Battery questions

[Schilly]

So i got another battery last year since we were camping in high altitude and ran out after a few days.

Now i have both batteries in my garage on a trickle charge. i charge one battery and when its full i switch over to the other one and recharge that. Usually every other day or so. So every time i switch to the other battery it seems like it is almost empty again. can that be? after just 2-3 days without being on the trickle charger? it doesn;t seem right.
what am i doing wrong?

[oldmanAZ]

How do you determine the battery you are starting to charge is 'almost empty'?

[Schilly]

when i switch the trickle charger over to the other battery the needle on the charger shows me how full or empty the battery is. and usually after just a few days off the charger the battery is only 1/4 or less full.....

[Jagiven]

Have you checked the water levels in the cells? The water level should never get below the top of the cell. Next ONLY use distilled water. Fill to the bottom of the plastic lip.

When you check you battery, what are you using, volt meter? How do you know its discharged? When I put my trickle charger on, it will always cycle through and charge the battery. It will take a day or two for a full cycle.

In the winter I put the trickle charger on each battery a couple times. The rest of the winter it is just sitting, on blocks, holding a charge.

You can take the battery to an auto Zone like place and they can test the battery.

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by Schilly

when i switch the trickle charger over to the other battery the needle on the charger shows me how full or empty the battery is. and usually after just a few days off the charger the battery is only 1/4 or less full.....

Best thing to use is a voltmeter. Then you will know the exact start of charge.

[Schilly]

Thanks. I think I will just have them tested. Just seems weird that they would
Lose their charge that quickly.....maybe having them on the trickle charger constantly wears them out or something

[Harreec]

Are you storing the batteries on a concrete floor because that will discharge them.

[Fire_Instructor]

Originally Posted by Harreec

Are you storing the batteries on a concrete floor because that will discharge them.

That used to be true, but not with the newer plastic battery cases.

ASK THE EXPERTS: Batteries on Concrete | Home Power Magazine