Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Re: [Electric Boats] Battery issues

 

I checked my chargers today.
One is an old upright with wheels, meter, fan, and a mechanical/electrical timer - the kind of R2-D2 charger you see in a repair garage. Timer on or off and AC plugged in or not - if there is no AC input it does NOT drain the battery regardless of the setting. 
 
The other charger is a smart charger. VDO electronics  model 12248 from Amazon. It's smart. If the AC goes off it will draw 40 ma for a few seconds and then 23 ma for several minutes before shutting down. When it shuts down there is zero leak-back. I don't know if it checks on it's own to see if the AC has come back online, but it wouldn't surprise me.  
I don't know why it took me so long to get a smart charger; the things they will do for a marginal battery make it pay for itself quickly.
 
I've never known a charger to drain a battery. If it does, it's probably broken.
          Roger L.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 9:30 AM
Subject: RE: [Electric Boats] Battery issues

I have one of the most expensive chargers out there (BRUSA) and it has a built in timer. It will run a trickle charge into the pack for 400 hrs (16 days) then shuts off. I was told that the reason was the company didn't want it running for an extended period of time because if something was wrong the charger would keep pumping into the batteries. When I told them it was for a boat they said that they didn't think about it being used for a boat only a car. Go figure…   

 

Steve in Solomons MD

 


From: electricboats@yahoogroups.com [mailto:electricboats@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of matwete@comcast.net
Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 10:45 AM
To: electricboats@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Electric Boats] Battery issues

 



At 120watts, that's not much of a charger for a decent size e-boat pack...

----- Reply message -----
From: "Roger L" <rogerlov@ix.netcom.com>
To: <electricboats@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [Electric Boats] Battery issues
Date: Tue, Apr 30, 2013 6:47 am


 

Interesting question! I'd have thought that they all did, but then I've been wrong often enough to learn something by now. 

One of the best things I ever got was a clamp-on ammeter. Makes it easy to check, and I'm going to do that today. Let you know....

     Roger L.

 

.............

----- Original Message -----

Sent: Saturday, April 20, 2013 6:23 PM

Subject: Re: [Electric Boats] Battery issues

 

Are there any chargers that will sense the loss of power and protect the battery from discharge?  I am using this charger.  http://www.samsclub.com/sams/stanley-golf-cart-vehicle-6v-48v-battery-charger/prod1841149.ip

--- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, Robert Lemke <robert-lemke@...> wrote:
>
> Sounds like battery discharge through the charger when the circuit breaker trips. Nothing kills a battery like being discharged for any length of time.
> Bob
>
> --- On Sat, 4/20/13, magicflyer@... <potedenuni@...> wrote:
>
> From: magicflyer@... <potedenuni@...>
> Subject: [Electric Boats] Battery issues
> To: electricboats@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Saturday, April 20, 2013, 9:29 AM
>
> I have been experiencing battery issues. I have a 48v system (4x12 wet cell) on a fairly new trickle charger. After only a couple of months, all four batteries had to be replaced...wouldn't take or hold a charge. The new batteries have been in only about 6 weeks and already I am only able to get to 47.5v. I fear the new batteries are already shot. I have been having a problem with the shore power breaker tripping which leaves the boat with no power for several days at a time, but can't see how that would be damaging the batteries. Can anyone give me any pointers on common problems that might be damaging the cells?
>
> Thank you!
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>



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RE: [Electric Boats] Battery issues

 

Hey Doc.

Do the battery manufactures recommend a charger and schedule?

 

Gerry in Limbo


From: electricboats@yahoogroups.com [mailto:electricboats@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Steve Dolan
Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 11:31 AM
To: electricboats@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [Electric Boats] Battery issues

 

 

I have one of the most expensive chargers out there (BRUSA) and it has a built in timer. It will run a trickle charge into the pack for 400 hrs (16 days) then shuts off. I was told that the reason was the company didn’t want it running for an extended period of time because if something was wrong the charger would keep pumping into the batteries. When I told them it was for a boat they said that they didn’t think about it being used for a boat only a car. Go figure…   

 

Steve in Solomons MD

 


From: electricboats@yahoogroups.com [mailto:electricboats@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of matwete@comcast.net
Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 10:45 AM
To: electricboats@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Electric Boats] Battery issues

 



At 120watts, that's not much of a charger for a decent size e-boat pack...

----- Reply message -----
From: "Roger L" <rogerlov@ix.netcom.com>
To: <electricboats@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [Electric Boats] Battery issues
Date: Tue, Apr 30, 2013 6:47 am


 

Interesting question! I'd have thought that they all did, but then I've been wrong often enough to learn something by now. 

One of the best things I ever got was a clamp-on ammeter. Makes it easy to check, and I'm going to do that today. Let you know....

     Roger L.

 

.............

----- Original Message -----

Sent: Saturday, April 20, 2013 6:23 PM

Subject: Re: [Electric Boats] Battery issues

 

Are there any chargers that will sense the loss of power and protect the battery from discharge?  I am using this charger.  http://www.samsclub.com/sams/stanley-golf-cart-vehicle-6v-48v-battery-charger/prod1841149.ip

--- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, Robert Lemke <robert-lemke@...> wrote:
>
> Sounds like battery discharge through the charger when the circuit breaker trips. Nothing kills a battery like being discharged for any length of time.
> Bob
>
> --- On Sat, 4/20/13, magicflyer@... <potedenuni@...> wrote:
>
> From: magicflyer@... <potedenuni@...>
> Subject: [Electric Boats] Battery issues
> To: electricboats@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Saturday, April 20, 2013, 9:29 AM
>
> I have been experiencing battery issues. I have a 48v system (4x12 wet cell) on a fairly new trickle charger. After only a couple of months, all four batteries had to be replaced...wouldn't take or hold a charge. The new batteries have been in only about 6 weeks and already I am only able to get to 47.5v. I fear the new batteries are already shot. I have been having a problem with the shore power breaker tripping which leaves the boat with no power for several days at a time, but can't see how that would be damaging the batteries. Can anyone give me any pointers on common problems that might be damaging the cells?
>
> Thank you!
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>



------------------------------------

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RE: [Electric Boats] Battery issues

 

I have one of the most expensive chargers out there (BRUSA) and it has a built in timer. It will run a trickle charge into the pack for 400 hrs (16 days) then shuts off. I was told that the reason was the company didn’t want it running for an extended period of time because if something was wrong the charger would keep pumping into the batteries. When I told them it was for a boat they said that they didn’t think about it being used for a boat only a car. Go figure…   

 

Steve in Solomons MD

 


From: electricboats@yahoogroups.com [mailto:electricboats@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of matwete@comcast.net
Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 10:45 AM
To: electricboats@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Electric Boats] Battery issues

 



At 120watts, that's not much of a charger for a decent size e-boat pack...

----- Reply message -----
From: "Roger L" <rogerlov@ix.netcom.com>
To: <electricboats@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [Electric Boats] Battery issues
Date: Tue, Apr 30, 2013 6:47 am


 

Interesting question! I'd have thought that they all did, but then I've been wrong often enough to learn something by now. 

One of the best things I ever got was a clamp-on ammeter. Makes it easy to check, and I'm going to do that today. Let you know....

     Roger L.

 

.............

----- Original Message -----

Sent: Saturday, April 20, 2013 6:23 PM

Subject: Re: [Electric Boats] Battery issues

 

Are there any chargers that will sense the loss of power and protect the battery from discharge?  I am using this charger.  http://www.samsclub.com/sams/stanley-golf-cart-vehicle-6v-48v-battery-charger/prod1841149.ip

--- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, Robert Lemke <robert-lemke@...> wrote:
>
> Sounds like battery discharge through the charger when the circuit breaker trips. Nothing kills a battery like being discharged for any length of time.
> Bob
>
> --- On Sat, 4/20/13, magicflyer@... <potedenuni@...> wrote:
>
> From: magicflyer@... <potedenuni@...>
> Subject: [Electric Boats] Battery issues
> To: electricboats@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Saturday, April 20, 2013, 9:29 AM
>
> I have been experiencing battery issues. I have a 48v system (4x12 wet cell) on a fairly new trickle charger. After only a couple of months, all four batteries had to be replaced...wouldn't take or hold a charge. The new batteries have been in only about 6 weeks and already I am only able to get to 47.5v. I fear the new batteries are already shot. I have been having a problem with the shore power breaker tripping which leaves the boat with no power for several days at a time, but can't see how that would be damaging the batteries. Can anyone give me any pointers on common problems that might be damaging the cells?
>
> Thank you!
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>



------------------------------------

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Re: [Electric Boats] Battery issues

 

At 120watts, that's not much of a charger for a decent size e-boat pack...

----- Reply message -----
From: "Roger L" <rogerlov@ix.netcom.com>
To: <electricboats@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [Electric Boats] Battery issues
Date: Tue, Apr 30, 2013 6:47 am


 

Interesting question! I'd have thought that they all did, but then I've been wrong often enough to learn something by now. 
One of the best things I ever got was a clamp-on ammeter. Makes it easy to check, and I'm going to do that today. Let you know....
     Roger L.
 
.............
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, April 20, 2013 6:23 PM
Subject: Re: [Electric Boats] Battery issues

Are there any chargers that will sense the loss of power and protect the battery from discharge?  I am using this charger.  http://www.samsclub.com/sams/stanley-golf-cart-vehicle-6v-48v-battery-charger/prod1841149.ip

--- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, Robert Lemke <robert-lemke@...> wrote:
>
> Sounds like battery discharge through the charger when the circuit breaker trips. Nothing kills a battery like being discharged for any length of time.
> Bob
>
> --- On Sat, 4/20/13, magicflyer@... <potedenuni@...> wrote:
>
> From: magicflyer@... <potedenuni@...>
> Subject: [Electric Boats] Battery issues
> To: electricboats@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Saturday, April 20, 2013, 9:29 AM
>
> I have been experiencing battery issues. I have a 48v system (4x12 wet cell) on a fairly new trickle charger. After only a couple of months, all four batteries had to be replaced...wouldn't take or hold a charge. The new batteries have been in only about 6 weeks and already I am only able to get to 47.5v. I fear the new batteries are already shot. I have been having a problem with the shore power breaker tripping which leaves the boat with no power for several days at a time, but can't see how that would be damaging the batteries. Can anyone give me any pointers on common problems that might be damaging the cells?
>
> Thank you!
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>



------------------------------------

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<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/electricboats/

<*> Your email settings:
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<*> To change settings online go to:
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Re: [Electric Boats] Battery issues

 

Back in the old, old days...  When a cheap charger was basically just a small transformer, YES, the battery could easily discharge back through the charger if the charger was unplugged (I remember my father being VERY upset with when I unplugged the boat charger and forgot to plug it back in one night, long, long ago...)

One would expect that any *reasonable* charger should have a $.05 diode in it to protect against such a thing.

I don't know if current chargers are as bad about *discharging* the battery if the power to the charger is unplugged.   But I have seen a number of cases where the today's "smart" chargers won't charge a battery if the battery voltage has gone down too low.  Sample case, if you have a constant drain on the batter (i.e. lights, radio, etc.) and the charger gets unplugged for a LONG time, the battery may get discharged enough that even if the charger is plugged back in, it still won't charge, and the load takes the battery down to nothing...


From: Steve Dolan <sdolan@scannersllc.com>
To: "electricboats@yahoogroups.com" <electricboats@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 9:29 AM
Subject: RE: [Electric Boats] Battery issues

 
Where did I read something about cheap chargers not being isolated and power draining through the Negative? Something Like that….
 
Steve in Solomons MD

From: electricboats@yahoogroups.com [mailto: electricboats@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of Roger L
Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 9:48 AM
To: electricboats@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Electric Boats] Battery issues
 



Interesting question! I'd have thought that they all did, but then I've been wrong often enough to learn something by now. 
One of the best things I ever got was a clamp-on ammeter. Makes it easy to check, and I'm going to do that today. Let you know....
     Roger L.
 
.............
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, April 20, 2013 6:23 PM
Subject: Re: [Electric Boats] Battery issues
 
Are there any chargers that will sense the loss of power and protect the battery from discharge?  I am using this charger.  http://www.samsclub.com/sams/stanley-golf-cart-vehicle-6v-48v-battery-charger/prod1841149.ip

--- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, Robert Lemke <robert-lemke@...> wrote:
>
> Sounds like battery discharge through the charger when the circuit breaker trips. Nothing kills a battery like being discharged for any length of time.
> Bob
>
> --- On Sat, 4/20/13, magicflyer@... <potedenuni@...> wrote:
>
> From: magicflyer@... <potedenuni@...>
> Subject: [Electric Boats] Battery issues
> To: electricboats@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Saturday, April 20, 2013, 9:29 AM
>
> I have been experiencing battery issues. I have a 48v system (4x12 wet cell) on a fairly new trickle charger. After only a couple of months, all four batteries had to be replaced...wouldn't take or hold a charge. The new batteries have been in only about 6 weeks and already I am only able to get to 47.5v. I fear the new batteries are already shot. I have been having a problem with the shore power breaker tripping which leaves the boat with no power for several days at a time, but can't see how that would be damaging the batteries. Can anyone give me any pointers on common problems that might be damaging the cells?
>
> Thank you!
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>



------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links

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<*> To change settings online go to:
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<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
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<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
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