Battery On Charger: Is This Normal?

[jayhanig]

My boat has been sitting in the driveway for a couple of weeks while I wait for some parts. I decided this afternoon to throw the battery charger on it just to keep it topped off. The clamps are directly on the battery posts.... a good solid connection.

Anyway, when I first plugged the charger in (starter battery; not deep cycle), the amps read high for a moment and then settled down to a lower reading. Now, after a good five hours it's still reading at 6 amps. It does not appear to have changed in at least the last two hours. There is a green LED that's supposed to light up when the charge is completed. It hasn't so far.

It strikes me that I've seen batteries that would read high, then cycle down to maybe 2 amps, back and forth, as the charge is completed but I'm not seeing that. Just 6 amps steady.

Is this normal? I could always throw the switch to 100 amps (start position) rather than leaving it in the 15 amp charge position if I need to throw a zap into it. Maybe it just needs a hint?

 

[rallyart]

Re: Battery On Charger: Is This Normal?

Not normal. Check if the battery is hot. After 5 hours a battery that is in good condition should be charged but the problem could be in the battery if it is old or in the charger is it is a charger. If the battery is hot your charger might have adjusted itself to a higher voltage.

 

[jayhanig]

Re: Battery On Charger: Is This Normal?

The battery is of unknown age; I've only owned the boat since late last August. I went downstairs and flipped the Select Function switch on the charger to "start" but did not slide the Select Voltage switch over to "100 amps". The green LED immediately lit and the charge dropped to 2 amps. I felt the battery and it's a little warm but just a little. Outside air temp is still in the low 80s so that may be a small part of it. I went ahead and disconnected the charger and took it back inside.

View attachment 102689

From the left, the first slider is "Select Battery" which would be either normal automotive or deep cycle. I had it set to normal automotive. The second slider is "Select Function" which is either charge or start. I had it on charge. The last slider is for voltage: 100 Amp Start; 15 Amp 12 Volt Auto; 2 Amp 12 Volt Auto, or 15 Amp 6V Manual. I had it on 15 amp 12 volt auto.

In any case, I thank you for answering me.

 

[rallyart]

Re: Battery On Charger: Is This Normal?

It sounds like you've got a good charger and that the battery is OK. I get frustrated by chargers because the difference in voltage to overcharge or work great on 'auto' is small and they don't seem to build many with really good electronics. I guess that's because we buy the ones with all the features but for less money. LOL.
Usually the 'auto' setting will turn the charge off when it reaches the correct voltage and then turn back on after that charge 'soaks in'.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Battery On Charger: Is This Normal?

How many volts did the battery read after you took it off the charger?

 

[robert graham]

Re: Battery On Charger: Is This Normal?

Batteries and chargers have always been a bit mysterious to me, so the day before I'm taking the boat to the river, I remove the battery from the boat, put it on a 2 Amp overnight slow charge, and in the morning put it back in the boat, put muffs on and start the motor. If the battery is fully charged it will spin the motor with strong authority that you can hear and feel. Good Luck!