Weak battery???
I have a four-bank charger, one for the cranker and three for the 36 volt trollers. There are 5 LED red lights on each bank that slowly disappear as the batteries take the charge and then it turns on a green one when complete. Now, the crank battery bank always showed a different display depending on how much I got on the big motor during the day, but the other three banks always seemed to sort of light up in a close pattern with each other. Recently, one of the trolling motor banks shows a fairly full charge and turns green long before the other two. My guess is that one of the batteries is starting to go bad but my operation is really still excellent and the batteries were new last year (factory installed Interstates.) So, my question (finally) is, What do you think? Thanks. Marty Forman
For me, I'd still like to know the reason for the change. In my experience, a lot of things are still working while hidden problems are only showing minor signs of terrible things that are just beyond the horizon. When my first wife was getting a divorce attorney 33 years ago, she was still acting pretty interested in the bed room. There were other signs I missed however until one day when the Sherriff's deputy knocked on the door at 7:00 AM one morning. My biggest fear now is an equipment breakdown during a tournament that I could have prevented with better preparation. I would not even consider going a third year on my battteries, but I thought I could easily get away with two years. So, if anybody knows the answer, I'd still like to hear it. Thanks. Marty
Marty,
That is putting things in a wided eyed perspective! Have all three batteries load tested to be safe, you shouldn't even have to remove them from your boat. We have Batteries Plus stores around here and the guys working there are happy to do the service.
Good luck.
get yourself a digital volt meter. check each battery's "float" voltage without the charger on. and also check to see what the charger is putting to each battery. i removed my 36 volt system since i mainly troll and 2 of the batteries are still holding 12.64 volts (perfect) and one is at 12.63 volts after 6 months without being topped off or charged. for me 12.54 volts in a float mode is the start of knowing a battery is going down hill if it's been charged and won't maintain 12.6 volts. check your water levels in each cell. it could be sulfate starting to build up on one of the cells plates. could be bad/dirty/corroed connections between the batteries. load testing can flake off sulfate and help lengthen the life of a battery sometimes. ( that's the only reason i load test..last resort).
Thanks guys, the cheapest of the suggestions (asking for a free test at Batteries Plus) will be my first stop next time I take the boat out. I appreciate the help.
Marty
they have REALLY come down in price. my first one was well over $300 some 20 yrs ago. this is almost the same and should be fine for your needs.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=37772
or you can get a couple cheaper ones and keep one in the car and one in the boat.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90899
there should be plenty of local places to get digital volt meters near you for almost as cheap.
Marty just go fishing and don't worry unless you have a problem. You can always go have the batteries load tested if you think there is a problem.
David Kuhlmann If you think you can or if you think you cant, youre right! Email: david.kuhlmann@mchsi.com http://www.thenextbite.com/node/1983