| Author |
Message |
bobm (68.35.160.48)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 11:48 am: | |
How can I test the condition of my 8D coach batteries. I have had them for a few years and they seem to hold a charge. Getting ready for a long trip and I want to be sure they are in good shape. |
bill gerrie (65.49.74.228)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 1:51 pm: | |
Bob
You can buy a battery tester from an automotive store that puts a load on them for 10 seconds and will tell you the condition. You can also use a hygrometer which will tell you the specific gravity of each cell. While this dosen't put a load on the battery it will tell you the general condition of each cell. Hope this helps you. Bill |
BrianMCI96A3 (198.81.26.45)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 2:53 pm: | |
Bob, any test you do should be with the battery fully charged.
Since, as you say, the batteries seem to be holding a charge an inexpensive way to test their
relative strength would be to test them with a voltmeter.
After charging them to full strength and allowing them to lose their surface charge by letting them sit for a few hours or running the headlights for 10 seconds or so. Then if the batteries each register 12.5V or greater they should be fine.
I should also say that a reading of 12.5 is only adequate and I prefer a reading of around 13V or better.
At a reading of 12.5V, in my opinion, it is time to start thinking about replacing your batteries.
Brian |
James Maxwell (Jmaxwell) (66.81.54.208)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 10:18 am: | |
In keeping w/ what Brain says, I have noticed that battery banks that don't float out at 13.3-13.4 have noticeably less reserve time in use, which indicates detioration. If they won't charge to 12.7-12.8 and hold there for a few days, it's time to start shopping. But, I readily admit to not being an expert on batteries, since I seem to have more damn trouble with them than 10 people. If I only had all the money I've spent on batteries in my life! |
Buswarrior (Buswarrior) (64.229.210.67)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 8:43 am: | |
Hmmmm...
What happened to the textbook number of 12.6 volts for a healthy, well charged battery?
Stray from procedures, and your results will vary?
happy coaching!
buswarrior |