Battery Longevity

[John0829]

I think some of us here are using the terms "trickle chargers", and "battery maintainers" synonymously.

You would be correct in my case.

 

[Popgadget]

Interesting. How do the large roll cart style fast chargers work? The type you see (or used to see) at service stations and auto shops?

They’re generally just a transformer with multiple taps that are selected to select the voltage output. That AC is crudely rectified with no voltage regulation. The higher the voltage tap used, the greater the charge rate. Ohm’s law at work. Charge current is equal to voltage divided by the internal resistance of the battery.
At a constant voltage, the charge rate would decrease as the internal resistance increases as the Battery gains charge.

 

[WranglerX]

Friend had a small electric/hydraulic hoist in his small engine shop running off of a battery. Charged it now and then. He was charging it with one of those wheeled chargers (not sure if on crank or high) as he was doing some lathe work for me. When the battery EXPLODED! Very little left of it, and I hurried home to put all my clothes in the washer.

Yeah .. One of my rather dumb friends (when we were in high school auto shop 60 years ago), put a 12 volt charger on a 6 volt battery and blew the side right out of the battery, was going to quick charge it...... Most people who get in trouble blowing up batteries and such do not know what they are doing.... I worked around commercial/industrial storage batteries for 38 years as back up power system in telehonone offices, one thing you learn to under stand is how to charge a battery property.... We called then 48Volt systems but the were held specifically at 52.08 volts, and systems last 15 to 20 years....WITH OUT FAILURES....

My really old transformer based 6/12 volt charger goes to almost 17 VDC as battery reaches charge, about 2 volts higher then good......... It should never go over 15 volts at max..... Even My AGM battery states do not exceeded 15 VDC....

Dale

 

[JethroB]

They’re generally just a transformer with multiple taps that are selected to select the voltage output. That AC is crudely rectified with no voltage regulation. The higher the voltage tap used, the greater the charge rate. Ohm’s law at work. Charge current is equal to voltage divided by the internal resistance of the battery.
At a constant voltage, the charge rate would decrease as the internal resistance increases as the Battery gains charge.

So, a higher voltage is being pumped into a 12 volt battery? Does this not damage the battery in some way?

 

[ultrarunner]

I have an old 1960's charger that brings back batteries modern chargers won't... and yes it sometimes gets hot so I charge outside with plenty of ventilation.

 

[JethroB]

So, a higher voltage is being pumped into a 12 volt battery? Does this not damage the battery in some way?

DL, I believe you answered my second question. In my young days I jumped off a 6 volt with a 12 volt a few times but knew better. I think the 6 would get a bit warm.

 

[jaxs]

DL, I believe you answered my second question. In my young days I jumped off a 6 volt with a 12 volt a few times but knew better. I think the 6 would get a bit warm.

I never did anything when I was young that I knew better than doing. :liar:

 

[OrangeAgain]

I think some of us here are using the terms "trickle chargers", and "battery maintainers" synonymously.

Correct in my case too. I have the Deltran Battery Tender.

 

[ultrarunner]

I have an old 1960's charger that brings back batteries modern chargers won't... and yes it sometimes gets hot so I charge outside with plenty of ventilation.

Explained to me it is the off gassing of Hydrogen that is explosive... no accumulation of Hydrogen no chance for explosion.

As the water level drops from over charging the area that previously had water/electrolyte can now accumulate Hydrogen.

The Battery rebuilder told me to always check and top off the cells with distilled water and remove the caps when fast charging... of course this was when batteries had easily removable caps.

 

[coobie]

I have a nearby Kioti dealer, John Deere dealer, Kubota dealer and O'Reilly Auto Parts. Do any of those have better batteries (reliability & warranty) than the others?

John Deere strong box batteries are great but pricey..