New Battery Discharge.

[SoulRaven]

I have a trailer that is beginning it's second month of inactivity while awaiting a couple of repairs. In the trailer sits 2 new Duracell 6 volt batteries just sitting on the floor doing nothing. 

I did not take a measurement of the charge when I bought them, they are about 3 months old. I'm sure sitting in this heat is not good for them but what sort of discharge will they be down to if installed in the next couple of weeks? 

Hopefully someone can give me an estimate. 

Thanks.

 

[BradKW]

There's no way of knowing without taking initial measurements. Typical self discharge rates for flooded are 5% to 15% per month. Considering that it's quite likely that the batteries were not fully charged when you purchased them, it is also quite likely that they are sitting now deeply discharged and incurring damage the longer they sit without charging.

Get yourself a Battery Hydrometer for about $10, as well as a cheap way to measure voltage.

Even if it means using some cheap car charger during times you are able to monitor charging, figure out a way to get charging asap. Check your water levels first, as even new batteries can be low on distilled water.

 

[SoulRaven]

Thanks Brad, they are in Oklahoma at the repair place. I'll call him Monday and ask him to charge them. I have a hydrometer doing me absolutely no good here.

Thanks again for the reply.

 

[rvpopeye]

If he uses a 12v charger he will have to link in series before charging them as a pair.

 

[Weight]

Hopefully the repair staff knows the difference in voltage.

 

[SoulRaven]

I looked at the drop off day of the trailer and it was 26 April, any damage done by discharge while just sitting , can it be undone? I'm calling him Monday and either going up there or get a promise to hook up a damn charger.

 

[jonyjoe303]

as long as they don't go below 50 percent they will be ok, they are deep cycle. If you let them sit for years doing nothing then you might have problems.

 

[SoulRaven]

Thanks JJ , Hopefully they'll be okay. I'm not a real patient man and between the time for repairs to be done and this battery thing it gets on my last nerve. Thanks for the reply.