Thread: What setting for charging my starting battery

Originally Posted by happycaster58

I would get a good charger with digital charge rate display. They revert to a trickle charge and can be left on for a long period. 10% loss overnight probably means a bad cell/plate. Good thing you got that NOCO charger too. Check to see if any of your accessories stay on between charges. May be draining your battery unexpectedly.

Mine has a digital display and is computer smart it says.

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Charge the battery unhook everything check voltage let sit a day or two and check voltage should be at least 12.5 if less then yes battery is on the way out. A regular load battery tester will not always show a bad battery.

Originally Posted by 10point

I charged to 100% yesterday and it just said 90% this morning. I put the charger on it and in just a few minutes it said 100%. Is this bad?

Yeah, sounds like time for another battery to me. And Happycaster makes some good points, as well. I live in an apt complex and have to bring my 3 batteries inside to charge them, so I didn't even think about accessories bleeding off some charge.

Originally Posted by 10point

What's the best way to test? Take it to automotive store? It also has accessories hooked up to it. I did just buy a noco boost jumb start just to be safe.

A way I sometimes test is to charge to 100% then let sit half to one day for the voltage to stabilize. Watch the voltage while you pull the kill switch and crank the motor over for 3 seconds. The voltage should drop substantially and then slowly rebound to a couple 10ths below where it was in a few minutes (starting at 12.4, it may fall to 11-11.5 while cranking and then slowly go back up to 12.2-12.4) . If it drops to 10-11v and stays there, battery is toast.

Youll know if the battery is bad, it can sometimes be difficult to know if it is weak. An automotive shop will tell you its weak and they suggest you replace it to be safe, every time. I once took a return to AutoZone because i accidentally grabbed a 27 instead of a 29 and didnt notice until i went to install. I was standing by the counter waiting for help, and before i could open my mouth the "associate" said set it on that cart. I did so and he wheeled it to the tester and started hooking it up, by now im interested in what it will say so I kept my mouth shut. "Your battery is showing weak, but its within warranty so we can replace it for free today or upgrade you to a better battery for a fee". I said im good, i was just going to exchange it for the next size bigger, since i bought it last night and never used it (while handing the receipt over). The look on his face was hilarious, and the manager who overheard it was FUMING.

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Originally Posted by Kevin22

A way I sometimes test is to charge to 100% then let sit half to one day for the voltage to stabilize. Watch the voltage while you pull the kill switch and crank the motor over for 3 seconds. The voltage should drop substantially and then slowly rebound to a couple 10ths below where it was in a few minutes (starting at 12.4, it may fall to 11-11.5 while cranking and then slowly go back up to 12.2-12.4) . If it drops to 10-11v and stays there, battery is toast.

Youll know if the battery is bad, it can sometimes be difficult to know if it is weak. An automotive shop will tell you its weak and they suggest you replace it to be safe, every time. I once took a return to AutoZone because i accidentally grabbed a 27 instead of a 29 and didnt notice until i went to install. I was standing by the counter waiting for help, and before i could open my mouth the "associate" said set it on that cart. I did so and he wheeled it to the tester and started hooking it up, by now im interested in what it will say so I kept my mouth shut. "Your battery is showing weak, but its within warranty so we can replace it for free today or upgrade you to a better battery for a fee". I said im good, i was just going to exchange it for the next size bigger, since i bought it last night and never used it (while handing the receipt over). The look on his face was hilarious, and the manager who overheard it was FUMING.

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I actually just sold the two trolling motor batteries that came with the boat. I gave they guy that bought them a "warranty" for a few hours so he could go have them checked out. O'reilys checked them and told them they were good.

I was looking at new batteries. Would a dual purpose be better since it's got accessories on it? I can't find anywhere on my current battery where it says it's dual purpose. I think it's just a starting battery.