Leisure Battery charging to 80%

[Trevor Wbm]

Hi, I've searched the forums but haven't found an answer to this .... I have a leisure battery that will only charge to 80%. Is that worth keeping?

 

[eddie]

How do you know?

 

[rod_vw]

Do you have an old style split charge with just a relay that is fitted to a modern Euro6 vehicle with stop-start?

Such vehicles only ever charge the engine battery to 80% so if you've only got a simple split charge system the leisure battery will only ever get that level of charge at best.

If you've got a B2B system, maybe the settings are wrong.

 

[Lenny HB]

I don't see how you can say it will only charge to 80%

Is what you are trying to say that it's capacity has dropped to 80%.
If it is about 7 years old that's about what I would expect if only 2 or 3 years old I would change it before it lets you down.

 

[PhilandMena]

Hi, I've searched the forums but haven't found an answer to this .... I have a leisure battery that will only charge to 80%. Is that worth keeping?

I assume you have some form of battery monitor that is telling you its only charged to 80% of its total capacity and/or your using a voltage chart after charging and estimating the charge level from the chart ??
Its hard to tell what's going on as you don't say what type of batteries you have, how long you have had them and how they have been used.
I would advise you check the voltge of your batteries with a digital volt meter to confirm the actual voltage during and after charge. If they are getting 13.6-14.4 when being charged you will know your charger is working correctly and if after a long charge being disconnected and rested, your not getting 12.7 V plus they are on there way out IMO. It may also be a calibration issue with your monitor if this is where your getting your information from but in fairness to Funsters you really need to provide a bit more information if you want them to make an informed opinion. I do hope there not AGM as it could make Lenny HB weekend
Edit: I thought I should mention I have a lot of time and respect for Lenny and have enjoyed his company in the past, but will never forgive him for taking the piss out of my portable step.

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[Lenny HB]

I assume you have some form of battery monitor that is telling you its only charged to 80%

I will add never rely on percentage readings on a battery monitor unless you have set it up so it reads correctly. It took me over a week of playing around with settings to get mine accurate and I'm reasonably confident in what I'm doing.

 

[PhilandMena]

I will add never rely on percentage readings on a battery monitor unless you have set it up so it reads correctly. It took me over a week of playing around with settings to get mine accurate and I'm reasonably confident in what I'm doing.

What a shame ! Did you run out of fingers to complete the calculations.

 

[Lenny HB]

What a shame ! Did you run out of fingers to complete the calculations.

You can buy the beers next time we meet cheeky.

 

[Trevor Wbm]

How do you know?

Do you have an old style split charge with just a relay that is fitted to a modern Euro6 vehicle with stop-start?

Such vehicles only ever charge the engine battery to 80% so if you've only got a simple split charge system the leisure battery will only ever get that level of charge at best.

If you've got a B2B system, maybe the settings are wrong.

I assume you have some form of battery monitor that is telling you its only charged to 80% of its total capacity and/or your using a voltage chart after charging and estimating the charge level from the chart ??
Its hard to tell what's going on as you don't say what type of batteries you have, how long you have had them and how they have been used.
I would advise you check the voltge of your batteries with a digital volt meter to confirm the actual voltage during and after charge. If they are getting 13.6-14.4 when being charged you will know your charger is working correctly and if after a long charge being disconnected and rested, your not getting 12.7 V plus they are on there way out IMO. It may also be a calibration issue with your monitor if this is where your getting your information from but in fairness to Funsters you really need to provide a bit more information if you want them to make an informed opinion. I do hope there not AGM as it could make Lenny HB weekend
Edit: I thought I should mention I have a lot of time and respect for Lenny and have enjoyed his company in the past, but will never forgive him for taking the piss out of my portable step.

Thanks all. I treated myself to a fancy battery charger that to be honest I'm playing with at the moment - I have a new leisure battery in van, this is one that I took out before it packed in as it was about 5 years old. I can't find any indication as to what's inside it - but given the lack of holes to top up the acid, I assume it's gel. (SFL 100ah)

After being on all night, charger said 80% and 13.7 volts. I assume that's usable, but not for long. Was hoping it might be good enough to donate to daughter as she's allowed her leisure battery to fully discharge, so it's potentially pooped.

Battery is currently in 'Recover' mode on the charger, just to see what happens.

 

[Lenny HB]

Battery is currently in 'Recover' mode on the charger, just to see what happens.

If it is a Gel that will bugger it.

If your charger is a proper 3stage charger it should charge up to 14.3 -14.7 depending on tyre of battery it is set to, then hold that voltage for the absorption phase which will depend on the battery type & charger anything from 1 to 16 hours then drop to a float voltage of 13.6 - 13.8 v.

A photo of the battery & charger would help.

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[PhilandMena]

You can buy the beers next time we meet cheeky.

It will be my honour to do that! I did mention you in despatches at the bottom of post #5. Mena asked me if I had forgotten to take my medication again.

 

[pappajohn]

(SFL 100ah)

I would say that's a
Sealed Flooded Lead
which also accounts for the lack of fill holes

 

[bigtwin]

I would say that's a
Sealed Flooded Lead
which also accounts for the lack of fill holes

Sealed for Life?

Ian