Checking F150TXRD charging output

[DennisG01]

If you checked the V immediately after removing the charger, that isn't a true test, though. An hour later - or quickly using an accessory on it - is more accurate. Depending on how long you charged it, and with what type of charger (see questions above), it may just not be fully charged yet. It's at least worth it to double check on all this.

Is it a battery that you can add distilled water to? What's the fluid level, if that's the case?

[pstephens46]

what are you charging it with?
was it only putting out 12.75?
and how many amps where you putting into it and for how long?
what was the battery voltage before you started charging it?

Viking automatic battery charger. Auto setting for a couple hours. 12.3 starting voltage. Fluid level is full all cells. Pulled out of boat tonight which is aggravating as sht. Bad awkward lifting angle. Charged some more on auto. Maybe an hour and back to 12.75. After another hour, back to 12.55.

going to try the recondition button on charger, just for the hell of it

[Keithbaja]

Just a side note. Worst marine corporate is in my area and I used to know a lot folks working there. Called and discussed for many YRs about wing nuts are not up to ABYC standards and how often I'd make a quick buck at the ramp & marina. Just by tightening them with a screw driver (sideways) only took them 20 some YRs to get it right. (SS nuts. No locking) Dennis G is correct. If in the boat I turn the blower on for a few

[99yam40]

Viking automatic battery charger. Auto setting for a couple hours. 12.3 starting voltage. Fluid level is full all cells. Pulled out of boat tonight which is aggravating as sht. Bad awkward lifting angle. Charged some more on auto. Maybe an hour and back to 12.75. After another hour, back to 12.55.

going to try the recondition button on charger, just for the hell of it

I would leave the bat on charger over night or all day to make sure it is fully charged.
I guess that charger does not give you info on how many amps it is putting into the battery as it is charging

[pstephens46]

I would leave the bat on charger over night or all day to make sure it is fully charged.
I guess that charger does not give you info on how many amps it is putting into the battery as it is charging

The recondition mode seems to have helped. I was watching the charging voltage during that time and it started at about 12.5 and ended up about 14.5 as it finished up. The battery held steady at 13 volts before putting back it boat. Cranked the motor about 7-8 times and seems stable. My house #2 battery is actually 7 years old and will be replaced. No wing nuts used on my batteries!

[DennisG01]

The recondition mode seems to have helped. I was watching the charging voltage during that time and it started at about 12.5 and ended up about 14.5 as it finished up. The battery held steady at 13 volts before putting back it boat. Cranked the motor about 7-8 times and seems stable. My house #2 battery is actually 7 years old and will be replaced. No wing nuts used on my batteries!

What I was talking about above was a "surface charge". Charging for only a short time is ineffective. If you've now charged over night, that is better. A small, low amp, maintenance type charge will typically need AT LEAST a day, if not two or three (or longer) to fully charge a battery.

How long did it hold the 13V? You have to be more specific with what you write so we better understand. For example, a question was asked about your battery charger and it's charging amps.

BUT... now that you started the engine (gets rid of surface charge) and the battery has set for a while, measure the V again.

But, but... I don't recall if this was mentioned... if you are confident that you've fully charged the battery, get it load tested at a local auto parts store. That will be much more informative to it's "health".

Notes... if all is good, put the charger on for a week straight in it's conditioning mode (assuming it's a quality unit). Also, need to find out what was drawing the battery down in the first place.

[pstephens46]

What I was talking about above was a "surface charge". Charging for only a short time is ineffective. If you've now charged over night, that is better. A small, low amp, maintenance type charge will typically need AT LEAST a day, if not two or three (or longer) to fully charge a battery.

How long did it hold the 13V? You have to be more specific with what you write so we better understand. For example, a question was asked about your battery charger and it's charging amps.

BUT... now that you started the engine (gets rid of surface charge) and the battery has set for a while, measure the V again.

But, but... I don't recall if this was mentioned... if you are confident that you've fully charged the battery, get it load tested at a local auto parts store. That will be much more informative to it's "health".

Notes... if all is good, put the charger on for a week straight in it's conditioning mode (assuming it's a quality unit). Also, need to find out what was drawing the battery down in the first place.

The battery held steady at 13 for 12 hours, not hooked up to anything. No indication of charging amps on the charger.

My assumption is that three months of storage was not ideal. Remote area with no way to hook up a charger. Another example of not using a boat leading to issues…..

[99yam40]

The battery held steady at 13 for 12 hours, not hooked up to anything. No indication of charging amps on the charger.

if it held for 12 hours, how long did you charge it before you disconnected and measured the voltage.
You really need to get something to measure DC amps since the charger does not tell you how much it is putting out.
That charger much have some type of amp rating on it
Even the cheap old trickle chargers had amp meters built into them

As was said sometimes it takes many hours to charge a battery depending on how dead it was and how many amps the charger will put out

[DennisG01]

I would think your voltmeter is off a bit as a brand new battery is about 12.8V - but the exact voltage is not really the issue - it's OK if it's not completely accurate, we can work around that.

Holding for 12 hours sounds good. But you really should do a load test.

If the storage was with nothing attached, it should have been perfectly fine. Something had to be attached to draw it down like that - or the battery is kaput. The answer HAS to be one of those two things.

IF there really is no info on the charger about what it can do, it's gotta be a cheapo. I would toss that and get a good one. If you're looking for a inexpensive (but good quality) maintainer, iook at Battery Minder. It doesn't charge fast, but is an excellent maintainer and can be left on year round.

[Keithbaja]

Unfortunately, folks think that all batts and chargers are the same...... Outboards (Almost ALL) should be running flooded Cranking or dual purpose. If your using gel, deep cycle or AGM, the regulator is not set to charge those batts. If you read (novel concept) the owners manual your sea it says Cranking non maintenance free battery. Almost impossible to find now. CDI marine electronics recommend a DEKA batt... Arrg, now I got to Find a invoice or call my parts place for the correct number........ To be continued....... Of the 4 types of batts. Each design has its own charging rates.. Its not the same across the board.. Do NOT use optima... Nope, not, good lord, hell no.
women, fish, battery's are the most misunderstood by all good intended men.....
...
.....,

[pstephens46]

Unfortunately, folks think that all batts and chargers are the same...... Outboards (Almost ALL) should be running flooded Cranking or dual purpose. If your using gel, deep cycle or AGM, the regulator is not set to charge those batts. If you read (novel concept) the owners manual your sea it says Cranking non maintenance free battery. Almost impossible to find now. CDI marine electronics recommend a DEKA batt... Arrg, now I got to Find a invoice or call my parts place for the correct number........ To be continued....... Of the 4 types of batts. Each design has its own charging rates.. Its not the same across the board.. Do NOT use optima... Nope, not, good lord, hell no.
women, fish, battery's are the most misunderstood by all good intended men.....
...
.....,

Yamaha F-150 manual states nothing about a starting battery. It reads a fully charged battery with cold cranking amps of 512. Marine Cranking amps of 675. Min reserve of 182 minutes. That’s it. My start battery now has 1000 cranking amps.

[Keithbaja]

OK, I'm wrong. And I guess Im no longer work as a electrical Spe******t.. Damn, Folks were So happy with my Experience, Knowledge and Training. So CDI Electronics USA Wrong also ? Burger King, here I come. Call and talk to Clark at CDI. He's their Tech Support guy. Very knowledgeable.
BTW I have not read every single owners manual. Dont need to. "Tight Lines"

[pstephens46]

Where is Rodbolt?

[99yam40]

he flew the coop

[Keithbaja]

Pstep, since your not paying my 95hr cash with no estimate that's booked out 4/5 weeks this time of yr. With folks that will gladly wait until I can get to them. 1st in my book is Patrol and SAR vessels, 2nd is boats with kids from out of town. Like they fly in from out of town for a fishing trip with uncle/grandpal and boat has a issue. You don't understand,,, Sir Rodbolt is a GREAT Tech.. He is not the only one. I don't think he is boat captain let alone a electrical guru, electrical engineer. Diagnostic Master in Fuel injection and Electrical. and As A master Tech, I could consider hireing him out here in cali. If he is close to my skill level he would laugh at me. Remember he works for somebody at a StealerShip.. I don't work for anyone except a owner or prospective purchase Im done with your lack of brain cells. I like and miss Sir Rodbolt. The only guy on this blog that we related to each other Respectfully. He knows I know and I know he knows a lot. But so far as in Electrical in Marine I have found no peer. Well maybe Clark at CDI. I don't need to prove shit to u or anyone. I went out my way to give unquestionably good advice. You seem to be sitting on a STICK !! Agent 99 said it best, time to fly away from this chicken s--t roost.