klammer76

By accident, I left the key in the on position a few days ago and when we went to go out today what do we find but a completly dead battery. The battery is an Interstate battery, new in April, I charged it for 10 hours with the charger set on 2 amps. The battery read 12.7 volts when I unpluged it for the night. Just checked it and it's down to 12.3 volts. I want to use the car tomorrow. Is it ok to charge at 6 amps for a few hours to bring it up to full charge? I believe full charge is around 12.8 volts, is that correct?

Thanks,
Klammer

pewter99

I would think it should be ok as is....start it and drive for awhile tommorow...if you had a trickle charger that would be different

rws.1

repeated deep discharge and hi amp recharge are not a good thing.
There are two opposing theories on what do do in the state you are in....
put on the high amp charger or
let the generator(alternator) finish the charge.
Some claim the fast charge will hurt the load capability of the battery
Some claim the extra load on the alternator may overheat and damage its electronics...
The safest way is a slow longer term charge...

If the car will start with your battery, I would just drive it....if not put on the 6 amp charger

pawngod

yep...i agree

hotwheels57

Heat is the enemy of most batteries. Charging it at a low rate for a longer time might bring it back...might not.

klammer76

Put the battery in and it started fine. My question really was should the battery be charged at 2 or 6 amps. I did the 2 amp & it worked fine.

Thanks,
Klammer

Dave68

According to AC Delco, optimum charge for a glass mat battery is closer to 10 amps. Why take forever to charge it when a higher current not only gets the job done much faster, but is also better for the battery?

Vette_Fan

I went out of country for about 6 months. Left the battery connected. Its totally drained by now. DO I charge it using a certain charger (if so, plz suggest), or shall I just use a jumper cable and my dad's Lincoln to jump start it ?

Thanks...

DropTheTop

Get a Battery Tender, or equivalent.

mrm1149

I keep mine hooked up to a phase charger when I don't anticipate using it for a few days. Step charges Bulk, Absorption, and Float.

Vette_Fan

Guys, Can someone plz tell me IF I should charge the battery using a battery charger, or should I get a jump from another car ? And the benefit of doing one over the other...

mrm1149

this is the one I use, search for Statpower(that's the brand name)



Micro-processor controlled, 10 amp continuous duty, multi-stage battery charger, hardwire version. The 10tb was formerly called the 10hw.


Designed to be hard wired into your electrical system, the TRUECHARGE 10TB is ideal for batteries from 25 amp-hours to 200 amp-hours. The multi-stage charge is microprocessor-controlled, ripple-free and faster charging than many 15, 20, and 30 amp rated ferroresonant battery chargers.
The accurate delivery of the three-stage charge eliminates the risk of overcharged or boiled batteries. The ripple-free, filtered DC output helps prolong the life of batteries.