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Date:         Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:41:24 -0700
Reply-To:     Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject:      Re: Battery Sages
Comments: To: Jon Kanas <kanas@QADAS.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=response

hi, where are you buying you low cost 'maintainer' battery charges.

built-in on board is neat. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jon Kanas" <kanas@QADAS.COM> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 9:02 AM Subject: Battery Sages

> 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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