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Post by wishforfish on Jul 16, 2012 17:16:17 GMT -5
Well was trying to figure out why my garage smelled like something died and discovered that one of my batteries under the console (these are my deep cycles) went bad. As a matter of fact I have not even touched it yet because it was sizzling and I don't need it to explode. I unplugged my on-board 4 bank charger and am letting it cool.
So, now I have two questions...
1. Any recommendations on batteries?
2. I have heard that it is possible the battery went bad because a bank on my charger didn't shut down automatically. Could it be my charger?
To be fair the batteries are 4 years old and I already had to replace a crank (I have two of those). As little as I fish I won't be looking for crazy expensive batteries but don't want crap either. My charger is a 4 bank Minn Kota if that matters.
Thanks for any help!
Kevin
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Post by CorneliaGale on Jul 16, 2012 17:45:39 GMT -5
First thing I would do is to check the battery, you can take it to any automotive store, or you can check it yourself. Have you had any lighting storms in the area lately, it may have ran in and messed up the charger, I had a BATTCatt which is the forerunner of the MinnKota chargers cooked by lighting. As for batteries, Federated has some good ones, they are made by Deka, they also hare Delco, both are good, I always look at the amount of amps and the weight of the battery, the more it weights the better the battery, might want to think about 31 series batteries. If you need help checking them PM me and I will get in touch with you and tell you how I check them, its a old way but it works.
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Post by mwardncsu on Jul 16, 2012 21:29:01 GMT -5
I've got the AC Delco Voyager M29MF (about the size of a 31) maintenance-free batts for by trolling motor and my house batteries and have read a lot of good things about them.
If you're up for it, spring for the Sears DieHard Platinum Marine AGM's - Grp 31 - they are pricey but Sears often runs on-line sales and you can pick them up at the local store.
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Post by wishforfish on Jul 16, 2012 21:42:19 GMT -5
Thanks guys...I am going to check the battery but my concern with the charger is that it (one bank) is the reason the battery went bad. Would hate to spring for two new ones (gonna do it anyways and just keep the one that is still good as a back up) and have one taken out by a bad charger bank. I just don't know how to see if a charger bank is shutting down when the battery is fully charged. Guess it is one of those watch, wait and watch more situations. I have heard good stuff about the Voyagers as well but sears is a good idea, I had not thought about them up until it was mentioned. They do have a lot of sales...besides if things get bad I'll call SuperStriper and just get one of his 31 surplus batteries from the last 2 years.
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Post by mwardncsu on Jul 16, 2012 21:46:50 GMT -5
Not that you can count on it perhaps if something's gone bad with the charger, but I think you have the same 4-bank MinnKota I have - there are status LEDs on the top that *should* indicate a fault condition - like you said, you'll have to watch it off and on across a charge.....
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Post by CorneliaGale on Jul 16, 2012 21:49:59 GMT -5
You may be able to check the amps with a amp meter once you get it hookied up on a new battery. and make sure its not charging too much, and then like you said its a waiting game to see if it cuts back and off when the battery gets charged, don't know how MinnKota is on service, but the old BattCatt company was great, You could call them and talk to a real person and get answers. Also when you hook it back up you can check the volts on all the batteries and make sure they are all about the same, that might show a problem with the charger to start with.
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Post by alvint on Jul 16, 2012 22:07:22 GMT -5
Auto parts stores and service stations can also do a free "Load Test" on the battery. May be good to have this checked before springing for the battery if the battery is actually OK.
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Post by hotdog on Jul 17, 2012 15:43:36 GMT -5
Wish, the last few batteries I bought have been the Decka AGM. I've been very happy with them.
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Post by dogsbestfriend on Jul 17, 2012 16:53:52 GMT -5
corn has the right idea. check the output from your charger, with a voltage tester. it should put out around 13 volts or so. if thats ok, do the load test. i bought a load tester at harbor freight for 25- 30 bucks. and call the manufacture of the charger, he should be able to inform you about the charger not shutting down. hope its under warranty , i havent seen a on board that was repairable.
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Post by mytoyzfishing on Jul 17, 2012 17:42:39 GMT -5
Another thing to think about/check is if they are not agm batteries when was the last time the fluid levels. If batties go dry you can have problems with them nit charging properly as well as arcing.
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Post by CorneliaGale on Jul 17, 2012 19:55:18 GMT -5
While I have time, this is the way a old guy I used to work with showed me to check batteries about 30 years ago.
What you need
a good volt meter
some clip on leads
two pieces of wire, a old coathanger works fine, about 4" long
Take the caps off the battery
put the wire in each clip on the leads
check the battery post to post, should get a reading of at least 12 volts, may be 13
leave the clip on the postive terminal of the battery, place the end of the wire in the first cell next to the postive terminal you should get a reading of 2.5 volts or close
move the wires one cell over this time you are reading the first two cells, should get the same voltage, do this on all the cells you should get the same reading on all the cells.
If you get a zero voltage on one cell you have a dead cell. If you get a lower reading on one cell like 1.8 and the rest are 2.5 then you have a weak cell, battery with either is no good.
Doing this test I have found more battery problems than with a load tester, If you charge a battery and then load test it most likely it will show up Ok when its not.
Just one thing if you do this be very careful because of the battery acid. I've worked around garages and cars for over 40 years, on lawn mowers all the way up to 2000 hp diesel engines and batteries scare the heck out of me.
And when checking the battery charger you should get a volt reading of no more that 14.2 volts most likely high 13 range, as I said before I don't know about MinnKota but BattCatt had a lifetime warrenty, no questions ask when you sent something back to them. Quest is good about servicing thier units.
Good luck and be careful with the battery
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Post by dogsbestfriend on Jul 17, 2012 20:11:36 GMT -5
corn i am gonna have to disagree with ya there, on the part that ,if you charge a battery ,and put it on a load test that it will show good when it is not,,,, not true. i have used load testers for 20 years where i worked, never once had a battery show good when it was bad. same way with my boat batteries. 4 batteries in my jet and 3 in my glass boat. have worn out many. load testers are great test equipment . this has been my experience.
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Post by mwardncsu on Jul 17, 2012 20:14:01 GMT -5
I figured the load testers at AutoZone or wherever always show bad - regardless ;D
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Post by wishforfish on Jul 17, 2012 20:55:09 GMT -5
No kidding...can't imagine why...
I will say that the guys at Advanced Auto in Moneta saved a fishing trip for me once due to a bad crank battery. The one that went bad was wired with most of my electronics, the other crank I have I primarly use as a reserve so I would have had to rewire all of the electronics to the other side of the boat (The Suzuki motors for some reason unknown to me require more cranking amps so I keep 2 cranks, also if I add more electronics I don't want to rely on one) The guy came out identified the bad battery and even got dirty installing the new one (it was not an easy task based on access and I got to tell you I am glad he did it so I would not have to deal with it). It took him 35 minutes to get it done and he relunctantly accepted a $20 tip for his time but I will say he fought me on that. Normally something as simple as a battery change would be routine maintenance (and this one will be very easy) but I would go there again for this issue if I was closer just to give those fellas some business. Man I can't wait to get back to VA.
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Post by CorneliaGale on Jul 17, 2012 23:31:09 GMT -5
I have had some batteries show up good with a load tester, drove me nuts trying to find out why it would not start, then I used the method above and found a weak cell
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