Talk of The Villages Florida - Battery Tenders, Battery Life Savers, etc.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by GolfCart (Post 517347)

jimbo2012
fully charged batteries are 51.something so anything around this voltage is better than nothing. I would think 49 to 53 would work, mostly you just don't want them to discharge.

75 is this degree F or C?
if F seams low to me unless its a air conditioned room??

Not sure if 49 is enough, my guess is no. If not you will sulfate the pack.

It is 75 deg F, you don't want batteries to exceed 125 charging.

Why not look for one with a higher rating

I have been using the BM for over 9 months now and I have found it is working for me. The first thing is I use much less water that I have used in the past and my batteries are over 2 1/2 years old and they still are in very good shape. I have been using the BM instead of the bulk charger on smaller ranges like 15 miles or less. The biggest advantage is I can go away for a month without having the balk charge plug in and I know it is desulfation the batteries, and keeping them like new. I would never go away for a period of time and leave my bulk charger on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GolfCart (Post 517291)

Because the Battery Minder is equipped with an at the battery temperature sensor, it will sense temperature rises above the 75 degree mark at which time the Battery Minder reduces its current output by 1/3 amp.

A.J. This is something you were talking about on your setup, looks like it's not a room temp sensor 'per se' its a battery in the room temp sensor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Northern Arizona Wind and Sun, see article in link below

Float voltage for Lead-Acid batteries should be about 2.15 to 2.23 volts per cell, or about 12.9-13.4 volts for a 12 volt battery. At higher temperatures (over 85 degrees F) this should be reduced to about 2.10 volts per cell.

Deep Cycle Battery FAQ

Last time I looked at my pack with BM attached in 'maint mode' for two days, the pack was at 52.6. I did notice that the individual voltages varied from battery to battery. The lowest was at 6.51 (2.17/cell) and the highest was at 6.75 (2.25/cell). I suspect this difference is telling me something, but it is not clear what and I have not had time to further investigate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajbrown (Post 517393)

There are two connectors that came with the BM for temperature sensing. One has a ring connector which can be attached to any battery terminal (+ or -) and one does not connect to anything, simply measuring ambient temp. You use one or the other; I used the one that does not connect to anything as it is easier for me. IMO this is 'close' enough for it's purpose.

Here is some general info I saw regarding float voltages some time ago, not specific to the BM...

Deep Cycle Battery FAQ

Last time I looked at my pack with BM attached in 'maint mode' for two days, the pack was at 52.6. I did notice that the individual voltages varied from battery to battery. The lowest was at 6.51 (2.17/cell) and the highest was at 6.75 (2.25/cell). I suspect this difference is telling me something, but it is not clear what and I have not had time to further investigate.

May not hurt to equalize the pack someday using a auto charger on the low ones