Charging a battery
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: New York
Charging a battery
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
Thanks,
Klammer
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
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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
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
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
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
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
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?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,675
Likes: 58
From: Hayward (Bay Area) CA
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...
Thanks...
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Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,675
Likes: 58
From: Hayward (Bay Area) CA
Originally Posted by 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...
Thanks...
And the benefit of doing one over the other...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 9,369
Likes: 4
From: Zephyrhills, Florida
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
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.
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.