new Bps xps charger/ new x2 stowaway 105 AH 182 RC

[Haysc]

Purchased a BPS Xps 4/4 8amp charger yesterday along with two stowaway 27- 105amp hour 182reserve capacity .. plug both batteries up last at around 6pm. Woke up at 430 to go fish and the charger was still going .. I got close to the batts and could hear bubbling .. took em off charger and went fishing... I used one battery and it lasted me from 630-noon trolling the whole time .. when I got back to the ramp it still has 1/3 charge.. I checked before I trolled across the lake (177acres) and it had 2/3 charge so I'm assuming it was a high 1/3 left. After all that my question is.. is that a normal charge time for a first charge or do I need to return the charger or batteries??? The batteries were cool to touch as well.thanks guys

 

[dwparker99]

Re: new Bps xps charger/ new x2 stowaway 105 AH 182 RC

A 4 amp charger is a little low for a group 27 battery, but it will do the job if given enough time. Unless you have situations where you need to charge in a hurry, it should be fine. A new battery will not hold a full charge until it has gone through around 15-20 charge cycles. So, the batteries should get a little stronger after a little use.

Instead of pulling one battery down so far ("1/3 left"), your batteries will last longer if you put them in parallel and pull them down together. Try to keep the discharge less than 50%.

 

[Haysc]

Re: new Bps xps charger/ new x2 stowaway 105 AH 182 RC

I plan on hooking both batts up together ..I just wanted to through them in the boat and check the balance before I bought a jumper .. I bought the 4/4 charge because I have no need to have to charge in a hurry. I'm charging the battery now to see what happens.

 

[Haysc]

Re: new Bps xps charger/ new x2 stowaway 105 AH 182 RC

Update. After charging the battery used yesterday that my gauge said had 1/3 capacity left (next light would be "recharge" the light has turned amber which means conditioning. Next step "go fish" so maybe everything is OK.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: new Bps xps charger/ new x2 stowaway 105 AH 182 RC

When it comes to charging batteries "patience" is the operative word. Look at it this way. Running a trolling motor at its maximum current draw for ONE hour can draw about 50 amps from a battery. To replace that juice from a 4 amp charger means something more than 13 hours is needed. Probably more than that since charging is not linear.

 

[Haysc]

Re: new Bps xps charger/ new x2 stowaway 105 AH 182 RC

Thanks silvertip..i dont care how long it takes .. i was more worried about the health of the batteries due to the slight bubbling.

 

[dwparker99]

Re: new Bps xps charger/ new x2 stowaway 105 AH 182 RC

Thanks silvertip..i dont care how long it takes .. i was more worried about the health of the batteries due to the slight bubbling.

A few suggestions to help ensure a healthy battery:

- Keep the discharge level between 10-50%
- Keep the electrolyte above the plates
- Charge immediately after use
- Ensure the battery gets a full charge. Some chargers give you a green/"Go Fish" light at 90-95% charge. My Noco Gen 3 onboard charger gives a green light at 95% and then provides a "taper-off" charge for a few more hours to bring to 100% charge. Removing the charger at 90-95% charge on occasion will not hurt the battery. Doing it continuously will result in sulfation which will permanently reduce the capacity of the battery.