How low can I go

[howardsells2000]

I bought a new marine battery. I checked the voltage when I first got it. 12.7 now I have been using it and it is 12.2. How low can I let it get before I recharge it? I have a charger with 2/10/50 amps charging capabilities. Im planning on using 10 amp to recharge it.

 

[sidat202]

They are designed to drain and recharge.<br />If you run it dead just make sure you recharge it soon.<br />Don't leave it drained very long. That will reduce the life.

 

[howardsells2000]

How many volts is dead? 10?

 

[sidat202]

I would recharge&nbsp;before it drops below 12.

 

[wandering mike]

there are a lot of smart people on this forum who will hopefully chime in, but you really shouldn't go below 40% or 50% as I understand it. &nbsp;And for reference, 50% is about 12.1 volts at 62 degrees&nbsp;Fahrenheit&nbsp;by a spreadsheet I have. &nbsp;If you go lower, you will damage your battery and get a shorter life. &nbsp;Or that is what the smart people I believe have said on various forums and websites.

 

[SoulRaven]

Batteries should never be run down below 12.2, which is at half of the batteries amps... Below 12.2 and this starts to hurt the battery, shortening its life...

 

[Nemo]

Agreed, I never take mine below 12.2 unless theres a critical reason to, but at that point I know I'm shortening it's life.<br /><br />

Batteries should never be run down below 12.2, which is at half of the batteries amps... Below 12.2 and this starts to hurt the battery, shortening its life...

 

[VanTrekker]

12.2 is all the lower I would ever go but so far, these batteries have never gotten there.&nbsp; The&nbsp;solar panel helps prevent that.&nbsp; Now I'm even thinking about putting a tiny little solar panel up for the starting battery, too!<br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0PNKH1Rf9...y+State+_+Voltage+for+lead+acid+batteries.png" alt="" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here's a handy chart that I put on my blog.&nbsp; I keep a laminated copy of it in the van for quick reference.&nbsp; There is also a voltmeter mounted on the wooden bulkhead wall.&nbsp; That way "old lazy bones" doesn't have to get out of bed to check the status of the house batteries.&nbsp;&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MOx3BIuUYu4/Tz7fZZEFkzI/AAAAAAAAAhU/gcKKOJK5LE0/s320/Voltmeter2.jpg" alt="" /><br /><br />(Charger is in the bulk phase at this point)<br /><br /><br />V.T.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;