Battery Life

Tim · Posted: Mon, Aug 18 2008 10:40 am Post subject: Battery Life

How Ironic is it that yesterday morning I found out that within one week both my cracking and my trolling motor battery would both kick the bucket at the same time

. They both charged and worked fine last weekend but after the test yesterday they both have dead cells. I wonder if the cooler weather helped in their deaths. Has anyone ever had two go out within minutes of each other?

Tim

TexExp · Posted: Mon, Aug 18 2008 12:12 pm Post subject:

If anything could go wrong with batteries, I've had it happen.
For two dead batteries, you're right, it's usually in the winter.

I was surprised to hear that marine batteries are only going to
last about 2 years. that has been my experience, but I thought
I just had crappy batteries. That's a big expense if you have 3 batteries.
Ouch.
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Dewey · Posted: Mon, Aug 18 2008 01:04 pm Post subject:

The main reason batteries fail is sulfation of the lead plates. This is usually due to being left in a less than fully charged state. You should always recharge the batteries and make sure the water level is good in them. Only use distilled water. Also they make little vibration absorbing pads that will help absorb impact from running at high speed and rough water. Check with the manufacture of of the battery to find out the rate of charge recommended, Most automatic chargers self adjust these days.

Jerry · Posted: Mon, Aug 18 2008 06:15 pm Post subject:

I get about 3 years out of Interstate batteries.
I promise, mine get more use than most

I keep them full of water and charged. Funny thing is I use bottled drinking water

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cheapersleeper · Posted: Mon, Aug 18 2008 07:02 pm Post subject:

What? I am supposed to keep them fully charged? I must be decades out of date. I thought that you needed to draw them down a lot before recharging...
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"I was getting too many snakes in the house, otherwise I would have stayed,"

TexExp · Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008 07:57 am Post subject:

Cheapers,
I think that is the old NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) batteries like
in electronic devices. The core had a 'memory' and they
recommended a full draw down to get a 'full' charge.

Not so with lead batteries.

[that's my limited knowledge...]

_________________
Everone has to believe in something... I believe I'll go fishing.

cheapersleeper · Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008 11:44 am Post subject:

TexExp wrote:

Cheapers,
I think that is the old NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) batteries like
in electronic devices. The core had a 'memory' and they
recommended a full draw down to get a 'full' charge.

Not so with lead batteries.

[that's my limited knowledge...]

Thanks. I do know that I have been wrong since long before NiCad batteries.

_________________
"I was getting too many snakes in the house, otherwise I would have stayed,"

Dewey · Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008 12:10 pm Post subject:

Hey Cheaper, Since you are on injured reserve are you tying leaders and stuff like that?

cheapersleeper · Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008 12:32 pm Post subject:

Dewey wrote:

Hey Cheaper, Since you are on injured reserve are you tying leaders and stuff like that?

No Dewey. That would make me sad...

I will probably go back to work middle of next week. The problem is the 'no lifting for five weeks!!" thing.
_________________
"I was getting too many snakes in the house, otherwise I would have stayed,"