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How To Tell

Is Deep Cell Battery Dead?

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Tim

06-17-2003 19:56:37

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The battery for my boat seemed fine when I pulled it last fall. I trickle charged it for 24 hrs last week, finally got around to putting it in the boat tonight. I only have enough power to run the blower, radio, console lights. Not enough to blow the horn or run the outdrive pump. This would be the 6th year I've used it (19 ft. bowrider).

Any fellow tractor guys who also boat out there? What are typical symptoms of a bad battery? I'm guessing I'm about at the end of its expected life anyway. Can they test these kinds of batteries at Sears like they do regular 12 volt auto batteries?

Thanks - Tim in NY

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Ludwig

06-21-2003 10:56:54

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Re: How To Tell - Is Deep Cell Battery Dead? in reply to Tim, 06-17-2003 19:56:37

There is, apparently the guys just don't feel like answering the question.
After charging for awhile put your multimeter on and test for voltage. Anything under 14 odd volts is bad. Something like 12v or 8v would indicate reversed/shorted/dead cells. In which case the battery is toast.
Now put a known load on, like a lightbulb of known wattage. Watch your multimeter, with a light load you shouldn't see much change.
Now calc the amp draw of your load, thats watts/volts. Now watch how long the battery lasts with that load. Compare that to the amp hours of the battery. On a big battery like yours a heavier load would make this easier and less time consuming.

Since you can run the horn or pump I'm betting you've got a bad cell. I suspect its a sealed battery so even if it were just low your mostly out of luck, while you could fill the battery I'm not going to get into drilling into the case here.

The guy who posted about getting a better charger with a desulfator is right. Probably sufate buildup is what has caused your shorted cell. Desulfation might save this battery, but you've neared the end of its lifespan no matter what. If you kept after a new battery with a solagizer or something it should give you your 6 years again, probably more since you clearly don't abuse your battery.

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Jeff

06-24-2003 06:50:22

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Re: Re: How To Tell - Is Deep Cell Battery Dead? in reply to Ludwig, 06-21-2003 10:56:54

"Technically", the only way to accurately
measure charge, is by a specific gravity
test of the battery acid.

If you get one of the cheap battery load banks
from Harbor Freight, and use a VOM to measure
voltage drop, that works.(they just have an analog scale)

But to accurately reflect battery condition,
you have to let the battery set for 24 hours
after charging, before testing.

But since you are just gettign a reflection of condition, you needn't wait.

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Tim

06-23-2003 05:05:47

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Re: Re: How To Tell - Is Deep Cell Battery Dead? in reply to Ludwig, 06-21-2003 10:56:54

Ludwig - thanks for the information. You are correct, it is a sealed battery. After thinking about this for a week, I think I'll just replace the battery. We got stranded once on the lake, several miles away from the ramp - its not worth taking a chance on that happening again. I'll have it tested for the heck of it - but a new one is going in.

Tim

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Tim - guess there's not m

06-18-2003 15:52:43

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Re: How To Tell - Is Deep Cell Battery Dead? in reply to Tim, 06-17-2003 19:56:37

Thanks for your input. Everyone pretty much confirmed what I didn't want to admit. Guess I'm off to Sears or NAPA - would have rather spent the $'s on some tractor stuff! With the weather this year, I'll probably never use the dang thing anyway.....

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Alton

06-18-2003 14:54:05

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Re: How To Tell - Is Deep Cell Battery Dead? in reply to Tim, 06-17-2003 19:56:37

Sears should be able to test it. but sounds like to me a waste of time as you described 6 year and not holding a charge. A good battery is a must in a boat unless you can walk on water. I just replaced mine had it since 97.

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Hayman

06-18-2003 12:41:55

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Re: How To Tell - Is Deep Cell Battery Dead? in reply to Tim, 06-17-2003 19:56:37

If it's a boat,keep an excellent battery in it

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Jeff

06-18-2003 06:32:30

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Re: How To Tell - Is Deep Cell Battery Dead? in reply to Tim, 06-17-2003 19:56:37

Next time invest in some smart trickle chargers
and you'll be money ahead...

I have some batteries that have sat for years,
and still work fine.

www.vdcelectronics.com

Mine also has the de-sulfation mode.

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Richard Fazio

06-18-2003 05:56:49

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Re: How To Tell - Is Deep Cell Battery Dead? in reply to Tim, 06-17-2003 19:56:37

From your discription I can tell from here it's dead!

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Ray,IN

06-17-2003 20:18:36

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Re: How To Tell - Is Deep Cell Battery Dead? in reply to Tim, 06-17-2003 19:56:37

Buy a new battery. You've gotten your money's worth from that one. Yes, your dead battery can be tested but you've already stated the results- it's useful life is past.

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