Are my batteries ok (1 Viewer)

[Coolbeanz]

When we sold the motorhome last week we removed our 2 110ah leisure batteries and put them in the garage ready to go in to our next MH. Will they be okay or is there anything I need to be aware of or do to protect their life?

 

[GJH]

Do they have an indicator (Green charged, White low, Red discharged). If so you can keep an eye on it otherwise it's a bit of guesswork. I have an old LB which I do the former with and charge from time to time with a Lidl charger similar to the one they have on special from the 16th.

 

[tinkering]

Battery storeage

First thing is, keep them off a Concrete floor.

Put them on a trickle charge, lower the better 2...5 amps.

They should last for years:thumb:

Les

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[Jaws]

Beat me to it.. I do not think anyone knows why but put a battery on a concrete floor and it will end up dead as a dodo

Put them on a bench if possible, but if not on a bit of wood up on a couple of bricks

I actually sell a tiny battery charger specifically for keeping batteries JUST ticking over nicely.. They are under a tenner and available in loads of places :thumb:

 

[pappajohn]

concrete floor discharge....twaddle !!!

Fact or Fiction

Well, is it true? Will a battery be damaged or discharged by letting it sit on concrete? NO!
Why then do so many people believe that concrete is a battery enemy? Years ago, batteries could have been electrically discharged by sitting on a concrete floor. My dad, for instance, owned an automotive shop for many years. In fact, I grew up on a creeper. My dad reminded me time after time, "Set that battery on wood! I know batteries discharge on concrete because I’ve witnessed it!" And he was right at that time.

Historical Basis

You see, the myth that concrete drains batteries does have some historical basis. Many, many years ago, wooden battery cases encased a glass jar with the battery inside. Any moisture on the floor could cause the wood to swell and possibly fracture the glass, causing it to leak. Later came the introduction of the hard rubber cases, which were somewhat porous and had a high-carbon content. An electrical current could be conducted through this container if the moist concrete floor permitted the current to find an electrical ground. The wise advice of the old days to "keep batteries off concrete" has been passed down to us today, but it no longer applies because of the advanced technology of today’s batteries.

Today’s Technology

For more than a decade, automotive and commercial battery containers have been made of polypropylene, which is a highly insulative material. In fact, the Interstate Batteries poly material is at least five times more insulative than the old hard rubber. Also, tremendous technological improvements have been made in the seals around the posts and the vent systems, which have virtually eliminated electrolyte seepage and migration

 

[pappajohn]

concrete floor or not, your battery will have a low self discharge rate, which will probably be determined by the condition and age.

Put it on a charger for a couple of hours each month and if the battery condition is good it will be ok for many years.

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[PaulyP]

concrete floor discharge....twaddle !!!

Fact or Fiction

Well, is it true? Will a battery be damaged or discharged by letting it sit on concrete? NO!
Why then do so many people believe that concrete is a battery enemy? Years ago, batteries could have been electrically discharged by sitting on a concrete floor. My dad, for instance, owned an automotive shop for many years. In fact, I grew up on a creeper. My dad reminded me time after time, "Set that battery on wood! I know batteries discharge on concrete because I’ve witnessed it!" And he was right at that time.

Historical Basis

You see, the myth that concrete drains batteries does have some historical basis. Many, many years ago, wooden battery cases encased a glass jar with the battery inside. Any moisture on the floor could cause the wood to swell and possibly fracture the glass, causing it to leak. Later came the introduction of the hard rubber cases, which were somewhat porous and had a high-carbon content. An electrical current could be conducted through this container if the moist concrete floor permitted the current to find an electrical ground. The wise advice of the old days to "keep batteries off concrete" has been passed down to us today, but it no longer applies because of the advanced technology of today’s batteries.

Today’s Technology

For more than a decade, automotive and commercial battery containers have been made of polypropylene, which is a highly insulative material. In fact, the Interstate Batteries poly material is at least five times more insulative than the old hard rubber. Also, tremendous technological improvements have been made in the seals around the posts and the vent systems, which have virtually eliminated electrolyte seepage and migration

So now you have been told !!!!





But keep if of a concrete floor just in case

 

[pappajohn]

spill battery acid on concrete and you'll regret it for years.

I used a kettle of boiling water to wash off the seriously accumulated green/white 'fur' off a batteries posts.

When i moved the car the concrete was a lovely shade of caramac brown ahd nothing would clean it....still stained 20 years on.

 

[Taran_Las]

I have a vehicle battery which has been sat on the concrete garage floor since July 2013, Trickle charged for 10 minutes once only and it still shows 12.6 volts.:thumb:

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[Coolbeanz]

Thanks for all the info guys, so basically if I don't pick up another MH this weekend I probably need to buy a battery charger just in case it takes a while to find a replacement. I was about to send hubby rushing out to the garage to move them off the floor but luckily I can now leave him to finish cooking my dinner

 

[B-well]

[HI]But keep if of a concrete floor just in case [/HI]

Paulyp I agree keep it in a case, this will solve the issue.

 

[tinkering]

I have a vehicle battery which has been sat on the concrete garage floor since July 2013, Trickle charged for 10 minutes once only and it still shows 12.6 volts.:thumb:

A fully charged 12volt battery should be showing at least 13.4 volts,your
battery is nearly flat.

Ten minutes charge with a bog standard charger will not have even started the electrolyte gassing process.(don't forget to keep your battery off the concrete):hardhat:

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[pappajohn]

A fully charged 12volt battery should be showing at least 13.4 volts,your
battery is nearly flat.

Ten minutes charge with a bog standard charger will not have even started the electrolyte gassing process.(don't forget to keep your battery off the concrete):hardhat:

a fully charged, but unloaded, battery will show 12.7v a couple of hours after being removed from charge.

13.6v is a standard 'float/maintenance charge' voltage when on charge and for a short period after removal from charge and slowly drop to 12.7v.

12.2v unloaded is recognised as flat.

 

[SomeoneElse]

Next Thursday get one of these. Just £13.99 and ideal for keeping a battery nicely charged.

http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/SID-3...our-offers-2491.htm?action=showDetail&id=9103

Gordon

 

[cmcardle75]

Thanks for all the info guys, so basically if I don't pick up another MH this weekend I probably need to buy a battery charger just in case it takes a while to find a replacement. I was about to send hubby rushing out to the garage to move them off the floor but luckily I can now leave him to finish cooking my dinner

It only needs charging about every 3 months, provided it was full to start with. Personally, I'd prefer an every 3 month charge to a constant trickle, although both will be much better than leaving it.

Also, I don't practice what I preach. My batteries remain connected to the solar all year.

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