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Hi Tim,Quote:
Originally Posted by drivesafe
Thank you for the clarification.
I will resume using the charger and see how the process goes in reference to the performance of the battery.
I will post up results after the process and another battery SOC test.
All
Thanks for everyones input to this discussion.
Regards
GIL
Hi Folks,
An update of battery testing and discharge readings.
I performed a battery recondition using my charger with a recondition phase in its 7 stages of operation. I followed Drivesafes procedure detailed above in this thread.
Charge for a day, disconnected overnight.
Battery took 3 days before it no longer went through the recondition stage. ie day 4 did not perform the recondition stage.
I let the charger go to the last float stage and disconnected.
The car sat overnight.
I then performed a battery State Of Charge (SOC) test as detailed above in this thread.
Opened car and bonnet then let it shut down.
Results were:
Start:12.60v headlights off to 12.05v headlights on
After 5 minutes 12.01v
End: 12.29v headlights off to 12.45v after 3 minutes then 12.55v after a further 3 minutes.
I then put the battery on charge for a day with it finishing in the float stage of the charger.
The car was double locked and sat overnight.
The car has no brake controller connected.
I tested the battery voltage each morning via an Anderson connector I have available in the bull bar as follows:
Day 1:12.81v
Day 2:12.77v
Day 3:12.71v
Day 4:12.67v
I will update for as long as the car sits idle (and that could be some time as parts of Vic are again in lockdown.)
Preliminary impressions:
Battery has held up better in SOC test and the discharge readings each morning.
Regards
GIL
Hi Folks,
Further update on battery readings.
The car has not been either unlocked or used.
Day 5:12.66v
Day 6:12.71v -- I don't understand this reading
Day 7:12.64v
Day 8:12.58v
Day 9:12.56v
Observation.
Day 9's reading was where the battery was at Day 6 in the first series prior to reconditioning and SOC.
Melbourne being in lockdown again will provide the opportunity to continue the readings.
Regards to All
GIL
Hi GIL, a small variation like that can be caused by temperature differences.
Hi Folks,
Drivesafe.
That makes perfect sense as we have had overnight temps as low as 1C and high of 9C down in Melb lately. Day time temps have been in the 'teens. Thanks.
Update on the readings of the battery.
Day 10:12.54v
Day 11:12.55v
Day 12:12.53v
Day 13:12.52v
I am pleasantly surprised at how gently the voltage is falling.
Remember the brake controller is still disconnected and the battery has undergone a recondition and SOC test as Drivesafe detailed on earlier posts in this thread. Thanks again.
Maybe his procedures are candidates for a sticky with his permission?
As we are again in lockdown in Melb I will continue taking readings, as the car is going nowhere. Can't claim good fuel economy since that while it is using no fuel, it also is not covering Km's.
Regards
GIL
The recondition may have provided additional capacity, but it seems your brake controller is the culprit for shorter than normal life off charge. That said, depending on the true health of the battery, it might not have the cold crank ability to start it when it does get lower. Time will tell. Keep up the good work.
Sounds like recondition has helped, maybe by reducing sulphation in the cells. I reckon having a solar panel permanently connected to our Defender's battery has extended its life.
Indeed it will.Quote:
Originally Posted by DiscoMick
Hi Folks,
DiscoJeffster
Yes. The brake controller consumption has been educational. My older technology Tekonsha does consume more than the later Tow Pro Elite does and certainly is a major contributor to the time to discharge.
DiscoMick
The recondition has helped. I also have been heartened by the battery life of solar charged batteries. I have had 9 years from the ones in the van. This is one of the reasons I installed a switched Anderson plug (accessible in the bull bar) from the start battery. I can plug the car into the vans solar driven system and keep both the start and Aux batteries charged.
Update on latest readings:
Day 14:12.50v
Day 15:12.48v
Day 16:12.46v
Day 17:12.45v
Regards
GIL
Hi GIL, as a final test to see how well your batteries are REALLY doing. Before your next drive, turn the ignition on but do not start the motor.Quote:
Originally Posted by GIL
Then turn your headlights on and give it a few minutes.
See if the battery voltage drops a bit ( say 0.2v to 0,4v ) then levels out or if it drops well below 12.0v.
This test shows whether your batteries are not just holding their voltage, but are holding their capacity.