Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2011 11:02:43 -0500
Reply-To: Jon Kanas <kanas@QADAS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jon Kanas <kanas@QADAS.COM>
Subject: Battery Sages
In-Reply-To: <20110831011127.20B15208004C@osmium.vcn.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Greetings Don & Listers,
Both of your assumptions are correct. Lead / Acid batteries sulfate
when stored for any length of time with a low charge. A slow recharge
(like the 2A you describe) minimizes the sulfation which has taken
place, but the life of the battery is compromised when it sits in a
discharged state for any length of time. The symptoms you describe
(appears to take a charge, but there is no reserve) are typical of this
condition.
When I am not using my vehicles for any length of time, I disconnect the
battery (but leave it installed), and attach a "maintenance" charger.
These automatic, very low amperage chargers, are readily available for
around $20. On my Westfalia, where the battery is very difficult to
reach, I have built the maintenance charger into the cabinet under the
sink and plugged it into the 120V used by the refrigerator. When I
attach an extension cord to the socket on the outside of the Westfalia,
the battery charges. Typically, I plug it in for four or five days,
once a month, when I'm not using the Vanagon.
The battery you describe probably also qualifies as a "POS", since it
should not have exhibited this level of problem if only a few months
old. It may have been stored for a long time, discharged, long before
your purchased it.
*Best Regards,
Jon Kanas
Email: kanas<at>qadas.com <mailto:kanas@qadas.com>
Website: http://www.qadas.com/~kanas <http://www.qadas.com/%7Ekanas>
*
Automatic digest processor wrote:
> Date: Tue, 30 Aug 2011 11:18:48 -0700
> From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
> Subject: Battery Sages..Not 100% Vanagon specific, but applicable..
>
> I have an almost new battery that was installed then sat unused for a few
> months with a low charge. Upon trying to start the machine (this was a KTM
> motorcycle, but it could have been my vanagon..so there is the connection)
> the battery simply clicked weakly. I cleaned all the contacts and put it on
> a 2amp smart charger overnight. Next day I put my digi-meter on the batt
> and got 12.96v reading..Poke the starter and it cranks very weakly for a
> very short time. Back to the multi meter and I see 12.4 volts. I put the
> charger back on, check the multimeter..it is getting 14.4, appx. Let it go
> a couple of hours, remove the charger and again read: 12.8v....Push the
> starter again and RRR rrr r...click. Weak... Charge the batt again and
> leave it overnight..it holds the charge of 12.9 just fine, but when I load
> it with the starter...it dies quickly without a start. The machine will
> start right up with a kick...and it spins over well after running...for a
> couple of revolutions, only...
>
> So I am assuming the battery was a POS from the vendor, or that two months
> of sitting with a low charge ruined it and I need another new battery...am I
> assuming correctly? Batteries are strange...
>
> Don Hanson
>
>
>
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