?&- to :C a)pere 4ours@ (B- to
,&- 9inutes ?:C to (-- a)pere 4ours@ A*o6e ,&- 9inutes ?o6er (-- a)pere 4ours@ "lo3 C4ar5e (REC%99ENDED)
(& Eours ] A a)ps Fast C4ar5e & Eours ] (- a)ps
,( Eours ] . a)ps B'& Eours ] (- a)ps ,, Eours ] & a)ps (- Eours ] (- a)ps ,A Eours ] : a)ps B'& Eours
] ,- a)ps ,. Eours ] (- a)ps ?"ource1 BC$@ : Eours ] .- a)ps
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?*ack to $nde7@ J'A'A' 9anual Constant 8olta5e C4ar5er A )anual t3o sta5e (*ulk and a*sorption) constant 6olta5e
c4ar5er applies a re5ulated 6olta5e to t4e *attery at a constant le6el durin5 t4e a*sorption sta5e' 4e current drops to
*elo3 ,P (CG&-) o0 t4e *attery=s capacity 34en it approac4es (--P "tate2o02C4ar5e' 4e reco))ended c4ar5in5
)et4od usin5 a constant 6olta5e c4ar5er is to slo3ly rec4ar5e t4e *attery usin5 a c4ar5er si>ed to rec4ar5e t4e *attery
o6er a ten24our period (CG(-)' o pre6ent da)a5e to a 0ully disc4ar5ed *attery+ t4e current s4ould *e less t4an (P o0
t4e CCA (Cold Crankin5 A)ps) ratin5 durin5 t4e 0irst A- )inutes o0 c4ar5e' 4e c4ar5er (or DC po3er supply) s4ould
*e ad;usted to t4e *attery )anu0acturer=s a*sorption 6olta5e reco))endations or+ i0 not a6aila*le+ to typical c4ar5in5
6olta5e ran5es in t4e ta*le *elo3 3it4 t4e electrolyte at C-D F (,:'BD C) or te)perature co)pensate+ i0 required'
9anual constant 6olta5e c4ar5ers can o6erc4ar5e and da)a5e a *attery i0 not turned o00 34en t4e *attery is 0ully
c4ar5ed' BAERY CEARH$NH 8%LAHE" Battery ype Ca[Calciu) "*[Anti)ony /et "tandard ("*G"*) Deep
Cycle /et Lo3 9aintenance ("*GCa) /et 9aintenance Free (CaGCa) AH9 8RLA C4ar5in5 8olta5e (.'&2(.'C (.'.2
(.': (.'C (.'.2(.'C Float 8olta5e (A'-2(A', (A'(2(A', (A'(2(A'. (A',2(A'C Equali>in5 8olta5e (&'.2(:'- (&'(2(:'.
(&'&2(:'A
Hel Cell 8RLA
(.'(2(.'.
Not Applica*le in )ost cases (A',2(A'C Not Applica*le
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9ost 6e4icle c4ar5in5 syste)s are te)perature co)pensatin5K 4o3e6er+ i0 t4e e7ternal c4ar5er is N% te)perature
co)pensatin5+ you s4ould ad;ust t4e c4ar5in5 6olta5e 0ro) t4e ta*le *elo3 to correct 0or t4e te)perature o0 t4e
*attery' For e7a)ple+ i0 t4e electrolyte te)perature is ,-D F (2:'BD C)+ t4en increase t4e c4ar5in5 6olta5e to (&'BCC
6olts 0or a /et Lo3 9aintenance ("*GCa) *attery i0 t4e nor)al c4ar5in5 6olta5e is (.': at C- D F' $0 (--D F (.A'AD C)+
t4en decrease t4e c4ar5in5 6olta5e to (.',-. 6olts 0or t4e sa)e *attery' CEARH$NH 8%LAHE E9PERA!RE
C%9PEN"A$%N Electrolyte e)perature De5rees Fa4ren4eit (:-D (&-D (.-D (A-D (,-D ((-D (--D J-D C-D B-D :-D
&-D .-D A-D ,-D (-D -D Electrolyte e)perature De5rees Celsius B('(D :&':D :-'-D &.'.D .C'JD .A'AD AB'CD A,',D ,:'BD
,('(D (&':D (-D .'.D 2('(D 2:'BD 2(,',D 2(B'CD Add or "u*tract to C4ar5er=s %utput 8olta5e (A)6G de5ree FGcell) 2('&C
2('AJ 2('(J 2'JJ 2'BJ 2'&J 2'&- 2',- - Q',- Q'.- Q'&J Q'BJ Q'JJ Q('(J Q('AJ Q('&C
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?*ack to $nde7@ J'A'.' 9anual aper Current C4ar5er 4e taper current c4ar5ers and 4a6e no controlled current and
6olta5e and are dependent upon t4e internal resistance o0 t4e *attery' 4e current starts 4i54 and ta)pers o00 as t4e
6olta5e increases 34en t4e *attery approac4es (--P "tate2o02C4ar5e ("oC)' /it4 a taper c4ar5er+ a 4i54 current (up
to CG,)+ can *e only applied to non2sealed 3et *atteries 0or A- )inutes )a7i)u) or until t4e *attery 4eats up to (,&D F
(&('BD C)' 4e current is t4en re5ulated do3n3ard *y t4e *attery until t4e c4ar5e state reac4es (--P 34ere it is at a
)ini)u)' A *etter approac4 to rec4ar5e t4e *attery 3it4 a ta)per c4ar5er is to si>e t4e c4ar5er to rec4ar5e t4e
*attery o6er a )ini)u) o0 a ten24our period (CG(-)' 4is tec4nique allo3s t4e acid )ore ti)e to penetrate t4e plates
and t4ere is less )ec4anical stress on t4e plates' 9anual taper current c4ar5ers can o6erc4ar5e a *attery i0 not turned
o00 34en t4e *attery is 0ully c4ar5ed and is not reco))end to rec4ar5e 8RLA *atteries' ?*ack to $nde7@ J'A'&'
Auto)atic Constant 8olta5e or aper (Ferroresonant) C4ar5er 4e ne7t step up is an Fauto)aticF t3o sta5e (*ulk and
a*sorption) c4ar5er t4at 3ill stop c4ar5in5 34en t4e *attery 4as a 0ull c4ar5e *y turnin5 itsel0 o00 at so)e
predeter)ined current or 6olta5e cut2o00 point' $0 t4e *attery )anu0acturer=s reco))ended a*sorption 6olta5e are used+
t4ere is less c4ance o0 o6erc4ar5in5 a *attery t4an 3it4 a )anual c4ar5er' A (-2a)p auto)atic startin5 *attery
c4ar5er 3ill cost appro7i)ately T&- (!") and is suita*le 0or )ost si)ple non25el cell 8RLA car *attery rec4ar5in5
c4ar5in5 applications 3it4 *attery capacities up to (-- a)p 4ours (CG,-) or ,&- )inutes o0 RC' $0 le0t connected+ 34en
t4e 6olta5e drops to predeter)ined point (nor)ally J-P2J&P "oC) due to sel02disc4ar5e+ so)e *etter auto)atic
c4ar5ers 3ill turn itsel0 *ack on and rec4ar5e t4e *attery' Better quality auto)atic c4ar5ers 3ill also include
te)perature co)pensation+ 34ic4 is critical i0 rec4ar5in5 occurs in te)peratures ot4er t4an C-D F (,:'BD C)+ do not
produce sparks i0 t4e polarity o0 t4e cla)ps are re6ersed+ and 3ill 4elp pre6ent 8RLA *attery Ft4er)al runa3ayF'
0ile1GGGHIGPDF=sGBatteriesGcar0aqJ'4t) ((B o0 ,:).G,.G,--C J1&A1A, P9
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?*ack to $nde7@ J'A':' F")artF 9icroprocessor2Controlled C4ar5er 4e *est c4ar5ers 0or 3et and so)e AH9 car and
)oti6e deep cycle *atteries are 0our2sta5e Fs)artF )icroprocessor2controlled te)perature co)pensatin5 c4ar5ers'
4ey 3ill auto)atically s3itc4 *et3een *ulk+ a*sorption+ 0loat+ and equali>in5 c4ar5in5 and so)e 4a6e ad;usta*le
6olta5e set points or s3itc4es 0or t4e di00erent 3et *attery types and auto)atic te)perature co)pensation' 4e *est
c4ar5ers 0or Hel Cell or AH9 car *atteries are a less e7pensi6e t4ree2sta5e te)perature co)pensatin5 6ersions t4at
4a6e *ulk+ a*sorption and 0loat c4ar5in5 capa*ility (or settin5s) especially desi5ned 0or t4ese types o0 *atteries' 4ey
3ill also 4elp pre6ent 8RLA *attery Ft4er)al runa3ayF' /4en continuously connected+ t4e )icroprocessor *ased
Fs)artF c4ar5ers can continuously c4ar5e a startin5 *attery to keep it 0ully c4ar5ed inde0initely' "o)e one to t4ree2a)p
t4ree2sta5e 6ersions cost less t4an T:- (!")' 4ey are ideal 0or 0or Lo3 9aintenance ("*GCa) and so)e "tandard
("*G"*) and AH9 deep cycle *atteries to B& A4 (CG,-) or (CC )inutes o0 RC t4at are used once per 3eek or less'
Hood e7a)ples are 0or po3er sport 6e4icles (A8s+ Met skis+ )otorcycles+ sno3)o*iles+ etc')+ R8s+ cara6ans+ 0ar)
and la3n tractors+ and antique 6e4icles' ?*ack to $nde7@ J'A'B' Float C4ar5er and Battery 9aintainer $0 you already 4a6e
a ta)per or t3o sta5e constant current or 6olta5e c4ar5er+ a 6olta5e2re5ulated F0loatF c4ar5er or *attery )aintainer
cost less t4an TA- (!") can *e continuously used a0ter a startin5 *attery 4as *een 0ully c4ar5ed' 4is 3ill )aintain it at
a (--P "tate2o02C4ar5e 3it4 a CG(-- rate to o00set t4e *attery=s internal sel02disc4ar5e' ?*ack to $nde7@ J'A'C' rickle
C4ar5er rickle c4ar5er is typically a c4eap+ unre5ulated 6olta5e (CG(--) c4ar5er used to )aintain a startin5 *attery
a0ter it 4as *een 0ully c4ar5ed
0ile1GGGHIGPDF=sGBatteriesGcar0aqJ'4t) ((C o0 ,:).G,.G,--C J1&A1A, P9
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typically costin5 less t4an T,-' Do N% use t4ese types o0 c4ar5ers *ecause t4ey can easily o6erc4ar5e and destroy
your *attery *y F*oilin5F t4e electrolyte out and dry2up t4e *attery' ?*ack to $nde7@ J'A'J' Ei54 Rate Fast+ Boost or
"tartin5 Assist C4ar5er Ei54 rate 0ast+ *oost or startin5 assist c4ar5ers (or settin5s) are 4i54 rate c4ar5ers t4at are
desi5ned to pro6ide 4i54 current to 0or up to (& seconds to start your en5ine 34en t4e *attery is disc4ar5ed' 4ese
types o0 c4ar5ers (or settin5s) to rec4ar5e your *attery are N% REC%99ENDED *ecause t4ey can easily
o6erc4ar5e and destroy it 3it4 t4e e7cessi6e current or 6olta5e' $0 you use use one+ please do it 3it4 e7tre)e caution
and ad4ere to t4e c4ar5er )anu0acturer=s reco))ended procedures' Eyperlinks to *attery c4ar5ers+ Fs)artF c4ar5ers+
0loat c4ar5ers and *attery )aintainers can *e 0ound in t4e Battery Re0erences and $n0or)ation Links List at
4ttp1GG333'*attery0aq'or5' Please re)e)*er to )atc4 t4e c4ar5er to t4e *attery )anu0acturer=s reco))ended
c4ar5in5 6olta5es 0or t4at type o0 *attery or )atc4 t4e *atteries to t4e c4ar5er capa*ility' 4e *etter t4e )atc4+ t4e
lon5er t4e ser6ice li0e and )ore capacity t4e *attery 3ill 4a6e' ?*ack to $nde7@ J'.' Eo3 Lon5 Does $t ake o
Rec4ar5e a Hood BatteryL /4en a *attery is disc4ar5ed+ t4e sa)e a)ount o0 po3er 4as to *e replaced' Eo3e6er+
so)e o0 t4e po3er is con6erted to 4eat and lost due to t4e resistance in t4e ca*les+ connectors and ele)ents 3it4in
t4e *attery' For )ost startin5 *atteries t4at are disc4ar5ed less t4an (-P o0 t4eir 0ull capacity+ an esti)ate o0 ti)e is
t3ice t4e a)p 4ours to *e replaced di6ided *y J-P t4e current output o0 t4e c4ar5er' For e7a)ple+ a .- a)p 4our
*attery 3it4 a &P disc4ar5e 3ould require appro7i)ately , a)p 4ours to *e replaced' !sin5 & a)p c4ar5er+ it 3ould
take appro7i)ately &A )inutes (.G('J7&)) to rec4ar5e t4e *attery' A (- a)p c4ar5er 3ould take appro7i)ately 4al0 t4e
ti)e or ,B )inutes' A .- a)p 4our *attery 3it4 a J&P disc4ar5e 3ould require appro7i)ately AC a)p 4ours to *e
replaced' !sin5 & a)p c4ar5er+ it 3ould take appro7i)ately (B 4ours rec4ar5e t4e *attery' A (- a)p c4ar5er 3ould
0ile1GGGHIGPDF=sGBatteriesGcar0aqJ'4t) ((J o0 ,:).G,.G,--C J1&A1A, P9
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take appro7i)ately 4al0 t4e ti)e or C'& 4ours' ?*ack to $nde7@ J'&' Eo3 Do $ #no3 /4en 9y Battery $s Fully C4ar5edL
$n descendin5 order o0 accuracy+ one o0 t4e 0ollo3in5 t4ree )et4ods is nor)ally used to deter)ine i0 a *attery is 0ully
c4ar5ed' A0ter t4e *attery 4as cooled to roo) te)perature+ rec4eck t4e electrolyte le6els' 4e plates )ust *e co6ered
at all ti)es to pre6ent an internal e7plosion or sul0ation' J'&'(' Accordin5 to $EEE .&-2,--, Anne7 B Reco))ended
Practice+ F4e pattern o0 c4ar5in5 current deli6ered *y a con6entional 6olta5e2re5ulated c4ar5er a0ter a disc4ar5e is
t4e )ost accurate )et4od 0or deter)inin5 state o0 c4ar5e' As t4e cells approac4 0ull c4ar5e+ t4e *attery 6olta5e rises
to approac4 t4e c4ar5er output 6olta5e+ and t4e c4ar5in5 current decreases' /4en t4e c4ar5in5 current 4as sta*ili>ed
at t4e c4ar5in5 6olta5e+ t4e *attery is c4ar5ed+ e6en t4ou54 speci0ic 5ra6ities 4a6e not sta*ili>ed'F $t s4ould *e less
t4an t3o percent o0 t4e capacity (CG&-) o0 t4e *attery' For t4e a6era5e si>ed car *attery (BC$ Hroup ,.)+ t4at 3ould *e
less t4an t3o a)ps' /it4 non2sealed 3et *atteries+ you 3ill also see t4e cells 5assin5 0reely and e6enly' J'&','
Re)o6e t4e sur0ace c4ar5e *y one o0 t4e )et4ods in "ection .'A'+ )easure t4e cells 3it4 a 4ydro)eter+ te)perature
co)pensate+ and co)pare t4e a6era5e o0 t4e readin5s 3it4 t4e *attery=s )anu0acturer=s "peci0ic Hra6ity de0inition o0 a
cell in a 0ully c4ar5ed *attery' J'&'A' Re)o6e t4e sur0ace c4ar5e+ )easure t4e %pen Circuit 8olta5e (%C8) 3it4 an
accurate ('&P or *etter) di5ital 6olt)eter across t4e ter)inals+ te)perature co)pensate+ and co)pare t4e readin5 3it4
t4e *attery=s )anu0acturer=s %C8 de0inition o0 a 0ully c4ar5ed *attery' $0 t4e *attery 3ill not F4oldF a c4ar5e+ t4e
c4ar5in5 current does not drop *elo3 ,P (CG&-)+ and t4e *attery ;ust 5ets 3ar) or 4ot+ t4en it )i54t 4a6e so)e
per)anent sul0ation' Please re0er to "ection (: 0or )ore in0or)ation a*out sul0ation and 4o3 to re)o6e it' ?*ack to
$nde7@ J':' Eo3 Do $ #no3 $0 9y Battery $s %6erc4ar5edL
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Nor)ally+ o6erc4ar5in5 3ill consu)e )ore 3ater 0or 0ro) a 3et *attery t4an nor)al and t4e electrolyte le6els 3ill *e
lo3' %t4er si5ns o0 o6erc4ar5in5 are a Frotten e55F oder+ 6iolent 5assin5+ spe3in5 o0 electrolyte+ *lack Ftide2)arksF on
t4e inside 3alls o0 t4e cells+ or *lack deposits on t4e *otto)s o0 t4e 0iller caps' %t4er si5ns o0 o6erc4ar5in5 are lu)py
*ro3n sedi)ent or )uddy red or *ro3n electrolyte' ?*ack to $nde7@ J'B' Battery C4ar5er Buyin5 ips 4e 0ollo3in5 are
so)e tips 0or consu)ers on *uyin5 *attery c4ar5ers car and deep cycle lead2acid *atteries' Please see "ection B'( 0or
de0initions o0 t4e *attery types' An e7cellent and easy to understand tutorial on Battery C4ar5in5 Basics can *e 0ound
at 4ttp1GG333'*atterytender'co)G' J'B'(' Al3ays 3ear 5lasses 34en 3orkin5 around a *attery in t4e unlikely e6ent t4at
it )i54t e7plode' J'B',' 9ACE t4e c4ar5er=s output 6olta5es to t4e *attery type and )anu0acturer=s reco))ended
a*sorption+ 0loat and equali>ation (i0 required) c4ar5in5 6olta5e require)ents' A )is)atc4 can easily o6erc4ar5e or
underc4ar5e t4e *attery' "o)e c4ar5er )anu0acturers state t4at t4eir c4ar5er to a*le to rec4ar5e all or )ost *attery
types' 4ere are di00erences in t4e c4ar5in5 6olta5es and pro0iles 0or eac4 *attery type+ so one c4ar5er settin5 can
N% possi*ly 0it all types o0 *atteries *ecause o0 t4e di00erences in plate c4e)istries and alloys used' $0 t4e
docu)entation t4at ca)e 3it4 t4e *attery or c4ar5er or t4e )anu0acturer=s /e* site does not state 6olta5es+ contact
one o0 t4eir Custo)er "er6ice representati6es and ask' $0 you do not c4ar5e your *atteries at C- de5rees F (,:'B
de5rees C)+ te)perature co)pensation needs to occur on t4e c4ar5in5 6olta5es to properly rec4ar5e t4e *attery' A
recent study 4as s4o3n t4at cell equali>ation 3ill si5ni0icantly increase t4e li0e o0 3et (or 0looded) "tandard ("*G"*)+
Lo3 9aintenance ("*GCa)+ 9aintenance Free (CaGCa) *atteries+ *ut is N% reco))ended 0or )ost AH9 or Hel Cell
*atteries' J'B'A' "i>e t4e c4ar5er *ased on t4e disc4ar5e a)ount and 4o3 0ast you need to use t4e *atteries a5ain'
"lo3 rec4ar5in5 is reco))ended+ so c4ar5ers t4at are si>ed (-P o0 t4e capacity o0 3et+ AH9 or Hel Cell *atteries
s4ould *e used' Fast or F*oostF c4ar5in5 *atteries can kill *atteries *ecause t4ey can 3arp t4e *attery=s plates' Do not
e7ceed t4e *attery )anu0acturer=s c4ar5in5 current or
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6olta5e li)itations' For )ost car *atteries+ a c4ar5er output o0 si7 a)ps or less s4ould *e su00icient and 0or )otorcycle
and po3er sports *atteries+ t3o a)ps or less' J'B'.' Deter)ine special 0eatures you 3ant+ 0or e7a)ple+ Fauto)atic s4ut
o00F (t3o sta5e)+ Fs)artF )icroprocessor controlled+ auto)atic te)perature co)pensation+ Fso0t startF+ porta*ility+
3aterproo0in5+ indicators+ a))eter+ lead re6ersal protection+ s4ort circuit protection+ 4i54 te)perature protection+ etc'
J'B'&' Deter)ine t4e total cost o0 o3ners4ip' "4oppin5 on t4e $nternet *y usin5 searc4 en5ines+ like
4ttp1GG333'5oo5le'co) or 4ttp1GG333'ya4oo'co) to 0ind t4e *est prices' A c4ar5er as a lon5 ter) in6est)ent and a
5ood c4ar5er used on a c4eap *attery is )uc4 *etter t4an a *ad c4ar5er used on a 5ood *attery' J'B':' $0 you 4a6e
t3o sta5e c4ar5er+ use a 0loat c4ar5er (or *attery )aintainer)' A0ter you 4a6e 0ully c4ar5ed your *attery 3it4 a t3o
sta5e c4ar5er or t4e 6e4icle=s c4ar5in5 syste)+ you can continuously )aintain t4e 0ull c4ar5e 3it4 a 6olta5e re5ulated+
one24al0 to t3o a)p 0loat c4ar5er )atc4ed to your *attery type 34ile t4e *attery is not *ein5 used' 4is 3ill pre6ent
sul0ation 0ro) occurrin5 34ile t4e *attery is not *ein5 used' C4eap+ unre5ulated FtrickleF c4ar5ers can o6erc4ar5e and
destroy your *attery' ?*ack to $nde7@ J'C' $s %pportunity C4ar5in5 /ort434ileL %pportunity c4ar5in5 is rec4ar5in5 in
*et3een t4e nor)al daily c4ar5in5 cycle' An e7a)ple is a electric 0ork li0t truck *ein5 rec4ar5ed 34en not in use durin5
t4e 3orkday and durin5 )eal *reaks' "o)e e7perts 3ill ar5ue t4at a deep cycle *attery s4ould *e si>ed so t4at t4e
a6era5e Dept42o02Disc4ar5e (DoD) s4ould not 0all *elo3 &-P (or C-P dependin5 o0 t4e plate c4e)istry) and t4e
*attery s4ould *e c4ar5ed only once per day' %t4er e7perts 3ill ar5ue t4at opportunity c4ar5in5 si5ni0icants lo3ers t4e
a6era5e DoD and causes )ultiple+ s4allo3 cycles per day+ 34ic4 is *etter t4at a 4i54er a6era5e DoD and one deep
cycle 3it4 a lo3er a6era5e DoD' 4e ans3er to t4is question pro*a*ly lies so)e34ere in t4e )iddle' You 3ill need to
co)pare t4e e00ects o0 lo3er a6era5e DoD and )ultiple cycles 6s' 5reater DoD and one cycle usin5 t4e *attery
)anu0acturer=s data to deter)ine t4e *reak e6en point' Henerally+ opportunity c4ar5in5 is 5ood+ especially 34en t4e
a6era5e DoD is *elo3 &-P and you can 0ully rec4ar5e *attery at least once durin5 a
0ile1GGGHIGPDF=sGBatteriesGcar0aqJ'4t) (,, o0 ,:).G,.G,--C J1&A1A, P9
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,. 4our period' ?*ack to $nde7@ J'J' $s Hassin5 Hood For a /et BatteryL /4en a 3et (,26olt lead2acid *attery reac4es
appro7i)ately (A'C 8DC at C-D F (,:'BD C) durin5 a c4ar5e+ it 3ill start to 5as and is a nor)al part o0 t4e c4ar5in5
process' Hassin5 is t4e electrolysis o0 3ater into t3o parts Eydro5en 5as and one part %7y5en 5as' 4e 5as *u**les
5i6en o00 *y t4e plates 3ill 4elp to )i7 t4e electrolyte as t4ey rise to t4e sur0ace' 4is 3ill 4elp to pre6ent electrolyte
strati0ication' Electrolyte strati0ication is acid concentration t4at is 5reater at t4e *otto) o0 a *attery t4an at t4e top+
especially 3it4in lar5er *atteries' Nor)al c4ar5in5 s4ould produce )oderate a)ount o0 e6en 5assin5 o0 all cells+ 34ic4
is 5ood' %6erc4ar5in5 a *attery or rapidly c4ar5in5 3it4 4i54 6olta5e 3ill produce 4ea6y 5assin5+ 4eat+ consu)e
e7cessi6e quantities o0 3ater+ accelerate positi6e 5rid corrosion+ 3arp t4e plates+ and is N% reco))ended'
8entilation is required 0or all lead2acid *atteries and 5ood 6entilation is )andatory 0or 3et *atteries to dissipate t4e
e7plosi6e 5asses produced durin5 c4ar5in5' ?*ack to $nde7@ J'(-' /4at is t4e Di00erence Bet3een a Con6erter and a
C4ar5erL An AC2DC Con6erter (or AC2DC Po3er "upply) is used to con6ert (,- or ,.- 8AC po3er to 0iltered (, to
(A'C 6olt DC po3er to run DC appliances 34ile connected to Fs4ore po3erF instead o0 runnin5 on *attery po3er'
Con6erters are nor)ally 6olta5e re5ulated to pro6ide a constant supply o0 DC po3er' A )anual *attery c4ar5er is
desi5ned to rec4ar5e a *attery and typically produces 4i54er 6olta5es' An auto)atic or Fs)artF *attery c4ar5er is
desi5ned to stop c4ar5in5 34en a preset current is ac4ie6ed or produce di00erent 6olta5es+ dependin5 on 34ic4
c4ar5in5 cycle it is in' Battery c4ar5ers typically do not 4a6e t4e de5ree o0 0ilterin5 t4at a con6erter 4as' ?*ack to $nde7@
J'((' /4at Are C4ar5e Controllers or 8olta5e Re5ulatorsL C4ar5e controllers and 6olta5e re5ulators are de6ices used
to control t4e
0ile1GGGHIGPDF=sGBatteriesGcar0aqJ'4t) (,A o0 ,:).G,.G,--C J1&A1A, P9
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le6el or le6els+ in t4e case o0 t4ree and 0our sta5e units+ o0 DC 6olta5e 0ro) a source o0 po3er to t4e *attery or
*atteries' ypically c4ar5e controllers are used to control t4e output o0 solar panels and 6olta5e re5ulators 0or DC
5enerators or alternators' ?*ack to $nde7@ J'(,' Eo3 Lon5 /ill a Deep Cycle Battery Last %n a "in5le C4ar5eL
Disc4ar5in5+ like c4ar5in5+ depends on a nu)*er o0 0actors suc4 as t4e initial "tate2o02C4ar5e+ a6era5e Dept42o02
Disc4ar5e+ condition and capacity o0 t4e *attery+ load and te)perature' o deter)ine t4e a)ount o0 disc4ar5e ti)e ()
0or a 0ully c4ar5ed *attery at C-D F (,:'BD C)+ t4e si)ple 0or)ula is a)pere4our ratin5 (C) di6ided *y t4e a6era5e load
in a)ps ($) or [CG$ is o0ten used' "o+ (--2a)pere 4our *attery 3it4 an a6era5e &2a)p load s4ould last appro7i)ately
,- 4ours ((--G&)' 4e total nu)*er o0 a)ps t4at are produced 34en a *attery is disc4ar5ed o6er a ,- 4our (CG,-)
period is t4e )ost co))only used speci0ication 0or e7pressin5 t4e capacity o0 deep cycle *atteries used in )ost R8
and 9arine applicationsK 4o3e6er+ si7 4our (CG:)0or Hol0 Carts or ei54t 4our (CGC) rates 0or R8G9arine *atteries )i54t
*e )ore realistic' For e7a)ple+ i0 deep cycle *attery=s capacity is rated at (-- a)pere 4ours (A4) at t4e ,- 4our (CG,-)
rate+ 3ill produce appro7i)ately CA A4 at t4e ei54t 4our (CGC) rate+ :A A4 in t3o 4ours (CG,)+ and && A4 in one 4our
(CG()' 4is is due to t4e Peukert E00ect' /4en you increase t4e disc4ar5e rate+ t4e less po3er is produced' Hood
e7a)ples o0 t4e Peukert E00ect on deep cycle *attery capacities at 6arious disc4ar5e rates can *e 0ound at 4ttp1GG333'
us*attery'co)GspecsA'4t)' 4e actual 0or)ula is [CG$N 34ere N is t4e Peukert Nu)*er used 0or t4e speci0ic *attery
to )ore accurately calculate t4e disc4ar5e ti)e' 4e Nu)*er 5enerally is in a ran5e o0 ('-& to ('.+ 3it4 ('-& t4e *est
per0or)in5 *attery due to less internal resistance' A Peukert Nu)*er calculator and so)e speci0ic e7a)ples o0
*atteries can *e 0ound on E6e=s Battery Pa5e at 4ttp1GG333'5eocities'co)GCapeCana6eralGLa*GC:BJG*attery' 4t)l'
Repeatedly disc4ar5in5 a deep cycle *attery *elo3 (,'- 6olts or s4allo3 disc4ar5es o0 less t4an (-P 3ill si5ni0icantly
reduce t4e nu)*er o0 li0e cycles' Please see t4e 5rap4 on a6era5e Dept42o02Disc4ar5e in "ection (('A' Ne3 *atteries
o0ten require a precondition or F*reak2inF period o0 up to A- cycles
0ile1GGGHIGPDF=sGBatteriesGcar0aqJ'4t) (,. o0 ,:).G,.G,--C J1&A1A, P9
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*e0ore t4ey 3ill produce t4eir rated a)pere 4our capacity' 4e capacity is reduced o6er ti)e as t4e acti6e )aterial
0lakes (s4eds) o00 t4e plates and so)e o0 t4e pours 0ill 3it4 4ard sul0ate' ?*ack to $nde7@ J'(A' Eo3 Can $ Reduce
Rec4ar5in5 i)eL o reduce t4e a)ount o0 ti)e t4at your c4ar5in5 syste) is runnin5+ only rec4ar5e t4e *attery to
J-P "tate2o02C4ar5e le6el at an a)p 4our rate not e7ceedin5 t4e nu)*er o0 a)p 4ours t4at need to *e replaced or
CG. (,&P o0 t4e AE Capacity)+ 34ic4e6er is less' For e7a)ple+ i0 you 4a6e consu)ed &- a)p 4ours 0ro) a (-- a)p
4our *attery+ t4en you do not 3ant to rec4ar5e it at rate any 5reater t4an ,& a)ps in one 4our' At a ,& a)p c4ar5in5
rate+ it s4ould take appro7i)ately t3o 4ours to 5et to a J-P "tate2o02C4ar5e' Please note t4at it 3ill take al)ost t4e
sa)e a)ount o0 ti)e+ at a reduced current+ to rec4ar5e t4e *attery t4e re)ainin5 (-P to *rin5 it to (--P "tate2o02
C4ar5e as it took to rec4ar5e it ori5inally 0ro) t4e &-P to t4e J-P le6el' $0 you rec4ar5e to t4e J-P "tate2o02C4ar5e
le6el+ you s4ould rec4ar5e to (--P at least e6ery (-t4 cycle' !sin5 AH9 *atteries also 3ill reduce t4e a)ount o0
rec4ar5in5 ti)e *ecause t4ey 4a6e a 4i54er acceptance rate t4an 3et lead2acid *atteries' Please see "ection B'. 0or
)ore in0or)ation' ?*ack to $nde7@ J'(.' Eo3 Can $ Ad;ust t4e "peci0ic Hra6ityL Battery )anu0acturers set t4e
concentration o0 t4e sul0uric acid in t4e electrolyte o0 a 0ully c4ar5ed 3et *attery to opti)i>e t4e capacity+ ser6ice li0e+
3ater consu)ption+ use in 0loat applications+ 4i54 disc4ar5e rate capa*ility+ *attery si>e and sel0 disc4ar5e rate' /4en
t4e "peci0ic Hra6ity is increased on purpose or *y additi6es+ t4e 0ollo3in5 occurs1 capacity+ ser6ice li0e+ 3ater
consu)ption+ 4i54 disc4ar5e rate capa*ility+ and sel0 disc4ar5e rate all increase and use in 0loat applications and
*attery si>e decrease' /4en you decrease t4e "peci0ic Hra6ity+ t4e reser6es occurs' You )i54t ask 34y increasin5 t4e
"peci0ic Hra6ity on 3et startin5 and )oti6e deep cycle *atteries is not a 5ood t4in5L 4e ans3er is t4at it also
accelerates t4e corrosion o0 t4e positi6e plate 5rids and connectin5 straps and you could
0ile1GGGHIGPDF=sGBatteriesGcar0aqJ'4t) (,& o0 ,:).G,.G,--C J1&A1A, P9
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4a6e a pre)ature *attery 0ailureK t4us e00ectin5 o6erall ser6ice li0e+ *ut clearly t4ere )i54t *e so)e s4ort ter)ed 5ains
at t4e e7pense o0 increased 3aterin5 and ser6ice li0e' Nor)ally+ unless t4ere is a spill+ *attery acid s4ould ne6er *e
added to a *attery' $0 t4e te)perature co)pensated "peci0ic Hra6ity readin5 needs to *e increased in a cell 0or
34ate6er reason+ re)o6e a s)all a)ount o0 so)e t4e e7istin5 electrolyte and replace it 3it4 0res4 *attery acid 3it4 a
('A-- "peci0ic Hra6ity' Repeat t4e process until t4e cell )atc4es t4e "peci0ic Hra6ity readin5s o0 t4e rest o0 t4e cells
or+ i0 t4e *attery is 0ully c4ar5ed+ t4e )anu0acturer=s te)perature co)pensated reco))ended 6alue 0or a 0ully c4ar5ed
cell' $0 t4e te)perature co)pensated "peci0ic Hra6ity readin5 needs to *e decreased in a cell 0or 34ate6er reason+
re)o6e a s)all a)ount o0 so)e t4e e7istin5 electrolyte and replace it 3it4 distilled+ deioni>ed or de)inerali>ed 3ater'
Repeat t4e process until t4e cell )atc4es t4e "peci0ic Hra6ity readin5s o0 t4e rest o0 t4e cells or+ i0 t4e *attery is 0ully
c4ar5ed+ t4e )anu0acturer=s te)perature co)pensated reco))ended 6alue 0or a 0ully c4ar5ed cell' "o)e typical
"peci0ic Hra6ity readin5s at C-D F (,:'BD C) 0or 0ull c4ar5ed cells are1
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('A--2('A(- 0or 3et )oti6e deep cycle *atteries 3it4 tu*ular positi6e plates (',:B2(',C. 0or 3et )oti6e Deep Cycle
*atteries 3it4 solid lead positi6e plates (',:-2(',B- 0or 3et "tartin5 *atteries 3it4 pasted plates (',(&2(',&- 0or 3et
stationary Deep Cycle *atteries 3it4 solid lead positi6e plates ?*ack to $nde7@ RRRPre6ious ?Eo)e@ ?op@ Ne7tOOO
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Car and Deep Cycle Battery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) "ection (-
(-' /EA CA!"E" 9Y BAERY % DRA$N %8ERN$HEL
Last !pdated on %cto*er ,A+ ,--. Parasitic (or i5nition key o00) drain is t4e cu)ulati6e load produced *y electrical
de6ices+ 0or e7a)ple+ e)issions co)puters+ clocks+ security alar)s+ radio presets+ etc'+ t4at operate continuously a0ter
t4e en5ine is stopped and t4e i5nition key 4as *een s3itc4ed o00' Nor)al parasitic loads are *elo3 B& )illia)ps ('-B&
a)ps)' /4en t4e parasitic load is 5reater t4an B& )illia)ps ('-B& a)ps)+ *atteries 3ill drain )ore quickly' Hlo6e *o7+
trunk+ and under 4ood li54ts t4at do not auto)atically turn o00 34en t4e door is closed or s4orted diodes in alternators
are t4e )ost co))on o00enders' Coolin5 0ans+ po3er seat *elt retractors+ radios and do)e li54ts le0t on+ alar)
syste)s+ and electric car antennas 4a6e also caused *atteries to drain o6erni54t' Lea6in5 your 4eadli54ts on 3ill
5enerally disc4ar5e a 0ully c4ar5ed car *attery+ 3it4 J- )inutes o0 Reser6e Capacity (A: a)p 4ours)+ 3it4in a couple
o0 4ours' $t is 4i54ly reco))ended+ especially i0 you are usin5 a sealed 3et 9aintenance Free (CaGCa) *attery+ allo3
to t4a3 i0 0ro>en+ 0ully rec4ar5e it 3it4 an e7ternal *attery c4ar5er+ re)o6e t4e sur0ace c4ar5e+ and load tested *ot4 t4e
*attery and t4e c4ar5in5 syste) 0or latent da)a5e 0ro) t4e deep disc4ar5e(s)' You could 4a6e a *ad *attery' $0 t4e
alternator is 3ar) and t4e en5ine is cold+ t4en c4eck 0or a s4orted diode in t4e alternator' Belo3 are so)e )et4ods
t4at are used to test t4e parasitic load 3it4 t4e en5ine N% runnin5+ under 4ood li54t disconnected+ all accessories
s3itc4ed o00+ and t4e 6e4icle doors closed1
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First+ connect a (,26olt *ul* across t4e positi6e and ne5ati6e *attery ter)inals to test t4e *ul* and t4e *attery' $0 it
5lo3s *ri54tly+ t4en re)o6e t4e ne5ati6e *attery ca*le and connect t4e *ul* in series *et3een t4e ne5ati6e *attery
ca*le ter)inal cla)p and t4e ne5ati6e *attery ter)inal' $0 t4e *ul* continues to 5lo3 *ri54tly+ t4en start re)o6in5 0uses
or connections to t4e positi6e *attery post one2at2a2ti)e until t4e o00endin5 electrical co)ponent is identi0ied *y t4e
*ul* di))in5' A *etter approac4 is to use a DC a))eter+ 0or e7a)ple a Fluke (B&+ inserted in series 3it4 t4e ne5ati6e
*attery ca*le ter)inal cla)p and t4e ne5ati6e *attery ter)inal or a cla)p2on DC a))eter+ like a Fluke AA: or i.(-
around t4e ne5ati6e *attery
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0ile1GGGHIGPDF=sGBatteriesGcar0aq(-'4t) (( o0 ,).G,.G,--C J1&A1A, P9
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Car and Deep Cycle Battery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) "ection (-
ca*le' "tartin5 3it4 t4e 4i54est scale+ deter)ine t4e current load' $0 t4e load is a*o6e B& )illia)ps ('-B& a)ps) a0ter
t4e initial sur5e+ t4en start re)o6in5 0uses or connections to t4e positi6e *attery post one2at2a2ti)e until t4e o00endin5
electrical co)ponent is identi0ied *y t4e parasitic load droppin5 to 3it4in B& )illia)ps ('B& a)ps)'
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Additional trou*les4ootin5 tec4niques can *e 0ound in a 5uide 0ro) E7ide at
4ttp1GG333'e7ide'co)GproductsGtransGnaG*atteryYcareG electricalYparasiticYload'pd0' RRRPre6ious ?Eo)e@ ?op@ Ne7tOOO
0ile1GGGHIGPDF=sGBatteriesGcar0aq(-'4t) (, o0 ,).G,.G,--C J1&A1A, P9
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Car and Deep Cycle Battery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) "ection ((
((' CAN $ $NCREA"E EE L$FE %F 9Y BAERYL
Last !pdated on No6e)*er (+ ,--. 4e typical o6erall li0e o0 a 5ood quality+ 3ell )aintained and properly c4ar5ed
*attery is1 ESPECED BAERY "ER8$CE L$FE Pasted Plate Car (used as a Deep Cycle) Pasted Plate Car Pasted
Plate 9arineG R8 "olid Plate Hol0 Cart Hel Cell 8RLA AH9 8RLA Ni2Cad Calciu) eleco))unications ("tationary)
Fork Li0t (9oti6e) 9anc4e7 $ndustrial (9oti6e) /et "tandard ("*G"*) $ndustrial ("tationary) Ni2Fe - to (, )ont4s . to &
years to . years to : years to C years to C years to (- years to (- years to (- years to (& years to ,- years to ,- years
Eere are so)e tips to increase car or deep cycle *attery ser6ice li0e1 (('(' Protect your car *attery 0ro) 4i54 under
4ood te)peratures 3it4 a 4eat s4ield or case+ keepin5 it 0ull c4ar5ed at all ti)es+ and 3ell )aintained are t4e easiest
3ays to e7tend it=s li0e' $n 4ot cli)ates and durin5 t4e su))er+ t4e electrolyte le6els need to *e c4ecked )ore
0requently' $n a study conducted *y t4e "ociety o0 Auto)oti6e En5ineers ("AE)+ t4e under 4ood te)perature 4as
increased )ore t4an A-P since (JC&' C4rysler studies 4a6e s4o3n t4at relocatin5 t4e *attery outside t4e en5ine
co)part)ent 4as increased t4e a6era5e %E9 *attery li0e *y ei54t )ont4s'
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Relocatin5 t4e startin5 *attery to t4e trunk or passen5er co)part)ent+ as 9a>da did in t4eir 9iata a nu)*er o0 years
a5o+ is *eco)in5 )ore popular *y t4e car )anu0acturers to protect t4e startin5 *attery 0ro) t4e 4i54 under 4ood
te)peratures' Eo3e6er+ use sealed 8RLA AH9 or Hel Cell type *atteries *ecause t4ey nor)ally do not produce 5as
34en rec4ar5ed or 3et *atteries 6ented to t4e outside' $0 a 5el cell is installed as a startin5 *attery *ecause t4e
c4ar5in5 syste) 6olta5es are 6ery critical and )ay need to *e lo3ered to keep 0ro) o6erc4ar5in5 t4e *attery' For
)oti6e and stationary deep cycle *atteries+ te)perature is equally as i)portant 0or e7tendin5 t4e ser6ice li0e o0 t4e
*attery or *attery *ank' Co))on sense and c4e)ical intuition su55est t4at t4e 4i54er t4e te)perature+ t4e 0aster a
5i6en c4e)ical reaction 3ill proceed' Quantitati6ely t4is relations4ip *et3een t4e rate a c4e)ical reaction proceeds
and its te)perature is deter)ined *y t4e Arr4enius equation' Battery li0e+ due to positi6e 5rid corrosion+ is reduced *y
&-P 0or e6ery (CD F ((-D C)rise in a)*ient te)perature o6er B-D F (,('(D C)' ((',' Periodically c4eck t4e "tate2o02
C4ar5e o0 car *atteries' Based on your dri6in5 4a*its+ so)e 6e4icle c4ar5in5 syste)s underc4ar5e t4e *attery causin5
an accu)ulation o0 Lead sul0ate kno3n as sul0ation' 4is sul0ation reduces t4e capacity o0 t4e *attery' $0 t4e *attery is
not 0ully c4ar5ed+ rec4ar5e it periodically 3it4 an e7ternal *attery c4ar5es )atc4ed to t4e *attery type' Please see
"ection J 0or )ore in0or)ation on c4ar5in5 and c4ar5ers and "ection (: 0or )ore in0or)ation on sul0ation' $n addition
to te)perature+ car *attery li0e and t4e nu)*er o0 c4ar5e and disc4ar5e cycles is dra)atically in0luenced *y t4e
a6era5e "tate2o02C4ar5e ("oC) as re0lected in t4e 0ollo3in5 5rap41 Car Battery Li0e
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?"ource1 Ad6erc Battery 9ana5e)ent@ $0 possi*le+ rec4ar5e a deep cycle *attery eac4 day it is used and as soon as
possi*le a0ter eac4 use' 4e *est 3ay to pre6ent per)anent lead sul0ation 34en a startin5 or deep cycle *attery (or
*attery *ank) is not in use+ is to )aintain it=s "tate2o02C4ar5e at (--P *y continuous 0loat c4ar5in5' $0 continuous 0loat
c4ar5in5 is not possi*le+ rec4ar5e *e0ore t4e "tate2o0C4ar5e drops *elo3 C-P' Per)anent sul0ation kills
appro7i)ately C&P o0 all deep cycle and startin5 lead2acid *atteries not in 3eekly ser6ice' Please see "ection (:' 0or
)ore in0or)ation on sul0ation' (('A' Reducin5 t4e a6era5e DoD (Dept42o02Disc4ar5e)+ t4e in6erse o0 "oC+ *y proper
deep cycle *attery si>in5 3ill si5ni0icantly increase a deep cycle *attery li0e' For e7a)ple+ a pasted plate *attery 3it4
an a6era5e o0 &-P DoD 3ill last t3ice as lon5 or )ore as i0 it is 4as an C-P a6era5e DoD' A ,-P DoD a6era5e *attery
can last up to 0i6e ti)es lon5er t4an one 3it4 a &-P DoD a6era5e' Hol0 cart *atteries 3ill typically 4a6e an a6era5e
,,& cycles at C-P DoD and B&- cycles at &-P DoD' Al3ays a6oid DoDs t4at are 5reater t4an C-P' 4e Fs3eet spotF
(opti)u) DoD 0or t4e 5reatest a)ount o0 po3er produced o6er t4e ser6ice li0e) is 5enerally so)e34ere *et3een ,-P
DoD and :-P DoD a6era5e' For t4e AH9 *attery
0ile1GGGHIGPDF=sGBatteriesGcar0aq(('4t) (A o0 :).G,.G,--C J1&A1AA P9
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e7a)ple *elo3 t4e Fs3eet spotF is appro7i)ately ,,'&P DoD *ased on t4e 5reatest a)ount o0 po3er produced' AH9
Li0e Cycles 6s' Percent Dept42o02Disc4ar5e (DoD)
?"ource1 Concorde@ (('.' Ne6er disc4ar5e any (,26olt lead acid *attery *elo3 (-'& 6olts' An ad;usta*le lo3 6olta5e
disconnect set 0or an C-P Dept42o02Disc4ar5e (DoD) or less can li)it t4e )a7i)u) DoD and protect t4e *atteries and
electrical appliances' Lea6in5 your li54ts or ot4er accessories on and 0ully disc4ar5in5 a car *attery can ruin it due to
Fcell re6ersalF+ especially i0 it is a sealed+ 3et 9aintenance Free (CaGCa) type' Deep disc4ar5es in 0ree>in5 3eat4er 3ill
cause t4e *attery to 0ree>e and t4e e7pansion o0 t4e electrolyte can da)a5e t4e plates+ separators or e6en crack t4e
*attery case' $0 0ree>in5 s4ould occur+ you s4ould let your *attery t4a3+ p4ysically inspect case 0or leaka5e+ 0ully
rec4ar5e it 3it4 an e7ternal c4ar5er+ re)o6e t4e sur0ace c4ar5e+ and test t4e *attery and c4ar5in5 syste) to
deter)ine i0 t4ere is any latent or per)anent da)a5e to t4e plates+ separators or case' (('&' $n e7tre)ely cold
cli)ates+ keep t4e car *attery continuously 0ully c4ar5ed 34en not in use+ t4e en5ine and *attery 3ar)+ and use lo3
6iscosity synt4etic en5ine oil' AH9 or Ni2Cad *atteries 3ork *etter in su*2>ero te)peratures t4an 3et lead2acid
*atteries'
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((':' $n 4ot cli)ates use t4e F4ot cli)ate or F"out4F 6ersions o0 car *atteries' 4ey 4a6e special plate and connectin5
strap 0or)ulations+ lo3er "peci0ic Hra6ity le6els or increased t4e a)ounts o0 electrolyte to pro6ide )ore Fcoolin5F 0or
lon5er ser6ice li0e' !sin5 non2sealed Lo3 9aintenance ("*GCa) car *atteries is encoura5ed *ecause you can add
3ater' F/aterin5F is required )ore o0ten in 4ot cli)ates and add only distilled+ de)inerali>ed or deioni>ed 3ater or+ in a
e)er5ency+ rain 3ater' 4e plates )ust *e co6ered at all ti)es to pre6ent an internal *attery e7plosion or sul0ation' Do
not o6er0ill+ and keep t4e top o0 t4e *attery clean' Do N% add electrolyte (*attery acid) to a *attery unless so)e
electrolyte 4as spilled' $0 t4e "peci0ic Hra6ity le6els are increased *eyond t4e *attery )anu0acturer=s reco))ended
li)it+ t4ere 3ill *e a 4i54er capacity le6el+ *ut )ore )aintenance and a s4orter ser6ice li0e' Please see "ection J'(. 0or
)ore in0or)ation on ad;ustin5 "peci0ic Hra6ities' (('B' urnin5 o00 all unnecessary accessories+ rear 3indo3 4eater+
cli)ate control+ and li54ts *e0ore startin5 your car 3ill si5ni0icantly decrease t4e load on t4e *attery 34ile crankin5+
especially 34en it is e7tre)ely cold' (('C' Reducin5 t4e parasitic (key2o00) load to *elo3 B& )illia)ps' (('J' $n cold
cli)ates+ increasin5 t4e dia)eter o0 t4e *attery ca*les 3ill reduce t4e 6olta5e loss' (('(-' $0 required+ equali>e 3et and
so)e AH9 *atteries' Please see "ection J' 0or )ore in0or)ation on equali>in5 *atteries' (('((' For 6e4icles not used
3eekly or dri6in5 4a*its t4at cause underc4ar5ed *atteries+ continuously 0loat c4ar5e t4e car *attery or 0ully rec4ar5e it
periodically to re)o6e t4e accu)ulated lead sul0ate' Please see "ection (A 0or )ore in0or)ation on storin5 *atteries
and "ection (: 0or )ore in0or)ation on sul0ation' (('(,' Pro6ide adequate 6entilation' Ei54 a)*ient te)peratures
a*o6e C-D F (or ,:'BD C) 3ill s4orten *attery li0e *ecause it increases positi6e 5rid corrosion+ 5ro3t4 and 8RLA
Ft4er)al runa3ayF' (('(A' Rec4ar5in5 slo3ly usin5 t4e )anu0acturer=s reco))ended te)perature co)pensated
6olta5es and current' (('(.' A6oid s4allo3 (*elo3 (-P) disc4ar5es o0 deep cycle *atteries *ecause lead dio7ide
*uilds up on t4e positi6e plates' $n ot4er 3ords+ you s4ould disc4ar5e a
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deep cycle *attery *et3een (-P and C-P Dept42o02Disc4ar5e' (('(&' !se *atteries 3it4 t4icker pasted or solid plates
and reduce t4e nu)*er o0 disc4ar5e2c4ar5e cycles' (('(:' Apply t4e correct *attery type 0or t4e application+ t4at is+
startin5 0or startin5 applications and deep cycle 0or )oti6e and stationary deep cycle applications' RRRPre6ious ?Eo)e@
?op@ Ne7tOOO
0ile1GGGHIGPDF=sGBatteriesGcar0aq(('4t) (: o0 :).G,.G,--C J1&A1AA P9
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Car and Deep Cycle Battery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) "ection (,
(,' /EA ARE EE C%99%N CA!"E" %F PRE9A!RE BAERY FA$L!RE"L
Last !pdated on No6e)*er (+ ,--. Nor)ally+ pre)ature *attery 0ailures are caused *y one or )ore o0 t4e 0ailures
listed *elo3' Prior to (JC-+ plate or 5rid s4orts 3ere t4e )ost co))on 0ailure' "ince t4en t4e )anu0acturers 4a6e
si5ni0icantly i)pro6ed t4e li0e e7pectancy *y usin5 i)pro6ed separators+ plate alloys to reduce corrosion+ and 4eat
s4ields' By relocatin5 *atteries to t4e passen5er co)part)ent (or trunk)+ also 4as considera*ly decreased pre)ature
*attery 0ailures' Batteries t4at 4a6e *een in use 0or lon5er periods o0 ti)e 3ill typically 0ail 0ro) )ultiple causes' All
*atteries 3ill 0ail at so)e point in ti)e'
?"ource1 $nterstate Batteries@ (,'(' /ater Loss< (Car) and "ul0ation< (0or *atteries not used 3eekly) (,',' /ater Loss<
(Car) and "ul0ation< (0or *atteries not used 3eekly) (,'A' /ater Loss< (Car) and "ul0ation< (0or *atteries not used
3eekly)
0ile1GGGHIGPDF=sGBatteriesGcar0aq(,'4t) (( o0 ,).G,.G,--C J1&A1AA P9
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Car and Deep Cycle Battery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) "ection (,
(,'.' For car *atteries+ 4i54 under 4ood 4eat or o6erc4ar5in5 causes a loss o0 3ater (34ic4 account 0or o6er &-P o0
t4e 0ailures)K accelerated positi6e 5rid corrosion and 5ro3t4K increased sel0 disc4ar5eK or plate2to2strap s4orts' For
)oti6e and stationary deep cycle *atteries+ 4i54 a)*ient te)peratures a*o6e BBD F (,&D C) cause accelerated positi6e
5rid 5ro3t4' (,'&' "ul0ation 0ro) 3ater loss+ underc4ar5in5+ electrolyte strati0ication+ e7cessi6e te)peratures or
prolon5ed periods o0 non2use account 0or appro7i)ately C&P o0 t4e deep cycle and startin5 *attery 0ailures t4at are not
used 3eekly+ 6e4icle c4ar5in5 syste)s *ased on dri6in5 4a*its (s4ort trips 3it4 4i54 loads lea6in5 t4e *attery
constantly underc4ar5ed)' (Please see "ection (: 0or )ore in0or)ation on sul0ation') Data Po3er 9onitorin5 Corp'
reports t4at J-P o0 t4e deep cycle 8RLA *attery 0ailures are due to t4e *attery itsel0' (,':' Deep disc4ar5es+ suc4 as
lea6in5 your li54ts on' (,'B' 9isapplication+ 0or e7a)ple+ usin5 a startin5 *attery in a deep cycle application+ a )oti6e
deep cycle *attery instead o0 a stationary 0or a !P"+ an under si>ed *attery (or *attery *ank) t4at causes disc4ar5es
5reater t4an t4e *attery 3as desi5ned 0or or a )is)atc4 to t4e c4ar5in5 syste)' (,'C' E7cessi6e 6i*ration due to a
loose 4old do3n cla)p' (,'J' Calciu) or )a5nesiu) sul0ation 0ro) usin5 tap or re6erse os)osis 3ater' (,'(-'
Free>in5 a disc4ar5ed *attery' (,'((' !nderc4ar5in5 34ic4 reduces capacity due to inco)plete con6ersion o0 sul0ate
*ack to lead 34ic4 causes plate+ cracked 5rids and cell s4orts' (,'(,' %ld a5e (positi6e plate s4eddin5 o0 acti6e
)aterial)' (,'(A' Fast rec4ar5in5 at rates 5reater t4an CG. (a)p 4our capacityG0our 4ours)' (,'(.' e)peratures a*o6e
C-D F (,:'BD C)+ especially a*o6e (--D F (AB'CD C) durin5 rec4ar5in5' 4is also can cause 8RLA (AH9 and 5el cell)
*attery Ft4er)al runa3ayF' RRRPre6ious ?Eo)e@ ?op@ Ne7tOOO
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Car and Deep Cycle Battery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) "ection (A
(A' E%/ CAN $ "%RE BAER$E"L
Last !pdated on %cto*er ,A+ ,--. $NDES1 (A'(' Eo3 Do $ Pre6ent Per)anent "ul0ationL (A',' "o Eo3 Do $ "tore 9y
BatteryL People kill )ore deep cycle and po3er sport *atteries 3it4 *ad c4ar5in5 and )aintenance practices+ t4an die
o0 old a5e< All lead2acid *atteries are peris4a*le' Durin5 t4e nor)al disc4ar5e process+ so0t lead sul0ate crystals are
0or)ed in t4e pores and on t4e sur0aces o0 t4e positi6e and ne5ati6e plates inside a lead2acid *attery' /4en a *attery
is le0t in a disc4ar5ed condition+ is continually underc4ar5ed+ e7cessi6e te)peratures or t4e electrolyte le6el is *elo3
t4e top o0 t4e plates+ so)e o0 t4e so0t lead sul0ate re2crystalli>e into 4ard lead sul0ate' $t cannot *e recon6erted durin5
su*sequent rec4ar5in5' 4is creation o0 4ard crystals is co))only called per)anent Fsul0ationF' $t is t4e leadin5 cause
and accounts 0or appro7i)ately C&P o0 t4e pre)ature 0ailures o0 lead2acid *atteries not used 3eekly' 4e lon5er
sul0ation occurs+ t4e lar5er and 4arder t4e lead sul0ate crystals *eco)e' 4e positi6e plates 3ill turn a li54t *ro3n and
t4e ne5ati6e plates 3ill *e dull+ o00 34ite' 4ese per)anent crystals lessen a *attery=s capacity and a*ility to *e
rec4ar5ed' Deep cycle *atteries t4at are typically used 0or s4ort periods and t4en are stored 0or lon5 periods 34ere
t4ey slo3ly sel0 disc4ar5e' A car or )otorcycle startin5 *attery t4at is nor)ally used se6eral ti)es a )ont4+ so
per)anent sul0ation rarely *eco)es a pro*le) unless it is unused or stored 0or lon5 periods' /4ile a *attery is in
stora5e or not *ein5 used+ t4e disc4ar5e is a consequence o0 parasitic load or natural sel0 disc4ar5e' Parasitic load is
t4e constant electrical load present on a *attery 34ile it is installed in a 6e4icle e6en 34en t4e i5nition key is turned o00'
4e load is 0ro) t4e continuous operation o0 electrical appliances+ suc4 as an e)issions co)puter+ clock+ security
syste)+ )aintenance o0 radio station presets+ etc' /4ile disconnectin5 t4e ne5ati6e *attery ca*le 3ill eli)inate t4e
parasitic load+ it 4as no a00ect on t4e natural sel0 disc4ar5e o0 *attery' 4us+ per)anent sul0ation can *e a 4u5e
pro*le) 0or lead2acid *atteries 34ile sittin5 0or lon5 periods on a dealer=s s4el0+ in a *ase)ent+ cellar+ *arn or 5ara5e+
or in a parked 6e4icle+ especially in 4ot te)peratures' (A'(' Eo3 Do $ Pre6ent Per)anent "ul0ationL
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4e *est 3ay to pre6ent sul0ation is to keep a lead2acid *attery 0ully c4ar5ed *ecause lead sul0ate is not 0or)ed' 4is
can *e acco)plis4ed t4ree 3ays' Based on t4e *attery type you are usin5+ t4e *est solution is to use a c4ar5er t4at is
capa*le o0 deli6erin5 a continuous+ te)perature co)pensated F0loatF c4ar5e at t4e *attery )anu0acturer=s
reco))ended 0loat or )aintenance 6olta5e 0or a 0ully c4ar5ed *attery' For (,26olt *atteries+ dependin5 on t4e *attery
type+ usually 4a6e 0i7ed 0loat 6olta5es *et3een (A'( 8DC and (A': 8DC+ )easured at C-D F (,:'BD C) 3it4 an accurate
('&P or *etter) di5ital 6olt)eter' (For a si726olt *attery+ )easured 6olta5es are one 4al0 o0 t4ose 0or a (,26olt *attery')
4is can *est *e acco)plis4ed *y continuously c4ar5in5 usin5 a t4ree sta5e 0or 8RLA (AH9 or Hel Cell) *atteries or
0our sta5e 0or 3et *atteries+ Fs)artF )icroprocessor controlled c4ar5er' $0 you already 4a6e a t3o sta5e c4ar5er+ t4en
use a 6olta5ere5ulated F0loatF c4ar5er or *attery F)aintainerF+ set at t4e correct 0loat 6olta5e to F0loatF or )aintain a
0ully c4ar5ed *attery' $0 you need /e* addresses or telep4one nu)*ers o0 t4e c4ar5er )anu0acturers+ please see t4e
C4ar5ers and Float C4ar5ers and Battery 9aintainers sections o0 Battery $n0or)ation Links List' A c4eap+ unre5ulated
FtrickleF or a )anual t3o sta5e c4ar5er can o6erc4ar5e a *attery and destroy it *y dryin5 out t4e electrolyte' A second
and less desira*le )et4od is to periodically rec4ar5e t4e *attery 34en t4e "tate2o02C4ar5e drops to C-P or *elo3'
9aintainin5 a 4i54 "tate2o0C4ar5e tends to pre6ent irre6ersi*le per)anent sul0ation' 4e 0requency o0 rec4ar5in5
depends on t4e parasitic load+ te)perature+ *attery=s condition+ and *attery type' e)perature )atters< Lo3er
te)peratures slo3 do3n electro c4e)ical reactions and 4i54er te)peratures 3ill si5ni0icantly increase t4e)' A *attery
stored at J&D F (A&D C) 3ill sel0 disc4ar5e t3ice as 0ast t4an one stored at B&D F (,A'JD C)' "tandard ("*G"*) *atteries
4a6e a 6ery 4i54 sel02disc4ar5e rateK 34ereas+ AH9 *atteries 4a6e a 6ery slo3 rate' 4ere are trade2o00s *et3een t4e
econo)ics o0 continuous F0loatF c4ar5in5+ 34ere sel0 disc4ar5e and resultin5 sul0ation does not occur+ and periodic
c4ar5in5 3it4 t4e increased potential 0or a s4orter *attery li0e due to per)anent sul0ation' $0 you decide to periodically
rec4ar5in5 t4e *atteries 34ile in stora5e+ increased rec4ar5in5 0requency+ disconnectin5 any parasitic load+ or storin5
t4e) in colder te)peratures 3ill i)pede t4e sel0 disc4ar5e and reduce t4e possi*ility 0or per)anent sul0ation+ *ut 3ill
also reduce t4e total nu)*er o0 li0e cycles'
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A t4ird tec4nique is to use a solar panel desi5ned to F0loatF c4ar5e *atteries' 4is is a popular solution 34en AC po3er
is una6aila*le 0or c4ar5in5' 4e si>e o0 panel requires 3ill depend on t4e a)ount o0 a6aila*le sunli54t and *attery
capacity' Nor)ally a & 3att or lar5er panel is required 0or a car *attery' A c4ar5e controller (6olta5e re5ulator) is
required 34en t4e peak current output o0 t4e panel e7ceeds ('&P o0 t4e capacity o0 t4e *attery' ?*ack to $nde7@ (A','
"o Eo3 Do $ "tore 9y BatteryL Batteries naturally sel0 disc4ar5e (P to :-P per )ont4 (dependin5 on t4e *attery type
and te)perature) 34ile not in use and sul0ation 3ill *e5in occurrin5 34en t4e "tate2o02C4ar5e ("oC) drops *elo3
(--P' Please see "ection (: 0or )ore in0or)ation on sul0ation' Cold 3ill slo3 t4e process do3n and 4eat 3ill increase
it up' "torin5 *atteries under ,&- AE on concrete 0loors 3ill not cause t4e) to naturally sel0 disc4ar5e 0aster' Please
see "ection (.'( 0or )ore in0or)ation on t4is )yt4' Belo3 are si7 si)ple steps 34ile your *atteries are not in use to
protect t4e) 0ro) per)anent sul0ation and pre)ature 0ailure' (A','(' P4ysically inspect 0or leaka5e or da)a5ed cases+
re)o6e any corrosion+ clean and dry t4e tops o0 t4e *atteries to re)o6e possi*le disc4ar5e pat4s 0ro) dried *attery
electrolyte+ and clean t4e ter)inals' $0 t4e *attery is in a 6e4icle+ re)o6e t4e ne5ati6e connection 0ro) t4e *attery to
eli)inate t4e additional parasitic (key o00) disc4ar5e' (A',',' $0 t4e *attery 4as 0iller caps+ c4eck t4e electrolyte (*attery
acid) le6el in eac4 cell' $0 required+ add only distilled+ deioni>ed or de)inerali>ed 3ater to t4e reco))ended le6el+ *ut
do not o6er0ill' (A','A' Fully c4ar5e and equali>e 3et (0looded) *atteries+ i0 required+ usin5 t4e procedures in "ection J
and rec4eck t4e electrolyte le6els 34en t4 *attery cools' (A','.' "tore in a cold dry place+ *ut not so t4at it 3ill 0ree>e+
and 34ere it can *e easily rec4ar5ed' 4e 0ree>in5 point o0 a *attery is deter)ined *y t4e "oC and t4e 4i54er it is+ t4e
lo3er t4e 0ree>in5 te)perature' Please see t4e "tate2o0C4ar5e a*le in "ection .' Based on t4e *attery type you are
usin5+ connect a Fs)artF+ )icroprocessor *ased t4ree sta5e or 0our sta5e c4ar5er or a 6olta5e re5ulated 0loat c4ar5er
to continuously F0loatF c4ar5e your *attery' Do not use a
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c4eap+ unre5ulated FtrickleF c4ar5er or a )anual t3o sta5e c4ar5er 34ic4 3as not desi5ned 0or F0loatF c4ar5in5 or you
3ill o6erc4ar5e your *attery' A less desira*le alternati6e to 0loat c4ar5in5 3ould *e to periodically test t4e "tate2
o0C4ar5e usin5 t4e procedure in "ection .' /4en it is C-P or *elo3+ rec4ar5e usin5 t4e procedures in "ection J' 4e
0requency o0 testin5 and rec4ar5in5 3ill depend on t4e a)*ient stora5e te)perature' FL%A CEARH$NH 8%LAHE
E9PERA!RE $N DEHREE" C (F) ?"ource1 Concorde@ (A','&' Periodically test t4e "tate2o02C4ar5e ("oC) and
ensure t4at t4e electrolyte is at t4e proper le6els' (A',':' /4en you re)o6e t4e *atteries 0ro) stora5e+ c4ar5e and
equali>e+ i0 required+ usin5 t4e *attery )anu0acturer=s reco))ended c4ar5in5 procedures or+ i0 not a6aila*le+ t4e one
in "ection J'
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?*ack to $nde7@ RRRPre6ious ?Eo)e@ ?op@ Ne7tOOO
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Car and Deep Cycle Battery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) "ection (.
(.' /EA ARE EE 9YE" AB%! BAER$E"L
Last !pdated on %cto*er ,&+ ,--. $NDES1 (.'(' "torin5 a *attery on a concrete 0loor 3ill disc4ar5e t4e)' (.','
Dri6in5 a car 3ill 0ully rec4ar5e a *attery' (.'A' A *attery 3ill not e7plode' (.'.' A *attery 3ill not lose its c4ar5e sittin5
in stora5e' (.'&' F9aintenance FreeF (CaGCa) *atteries ne6er require )aintenance' (.':' est t4e alternator *y
disconnectin5 t4e *attery 3it4 t4e en5ine runnin5' (.'B' Pulse c4ar5ers+ desul0ators+ aspirins or additi6es 3ill re6i6e
sul0ated *atteries' (.'C' %n really cold days turn your 4eadli54ts on to F3ar) upF t4e *attery up *e0ore startin5 your
en5ine' (.'J' Car *atteries last lon5er in 4ot cli)ates t4an in cold ones' (.'(-' C4ar5in5 ca*les or ;u)p starters 3ill
start your car' (.'((' A lar5er capacity *attery 3ill da)a5e )y car' (.'(,' Lead2acid *atteries 4a6e )e)ories' (.'(A'
Bad *atteries 3ill not 4ar) t4e c4ar5in5 syste) or starter' (.'(.' %nce 0or)ed+ *atteries 3ill not c4an5e polarity'
(.'(&' !se tap 3ater to re0ill *atteries' (.'(' "torin5 a *attery on a concrete 0loor 3ill disc4ar5e t4e)'
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All lead2acid *atteries 3ill naturally sel0 disc4ar5e 34ic4 can result in loss o0 capacity 0ro) sul0ation' 4e rate o0 sel0
disc4ar5e is )ost in0luenced *y t4e te)perature o0 t4e *attery=s electrolyte and t4e c4e)istry o0 t4e plates' "o)e
e7perts *elie6e t4at storin5 car or deep cycle *atteries on a colder concrete 0loor )i54t actually slo3 do3n t4e sel0
disc4ar5e (leaka5e) rate *ecause t4e 0loor acts as a 4eat sink and cools t4e *attery' (Please see "ection (A 0or )ore
in0or)ation on storin5 *atteries and "ection ( 0or )ore in0or)ation on sul0ation' $n t4e early (J--s+ 34en *attery cases
3ere )ade o0 porous )aterials suc4 as tar2lined 3ood *o7es+ storin5 *atteries on concrete 0loor 3ould accelerate t4eir
natural sel0 disc4ar5e' 9odern *attery cases are )ade o0 polypropylene or 4ard ru**er' 4ese cases are sealed
*etter+ so e7ternal leaka5e2causin5 disc4ar5e is no lon5er a pro*le)+ pro6ided t4e top o0 t4e *attery is clean and 0ree
0ro) 3et or dried electrolyte and t4e sa)e te)perature as t4e 0loor' Lar5e di00erences in te)perature could cause
electrolyte strati0ication 3it4in 6ery lar5e *atteries (O,&- AE) 34ic4 could accelerate it=s internal Fleaka5eF or sel0
disc4ar5e i0 t4e *attery is sittin5 on an e7tre)ely cold concrete+ stone or steel 0loor in a 3ar) roo)+ *oat or su*)arine'
"tirrers or *u**lers are o0ten used on t4ese types o0 lar5e *atteries to keep t4e electrolyte 0ro) strati0yin5'
!nderc4ar5in5 3ill also cause electrolyte strati0ication+ 34ic4 can also result in loss o0 capacity 0ro) sul0ation' ?*ack to
$nde7@ (.',' Dri6in5 a car 3ill 0ully rec4ar5e a *attery' 4ere are a nu)*er o0 0actors a00ectin5 a 6e4icle c4ar5in5
syste)=s a*ility to rec4ar5e a *attery+ suc4 as 4o3 )uc4 po3er and c4ar5in5 6olta5e 0ro) t4e alternator is di6erted to
t4e *attery+ 4o3 lon5 t4e po3er is a6aila*le+ and t4e te)perature' Henerally+ idlin5 t4e en5ine or s4ort stop2and25o
trips durin5 *ad 3eat4er or at ni54t 3ill not 0ully rec4ar5e a car *attery or 3ill lea6e your *attery underc4ar5ed 34ic4
causes sul0ation' /4en a dead *attery needs to *e rec4ar5ed+ it is *est to use an e7ternal *attery c4ar5er *ecause
you could o6er 4eat and da)a5e your 6e4icle=s c4ar5in5 syste) and your 3ill sa6e a lot o0 5as and 3ear and tear on
your en5ine' Please see "ection & and "ection J 0or )ore in0or)ation on 6e4icle c4ar5in5 syste)s and c4ar5in5'
?*ack to $nde7@
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(.'A' A *attery 3ill not e7plode' C4ar5in5 a 3et lead2acid *attery naturally produces 4ydro5en and o7y5en 5asses as
electrolysis o0 t4e 3ater occurs' /4ile spark retardin5 6ent caps 4elp pre6ent e7ternal *attery e7plosions+ sparks occur
34en ;u)pin5+ connectin5 or disconnectin5 c4ar5er or *attery ca*les and i5nite t4e 5as causin5 an e7plosion' Fro)
t4e !'"' Depart)ent o0 Ener5y+ D%E2EDB#(-C.2J&+ FPrecautions )ust *e routinely practiced to pre6ent e7plosions
0ro) i5nition o0 t4e 0la))a*le 5as )i7ture o0 4ydro5en and o7y5en 0or)ed durin5 o6erc4ar5e o0 lead2acid cells' 4e
)a7i)u) rate o0 0or)ation is -'., L o0 4ydro5en and -',( L o0 o7y5en per a)pere24our o6erc4ar5e at standard
te)perature and pressure' 4e 5as )i7ture is e7plosi6e 34en 4ydro5en in air e7ceeds .P *y 6olu)e'F Less co))on
internal e7plosions usually occur 34ile startin5 t4e en5ine or usin5 t4e *attery and nor)ally ;ust *lo3 t4e 0iller caps or
co6er o00 t4e *attery and splatter electrolyte all o6er t4e en5ine co)part)ent or *attery *o7' 4e )ost pro*a*le cause
o0 internal e7plosions are 0ro) a co)*ination o0 lo3 electrolyte le6els *elo3 t4e plates in t4e *attery and a lo3
resistance *rid5e is 0or)ed *et3een or across t4e top o0 t4e plates' 4is is called Ftreein5F *et3een t4e positi6e and
ne5ati6e plates' /4en current 0lo3s in t4e *attery+ a spark occurs and i5nites t4e residual 5as in one or )ore o0 t4e
cells' A second possi*le cause is a )anu0acturin5 de0ect in t4e 3eld o0 one o0 t4e plate connectin5 straps' 4e lar5est
nu)*er o0 internal *attery e7plosions occur in 4ot cli)ates due to t4e loss o0 3ater 34ile startin5 t4e en5ine' 9ost
internal *attery e7plosions could 4a6e *een pre6ented i0 t4e plates 3ere al3ays co6ered 3it4 electrolyte' Please see
"ection A 0or )ore in0or)ation pre6enti6e )aintenance'
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?"ource1 Popular 9ec4anics@ Periodic pre6enti6e )aintenance (Please see "ection A')+ 3orkin5 on *atteries in 3ell2
6entilated areas+ or usin5 sealed AH9 or Hel Cell type *atteries can si5ni0icantly reduce t4e possi*ility o0 *attery
e7plosions' o neutrali>e residual *attery acid+ *e sure to t4orou54ly 3as4 t4e en5ine co)part)ent and t4e *ack o0
t4e 4ood 3it4 a solution o0 one2pound *akin5 soda (*icar*onate o0 soda) to one 5allon o0 3ar) 3ater and rinse
t4orou54ly 3it4 3ater' /4ile not 0atal+ eac4 year *attery e7plosions cause t4ousands o0 eye and *urn in;uries 0ro) t4e
electrolyte (*attery acid)' Accordin5 to PRE8EN BL$NDNE"" A9ER$CA+ last year (,--A) nearly :+--- )otorists
su00ered serious eye in;uries 0ro) 3orkin5 around car *atteries' "4ould a *attery e7plosion occur and *attery
electrolyte (*attery acid) 5ets in so)eone=s eyes+ 0lus4 t4e) out 3it4 any drinka*le liquid i))ediately *ecause
"EC%ND" count' ?*ack to $nde7@ (.'.' A *attery 3ill not lose its c4ar5e sittin5 in stora5e'
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Dependin5 on t4e type o0 *attery and te)perature+ *atteries 4a6e a natural sel0 disc4ar5e or internal electro c4e)ical
Fleaka5eF at a (P to :-P rate per )ont4' %6er ti)e t4e *attery 3ill *eco)e sul0ated and 0ully disc4ar5ed 34ic4 )ake
it )ore suscepti*le to 0ree>in5' Ei54er te)peratures 3ill si5ni0icantly accelerate t4is process' A *attery stored at J&D F
(A&D C) 3ill sel02disc4ar5e t3ice as 0ast t4an one stored at B&D F (,A'JD C)' Lea6in5 a *attery in a 6e4icle can increase
t4e disc4ar5e o0 *attery due to t4e additional parasitic (i5nition key2o00 load)+ unless t4e ne5ati6e ca*le is disconnect
0ro) t4e *attery' (Please see "ection (& and "ection (: 0or )ore in0or)ation on parkin5 ti)es and sul0ation') ?*ack to
$nde7@ (.'&' F9aintenance FreeF (CaGCa) *atteries ne6er require )aintenance' 4e ter) F9aintenance FreeF 5enerally
re0ers to a 3et+ sealed lead2acid car and deep cycle *atteries 3it4 calciu) positi6e and ne5ati6e plates' (Please see
"ection B'('A 0or )ore in0or)ation on t4ese types o0 *atteries') $n 4ot cli)ates+ t4e 3ater is lost due to e6aporation t4e
4i54 under 4ood te)peratures and t4e nor)al c4ar5in5 process' /ater can also *e lost due to e7cessi6e c4ar5in5
6olta5e or c4ar5in5 currents' !sin5 non2sealed 3et Lo3 9aintenance ("*GCa) *atteries (3it4 0iller caps) are
encoura5ed in 4ot cli)ates so distilled+ deioni>ed or de)inerali>ed 3ater can *e added 34en t4is occurs' (Please see
"ection A' 0or ot4er pre6enti6e )aintenance procedures t4at s4ould *e per0or)ed on F9aintenance FreeF (CaGCa)
*atteries') ?*ack to $nde7@ (.':' est t4e alternator *y disconnectin5 t4e *attery 3it4 t4e en5ine runnin5' A *attery acts
like a 6olta5e sta*ili>er or 0ilter to t4e pulsatin5 DC produced *y t4e alternator' Disconnectin5 a *attery 34ile t4e
en5ine is runnin5 could destroy t4e sensiti6e electronic co)ponents connected to t4e electrical syste) suc4 as t4e
e)ission co)puter+ radio+ audio syste)+ cell p4one+ alar) syste)+ etc'+ or t4e c4ar5in5 syste)+ especially 3it4
internal 6olta5e re5ulators+ *ecause t4e peak 6olta5e can rise to .- 6olts or )ore' $n t4e (JB-s+ re)o6in5 a *attery
ter)inal 3as an accepted practice to test c4ar5in5 syste)s o0 t4at era' 4at is not t4e case today' "tatic electricity and
spikes
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0ro) connectin5 and disconnectin5 *atteries or test equip)ent could also da)a5e sensiti6e electronic co)ponents'
?*ack to $nde7@ (.'B' Pulse c4ar5ers+ desul0ators+ aspirins or additi6es 3ill re6i6e sul0ated *atteries' !sin5 pulse
c4ar5ers+ desul0ators or additi6es are 6ery contro6ersial su*;ects' Despite clai)s o0 t4e )anu0acturers+ so)e *attery
e7perts *elie6e t4at t4ere is no conclusi6e proo0 t4at pulse c4ar5ers 3ork any *etter t4an constant 6olta5e c4ar5ers to
re)o6e per)anent or pre6ent sul0ation' 9ost a5ree t4at t4ere is no e6idence t4at additi6es or aspirins pro6ide any
lon52ter) *ene0its' "4ort ter) 5ains are ac4ie6ed *y increasin5 t4e acidity ("peci0ic Hra6ity) o0 t4e *attery+ 34ic4
could increase t4e A)p Eour capacity+ *ut increase t4e 3ater consu)ption and positi6e 5rid corrosion and 3ill
decrease t4e o6erall ser6ice li0e o0 t4e *attery' A0ter a 4ea6y disc4ar5e+ allo3in5 a *attery to rest 3ill re5ain so)e o0 its
capacity as t4e electrolyte 4as an opportunity to di00use in t4e pores o0 t4e plates' ?*ack to $nde7@ (.'C' %n really cold
days turn your 4eadli54ts on to F3ar) upF t4e *attery up *e0ore startin5 your en5ine' /4ile t4ere is no dou*t t4at
turnin5 on your 4eadli54ts 3ill increase t4e current 0lo3 in a car *attery+ it also consu)es 6alua*le capacity t4at could
*e used to start t4e cold en5ine' 4ere0ore+ t4is is not reco))ended' For cold te)peratures+ e7ternally po3ered
te)perature co)pensated *attery F0loatF c4ar5ers+ 3ar)ers or *lankets+ and en5ine *lock 4eaters are 4i54ly
reco))ended i0 t4e 6e4icle can not *e parked in a 4eated 5ara5e' AH9 and Ni2Cad *atteries 3ill per0or) *etter t4an
3et lead2acid *atteries in e7tre)ely cold te)peratures' ?*ack to $nde7@ (.'J' Car *atteries last lon5er in 4ot cli)ates
t4an in cold ones' Car *atteries last an a6era5e o0 t3o t4irds as lon5 in 4ot cli)ates as cold ones' Eeat kills car
*atteries+ especially sealed 9aintenance Free (CaGCa)
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*atteries+ and cold reduces t4e *attery=s startin5 capacity' (Please see "ection (('( 0or )ore in0or)ation on increasin5
*attery li0e') ?*ack to $nde7@ (.'(-' C4ar5in5 ca*les or ;u)p starters 3ill start your car' 4e ci5arette li54ter c4ar5in5
ca*le=s ad6ertisin5 states Fc4ar5es 3eak *atteries in )inutes'F 4ere is little dou*t t4at c4ar5in5 ca*le products 3ill
certainly rec4ar5e your car *attery i0 you 4a6e enou54 ti)e and your *attery is in 5ood condition' Ci5arette li54ters are
nor)ally 0used at (- a)ps+ so to *e sa0e t4ey pro*a*ly li)it current 0lo3 less t4at t4e 0use si>e' Hi6en t4e dia)eter o0
t4e 3ire used in t4e ca*le+ t4e a)ount )i54t *e e6en less' 4ey 3ork *y applyin5 4i54er 6olta5e 0ro) t4e 6e4icle 3it4
t4e 5ood *attery to Fc4ar5eF t4e *ad one' $n order to c4ar5e a *attery t4e c4ar5in5 6olta5e need to *e appro7i)ately
t3o 6olts 5reater t4an t4e t4e *attery 6olta5e to o6erco)e t4e internal resistance' No3 let=s assu)e it is a 4ot day and
t4at you need ;ust o0 AP o0 t4e *attery=s capacity to start t4e en5ine 0ro) a .- a)p 4our *attery' 4is )eans you 3ill
need at least B'& a)ps 0or (- )inutes to 0lo3 0ro) t4e 5ood *attery 3it4 t4e en5ine idlin5 to t4e *ad one' No3 let=s
also assu)e t4at it is *elo3 0ree>in5 and you 4a6e le0t your li54ts on' You 3ill need at least &-P capacity or ,- a)p
4ours to start t4e 6e4icle' 4is 3ill take o6er t3o 4ours to partially c4ar5e t4e dead *attery' !sin5 ;u)per ca*les 3it4
t4e en5ine runnin5 at 4i54 idle 3ill partially c4ar5e a dead *attery )uc4 0aster' Please see "ection : 0or ;u)p startin5+
*ut *e sure t4e *attery is not 0ro>en or t4e case is cracked' "o)e auto ;u)p starter uses special 4i54 current *atteries
to pro6ide up to J-- peak a)ps to start your en5ine' $t can pro6ide ,--2A-- a)ps 0or up to C(- seconds' "tandard AA
alkaline *atteries are used to trickle c4ar5e t4e special *atteries to )aintain t4eir c4ar5e' 4is type o0 e)er5ency
starter s4ould start all *ut diesel en5ines up to si7 or ei54t ti)es on one c4ar5e+ dependin5 on t4e capacity o0 t4e
*attery+ condition o0 t4e en5ine and t4e te)perature' A0ter t4is+ t4e ;u)p starter s4ould *e rec4ar5ed 0or ,. to .C
4ours' ?*ack to $nde7@ (.'((' A lar5er capacity *attery 3ill da)a5e )y car'
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A starter )otor 3ill only use a 0i7ed a)ount o0 current 0ro) t4e *attery+ *ased on t4e resistance o0 t4e )otor' A lar5er
CCA+ RC or AE capacity *attery supplies only 34at is required' $t 3ill not da)a5e your 6e4icleK 4o3e6er+ usin5
*atteries 3it4 4i54er or lo3er 6olta5e or p4ysically too 4i54 could potentially cause 4ar)' ?*ack to $nde7@ (.'(,' Lead2
acid *atteries 4a6e )e)ories' Lead2acid *atteries do not 4a6e t4e F)e)ory e00ectF )istakenly identi0ied 3it4 0irst
5eneration Ni2Cad *atteriesK 4o3e6er+ continuous underc4ar5in5 3ill lo3er t4e capacity o0 t4e *attery o6er ti)e due to
t4e accu)ulation o0 per)anent lead2sul0ate or Fsul0ationF' Deep disc4ar5es *elo3 t3enty percent "tate2o02C4ar5e
(appro7i)ately (,'- 6olts) can da)a5e *atteries and 3ill s4orten t4eir ser6ice li6es' ?*ack to $nde7@ (.'(A' Bad
*atteries 3ill not 4ar) t4e c4ar5in5 syste) or starter' A *ad or 3eak startin5 *attery causes additional stress on a
c4ar5in5 syste)+ starter )otor or starter solenoid' $t can cause pre)ature 0ailures due to co)pensatin5 0or t4e 6olta5e
or current' $0 you replace a *attery+ alternator+ 6olta5e re5ulator or starter+ you s4ould test t4e ot4er co)ponents 0or
da)a5e and repair or replace t4e) as required' ?*ack to $nde7@ (.'(.' %nce 0or)ed+ *atteries 3ill not c4an5e polarity'
$0 a *attery is 0ully disc4ar5ed and continues to 4a6e a load+ 0or e7a)ple lea6in5 t4e 4eadli54ts on+ it is possi*le 0or one
or )ore cells to re6erse polarity' /4en t4e *attery 4as *een rec4ar5ed 3it4 re6ersed polarity t4e polarity can c4an5e'
4is is re0erred to as Fcell re6ersalF' o c4an5e polarity+ 0ully disc4ar5e t4e *attery and rec4ar5e it 3it4 t4e correct
polarity' ?*ack to $nde7@ (.'(&' !se tap 3ater to re0ill *atteries'
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!se only distilled+ deioni>ed or de)inerali>ed 3ater to replace t4e lost 3ater in *atteries *ecause usin5 tap or re6erse
os)osis 3ater 0ro) residential syste)s can produce calciu) or )a5nesiu) sul0ate crystals t4at can 0ill t4e pores and
coat t4e plates' $n an e)er5ency+ use rain 3ater *ecause rain 3ater does not contain calciu) or )a5nesiu)' ?*ack to
$nde7@ RRRPre6ious ?Eo)e@ ?op@ Ne7tOOO
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Car and Deep Cycle Battery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) "ection (&
(&' E%/ L%NH CAN $ PAR# 9Y 8EE$CLEL
Last !pdated on %cto*er (C+ ,--. 4e a)ount o0 ti)e+ usually re0erred to as FairportF+ F5ara5eF+ or Fstora5eF ti)e+ t4at
you can lea6e your 6e4icle parked and still start your en5ine is dependent on suc4 t4in5s as t4e *attery=s initial "tate2
o02C4ar5e ("oC)+ t4e Reser6e Capacity+ t4e a)ount o0 natural sel02disc4ar5e and parasitic (i5nition key o00) load+
te)perature and *attery type (plate c4e)istry)' Car )anu0acturers nor)ally desi5n 0or at least (. days or )ore
FairportF ti)eK *ased on a 0ully c4ar5ed *attery in 5ood condition+ )oderate 3eat4er+ and no additions to t4e ori5inal
car=s parasitic load (0or e7a)ple+ an a0ter )arket alar) syste))' 4e nu)*er o0 days 3ill 6ary *ased on t4e
te)perature' /4en a *attery drops *elo3 (--P "oC+ sul0ation starts slo3ly occurrin5+ and t4is 3ill reduce t4e capacity
o0 t4e *attery+ and le0t unc4ecked+ 3ill kill t4e *attery' $0 you lea6e your 6e4icle parked 0or )ore t4an t3o 3eeks+ t4en
you 4a6e se6eral options1 (&'(' 4e *est lon5 ter) (o6er one )ont4) option is to and continuously 0loat c4ar5e your
car *attery *y connectin5 a Fs)artF *attery c4ar5er+ 6olta5e re5ulated 0loat c4ar5er+ or & 3att or 5reater solar 0loat
c4ar5er' You 3ill need a F0loatF c4ar5in5 6olta5e *et3een (A', and (A'C 8DC at C-D F (,:'BD C) and at least '& a)ps
(&-- )illia)ps) to o6erco)e t4e 6e4icle=s parasitic load and t4e natural sel0disc4ar5e o0 t4e *attery' Do not use a
c4eap FtrickleF c4ar5er+ *ecause it 3ill o6erc4ar5e your *attery and dry out t4e electrolyte' 4is option 3ill allo3 you to
park you 6e4icle inde0initely+ *ut t4e *attery s4ould *e c4ecked periodically' (&',' Disconnect t4e NEHA$8E (2)
*attery ca*le to re)o6e t4e parasitic load+ *ut *e sure t4at you 4a6e sa6ed any security codes or radio stations
presets t4at 3ill 4a6e to *e repro5ra))ed+ *ut t4e *attery=s natural sel0 disc4ar5e 3ill continue' 4is option 3ill 3ork
0ro) one )ont4 to si7 )ont4s dependin5 *attery type and te)perature' (&'A' Replace t4e *attery 3it4 t4e lar5est
8RLA AH9 or "piral /ound AH9 type *attery t4at 3ill 0it+ e'5'+ an %pti)a or E7ide "elect %r*ital+ 3it4 6ery lo3
sel0disc4ar5e rates' For periods 5reater t4an t3o )ont4s+ also disconnect t4e NEHA$8E (2) *attery ca*le to re)o6e
t4e parasitic load' 4is option 3ill 3ork 0or si7 )ont4s to t3el6e )ont4s dependin5 *attery type and te)perature' (&'.'
$nstall a *attery 3it4 a lar5er reser6e capacity or connect an identical *attery
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Car and Deep Cycle Battery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) "ection (&
in parallel+ *ut t4e *attery=s natural sel0 disc4ar5e 3ill continue' For periods 5reater t4an t3o )ont4s+ also disconnect
t4e NEHA$8E (2) *attery ca*le to re)o6e t4e parasitic load' 4is option 3ill 3ork 0or t3o )ont4s to t3el6e )ont4s
dependin5 *attery type and te)perature' (&'&' Replace t4e *attery 34en you are ready to dri6e t4e 6e4icle a5ain+
especially i0 t4e *attery is o6er t4ree years old and in a 4ot cli)ate' (&':' Ea6e so)eone dri6e your car durin5 t4e day
at 4i543ay speeds e6ery t3o 3eeks 0or at least (& )inutes to keep t4e *attery c4ar5ed' (&'B' Mu)p start t4e *attery
and 4ope t4at t4ere is no latent da)a5e' (&'C' $nstall a lo3 6olta5e disconnect' 4is is especially 4elp0ul i0 t4e dri6er
0or5ets to turn t4e 4eadli54ts o00' RRRPre6ious ?Eo)e@ ?op@ Ne7tOOO
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Car and Deep Cycle Battery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) "ection (:
(:' E%/ CAN $ RE8$8E A "!LFAED BAERYL
Last !pdated on %cto*er ,&+ ,--. $NDES1 (:'(' Eo3 Can $ ell $0 )y Battery Eas Per)anent "ul0ationL (:',' Eo3 Do
$ Pre6ent Per)anent "ul0ationL (:'A' Eo3 Do $ Reco6er "ul0ated BatteriesL (:'.' /4ere Can $ Find Additional
$n0or)ation %n "ul0ationL People kill )ore deep cycle *atteries 3it4 poor c4ar5in5 practices+ t4an die o0 old a5e<
Durin5 t4e nor)al disc4ar5e process+ lead and sul0ur co)*ine into so0t lead sul0ate crystals are 0or)ed in t4e pores
and on t4e sur0aces o0 t4e positi6e and ne5ati6e plates inside a lead2acid *attery' /4en a *attery is le0t in a
disc4ar5ed condition+ continually underc4ar5ed+ or t4e electrolyte le6el is *elo3 t4e top o0 t4e plates+ so)e o0 t4e so0t
lead sul0ate re2crystalli>es into 4ard lead sul0ate' $t cannot *e recon6erted durin5 su*sequent rec4ar5in5' 4is creation
o0 4ard crystals is co))only called per)anent Fsul0ationF' $t accounts 0or appro7i)ately C&P o0 t4e lead2acid *attery
0ailures t4at are not used 3eekly' 4e lon5er sul0ation occurs+ t4e lar5er and 4arder t4e lead sul0ate crystals *eco)e'
4e positi6e plates 3ill *e li54t *ro3n and t4e ne5ati6e plates 3ill *e dull+ o00 34ite' 4ese crystals lessen a *attery=s
capacity and a*ility to *e rec4ar5ed' 4is is *ecause deep cycle and so)e startin5 *atteries are typically used 0or
s4ort periods+ 6acations+ 3eekend trips+ etc'+ and t4en are stored t4e rest o0 t4e year to slo3ly sel0 disc4ar5e' Car
*atteries are nor)ally used se6eral ti)es a )ont4+ so sul0ation rarely *eco)es a pro*le)' As a consequence o0
parasitic load and natural sel02disc4ar5e+ per)anent sul0ation occurs as t4e lead2acid *attery disc4ar5es 34ile in lon5
ter) stora5e' (Parasitic load is t4e constant electrical load present on a *attery 34ile it is installed in a 6e4icle e6en
34en t4e po3er is turned o00' 4e load is 0ro) t4e continuous operation o0 appliances+ suc4 as a clock+ security
syste)+ )aintenance o0 radio station presets+ etc') /4ile disconnectin5 t4e ne5ati6e *attery ca*le 3ill eli)inate t4e
parasitic load+ it 4as no e00ect on t4e natural sel02disc4ar5e o0 a car *attery' "el0 disc4ar5e is accelerated *y
te)perature' 4us+ sul0ation can *e a 4u5e pro*le) 0or lead2acid *atteries not *ein5
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used+ sittin5 on a dealer=s s4el0+ or in a parked 6e4icle+ especially in E% te)peratures' Car and deep cycle lead2acid
*atteries are peris4a*le< (:'(' Eo3 Can $ ell $0 )y Battery Eas Per)anent "ul0ationL C4ances are t4at your *attery
4as so)e per)anent sul0ation+ i0 it e74i*its one or )ore o0 t4e 0ollo3in5 conditions1
q
$0 your 3et "tandard ("*G"*) or 3et Lo3 9aintenance ("*GCa) *attery 4as *een not *een rec4ar5ed 0or o6er t4ree
)ont4s+ especially i0 t4e stora5e area 3as 3ar) or 4ot' ("i7 )ont4s 0or 3et 9aintenance Free (CaGCa) or one year 0or
8RLA AH9 or Hel Cell') /4ile rec4ar5in5+ t4e a))eter does not drop to 3it4in ,P (CG&-) o0 t4e AE capacity o0 t4e
*attery 3it4in t3ice t4e capacity di6ided *y t4e c4ar5in5 rate in 4ours and t4e *attery is 3ar) or 4ot' For e7a)ple+ i0
you 4a6e a &- AE *attery and a ten a)p c4ar5er+ t4e *attery s4ould *e 0ully c4ar5ed 3it4in (- 4ours (, 7 &- AEG(-
a)ps [ (- 4ours)' $0 t4e te)perature co)pensated a*sorption c4ar5in5 6olta5e is correct and t4e *attery is 5assin5
e7cessi6ely' Poor per0or)ance' $0 t4e *attery 3ill not take or F4oldF a c4ar5e' ?*ack to $nde7@
q
q
q
q
(:',' Eo3 do $ pre6ent per)anent sul0ationL 4e *est 3ay to pre6ent sul0ation is to keep a lead2acid *attery 0ully
c4ar5ed *ecause lead sul0ate does not 0or)' 4is can *e acco)plis4ed t4ree 3ays' 4e *est solution is to use a
c4ar5er or desul0ator t4at is capa*le o0 deli6erin5 a continuous F0loatF c4ar5e at t4e *attery )anu0acturer=s
reco))ended 0loat or )aintenance 6olta5e 0or a 0ully c4ar5ed *attery or a desul0atin5 pulse' (,26olt *atteries+
dependin5 on t4e *attery type+ usually 4a6e 0i7ed 0loat 6olta5es *et3een (A', 8DC and (A'C 8DC+ )easured at C-D F
(,:'BD C) 3it4 an accurate ('&P or *etter) di5ital 6olt)eter' Based on t4e *attery type you are usin5+ c4ar5in5 can *est
*e acco)plis4ed 3it4 a
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)icroprocessor controlled+ t4ree sta5e (0or AH9 or Hel Cell *atteries) or 0our sta5e (0or 3et *atteries) Fs)artF c4ar5er
or *y 6olta5e2re5ulated 0loat c4ar5er to F0loatF or )aintain 0ully a c4ar5ed *attery' A c4eap+ unre5ulated FtrickleF
c4ar5er or )anual t3o sta5e c4ar5er can o6erc4ar5e a *attery and destroy it' A second tec4nique is to use a
re5ulated solar panel or 3ind or 3ater 5enerator desi5ned to 0loat c4ar5e t4e *attery' 4is is a popular solution 34en
AC po3er is una6aila*le 0or c4ar5in5' A desul0ator can *e used in con;unction 3it4 t4is )et4od' A t4ird and less
desira*le )et4od is to periodically rec4ar5e t4e *attery 34en t4e "tate2o02C4ar5e drops to C-P or *elo3' 9aintainin5
a 4i54 "tate2o0C4ar5e ("oC) tends to pre6ent irre6ersi*le sul0ation' 4e rec4ar5e 0requency is dependent on t4e
parasitic load+ te)perature+ t4e *attery=s condition+ and plate 0or)ulation (*attery type)' e)perature )atters< Lo3er
te)peratures slo3 do3n electro c4e)ical reactions and 4i54er te)peratures speed t4e) up' A *attery stored at J&D F
(A&D C) 3ill sel02disc4ar5e t3ice as 0ast t4an one stored at B&D F (,A'JD C)' ?*ack to $nde7@ (:'A' Eo3 do $ reco6er
sul0ated *atteriesL Eere are t4ree )et4ods to try to reco6er per)anently sul0ated *atteries1 (:'A'(' Li54t "ul0ation
C4eck t4e electrolyte le6els and apply a constant current at ,P o0 t4e *attery=s RC or (P o0 t4e AE capacity ratin5 0or
.C to (,- 4ours at (.'. 8DC or )ore+ dependin5 on t4e electrolyte te)perature and capacity o0 t4e *attery' Cycle
(disc4ar5e to &-P and rec4ar5e) t4e *attery a couple o0 ti)es and test its capacity' You )i54t 4a6e to increase t4e
6olta5e in order to *reak do3n t4e 4ard lead sul0ate crystals' $0 t4e *attery 5ets a*o6e (,&D F (&('BD C) t4en stop
c4ar5in5 and allo3 t4e *attery to cool do3n *e0ore continuin5' (:'A',' Eea6y "ul0ation Replace t4e old electrolyte 3it4
distilled+ deioni>ed or de)inerali>ed 3ater+ let stand 0or one 4our+ apply a constant current at 0our a)ps at (A'C 8DC
until t4ere is no additional rise in speci0ic 5ra6ity+ re)o6e t4e
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electrolyte+ 3as4 t4e sedi)ent out+ replace 3it4 0res4 electrolyte (*attery acid)+ and rec4ar5e' $0 t4e speci0ic 5ra6ity
e7ceeds ('A--+ t4en re)o6e t4e ne3 electrolyte+ 3as4 t4e sedi)ent out+ and start o6er 0ro) t4e *e5innin5 3it4
distilled 3ater' You )i54t 4a6e to increase t4e 6olta5e in order to *reak do3n t4e 4ard lead sul0ate crystals' $0 t4e
*attery 5ets a*o6e (,&D F (&('BD C) t4en stop c4ar5in5 and allo3 t4e *attery to cool do3n *e0ore continuin5' Cycle
(disc4ar5e to &-P and rec4ar5e) t4e *attery a couple o0 ti)es and test capacity' 4e sul0ate crystals are )ore solu*le
in 3ater t4an in electrolyte' As t4ese crystals are dissol6ed+ t4e sul0ate is con6erted *ack into sul0uric acid and t4e
speci0ic 5ra6ity rises' 4is procedure 3ill only 3ork 3it4 so)e *atteries' (:'A'A' Desul0ators !se a desul0ator also
kno3n as a pulse c4ar5er' A list o0 so)e o0 t4e desul0ator or pulse c4ar5er )anu0acturers is a6aila*le on t4e Battery
Re0erences Links List at 4ttp1GG333'*attery0aq'or5' Despite )anu0acturer=s clai)s+ so)e *attery e7perts 0eel t4at
desul0ators and pulse c4ar5ers do not 3ork any *etter at re)o6in5 per)anent or pre6entin5 sul0ation t4an do constant
6olta5e c4ar5ers' ?*ack to $nde7@ (:'.' /4ere Can $ Find Additional $n0or)ation %n "ul0ationL Please read Collyn
Ri6ers= article+ Battery Pulsin5 De6ices' Eere are so)e articles on sul0ation+ desul0ation and desul0ators *y Alistair
Couper+ Lead Acid Battery Desul0ation Pulse HeneratorK "o)e ec4nical Details on Lead Acid Batteries1 4e
C4e)istry o0 "ul0ation+ and /4y Pulsin5 Eelps+ and Desul0ator Frequently Asked Questions' ?*ack to $nde7@
RRRPre6ious ?Eo)e@ ?op@ Ne7tOOO
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Car and Deep Cycle Battery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) "ection (B
(B' /EY /%N= 9Y ENH$NE "ARL
Last !pdated on %cto*er ,A+ ,--. Findin5 t4e reason 34y your en5ine 3ill not start can *e a 6ery 0rustratin5 pro*le)'
4e *attery and starter )otor=s principal ;o* is to start t4e en5ine' /4ile t4e en5ine is runnin5+ t4e alternator+ 6olta5e
re5ulator and *attery all 3ork to5et4er to pro6ide sta*le source o0 po3er 0or your 6e4icle and to rec4ar5e t4e *attery'
All o0 t4ese co)ponents+ includin5 t4e 3irin5 and 3irin5 connections+ )ust *e in 5ood 3orkin5 order to start and
operate your en5ine' Assu)in5 you 4a6e t4e *attery=s plates co6ered 3it4 electrolyte+ su00icient 0uel+ t4e en5ine and
i5nition syste) are in 5ood 3orkin5 order+ and t4e electrolyte is not 0ro>en+ t4e 0ollo3in5 is a list o0 0our si)ple
instructions on 4o3 to trou*les4oot t4e pro*le) and isolate t4e source1 (' $0 t4ere are no li54ts or ot4er stran5e
electrical pro*le)s+ CEEC# t4e 3irin5+ *attery ter)inal )atin5 sur0aces+ inside t4e positi6e H9 style side *attery
ca*le ter)inal 3it4 )ultiple ca*les+ and 5roundin5 strap *et3een t4e en5ine and c4assis 0or corrosion or o7idation'
Clean eac4 end to *are )etal' Loose+ *ad or corroded connections are 6ery co))on causes' $0 5ood+ t4en ,'
RECEARHE and E" t4e *attery 0or latent da)a5e and E" t4e c4ar5in5 syste)' $0 5ood+ t4en A' est t4e starter'
Burned solenoid contacts+ 3orn starter )otor *rus4es or loose starter *olts are co))on pro*le)s 0or older 6e4icles' .'
$0 t4e pro*le) continues or t4e *attery drains o6erni54t+ E" 0or e7cessi6e parasitic (i5nition key o00) drain' "o)e
auto parts or *attery stores in t4e !nited "tates and Canada+ like Auto None+ "ears+ /al29art+ Pep Boys+ etc'+ 3ill test
your *attery+ c4ar5in5 syste) and starter 0or 0ree' "i)ple stu00+ like corrosion+ *ad or loose ca*le connections+ loose
alternator *elt+ loose starter *olts+ or a dead *attery+ can cause your car not start' $0 t4e pro*le) is not corrected+ take
your 6e4icle to a 5ood auto electric s4op is 4i54ly reco))ended' RRRPre6ious ?Eo)e@ ?op@ Ne7tOOO
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Car and Deep Cycle Battery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) "ection (C
(C' /EERE CAN $ F$ND 9%RE $NF%R9A$%N %N BAER$E"L
Last !pdated on Dece)*er (.+ ,--. Additional in0or)ation on car and deep cycle *atteries )ay*e 0ound on t4e /e*
ser6er at 4ttp1GG333'*attery0aq'or5' For e7a)ple+ t4ere is a 0requently updated list list containin5 4yperlinks to lead2
acid *attery )anu0acturer=s sites+ *attery *rand na)es+ and pri6ate la*elin5 in0or)ation' 4ere are also t3o lists 3it4
4yperlinks to *attery related product in0or)ation and re0erences a*out lead2acid *atteries+ 0or e7a)ple+ c4ar5in5
syste)s+ re5ulators+ isolators+ test and )onitorin5 syste)s+ associations+ *ooks+ )a5a>ines+ 4istory+ directories+ etc'
9ost o0 t4e *attery )anu0acturers 4a6e a Battery FAQ posted on t4eir 3e* sites in addition to product in0or)ation+
speci0ications and c4ar5in5 6olta5es and procedures' /e* addresses 3ill o0ten c4an5e+ so you can use an $nternet
searc4 tool like 4ttp1GG333' 5oo5le'co)G or 4ttp1GG333'ya4oo'co)G to locate t4e ne3 addresses' 4ese searc4 tools
are 6ery e00ecti6e in 0indin5 speci0ic topics as 3ell' $ 3ill *e 4appy to try and ans3er your lead2acid *attery and c4ar5in5
questions' Eo3e6er+ o6er C-P o0 t4e questions $ recei6e 4a6e already *een ans3ered in t4e in0or)ation posted on t4is
/e* site+ so please c4eck 0irst' "o)e o0 t4e e2)ails $ recei6e do not 4a6e a 6alid return address+ so please inclose a
6alid Freply toF e)ail address in your )essa5e and su*;ect t4at 3ill not *e *locked *y your spa) 0ilter or 0ire3all' For
co))ents+ su55estions or questions+ please e)ail Bill Darden at in0oA*attery0aq'or5 c4an5in5 t4e A to ]' $ 4i54ly
reco))end t4at you 4yperlink to 4ttp1GG333'*attery0aq'or5 rat4er t4an repu*lis4in5 t4is docu)ent *ecause t4is
in0or)ation 3ill *e re6ised periodically to keep up 3it4 t4e ad6ance)ents in *atteries and t4e c4an5in5 resources'
Re6isions 3ill *e indicated 3it4 a )ore recent date or 4i54er 6ersion nu)*er' 4ese docu)ents are in t4e pu*lic
do)ain and can *e 0reely reproduced or distri*uted 3it4out per)ission' RRRPre6ious ?Eo)e@ ?op@ Ne7tOOO
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Car and Deep Cycle Battery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) "ection (J
(J' E%/ CAN $ PR$N E$" FAQL
Last !pdated on %cto*er ((+ ,--. 4e intent o0 t4is pa5e is to present 3ays you can print t4e docu)ents posted on
t4is /e* site' /4ile 4yperlinkin5 to t4is site is 4i54ly reco))ended *ecause it is 0requently updated+ )any o0 you
3ould like a printed copy' "o)e 4a6e asked 34y t4e FAQ 3as di6ided into s)aller /e* pa5es' 4e ans3er is
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Car and Deep Cycle Battery Frequently Asked Questions

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Car and Deep Cycle Battery Frequently Asked Questions

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Car and Deep Cycle Battery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Basic and very important formulas.

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