Battery charging question

steplift20 · #1 03-24-2018, 03:51 PM

My battery charger has 4 settings, 2 amp 6 amp 6 volts 12 volts, when I put it on 6 amps 12 volts it charges the battery around 16 volts, but when I put it on 2 amp it charges around 13.7 volts that's where I have it now, do you think I'm over charging the battery if I leave it over night about 16 hours ?

phatdaddy · #2 03-24-2018, 06:55 PM

The answer depends on the state of the battery. If its completely dead, 6 amps. If has a good charge, low amperage. Also depends if the 2amp setting is a trickle setting or just full on 2 amp charge.

Batteries are like bar b que, low and slow is better

steplift20 · #3 03-24-2018, 09:00 PM

The battery is in good condition it was 12.3 before charging 12 volts at 2 amp charges around 13.7 I think my charger is not working right but it still works, my son took it out of the garbage about 25 years ago I still have it and it works Just needs to be monitored

spareparts · #4 03-24-2018, 10:14 PM

what are you using to check voltage? If using the dash gauge, try a hand held multi meter to check whats actually going on

Destroyer · #5 03-25-2018, 02:16 AM

Batteries are always in a constant state of being discharged. Even the best battery will eventually go flat is not maintained. So the type of battery charger is really the main question. There are 3 main types. Constant chargers, trickle chargers and smart chargers. Constant chargers usually have a timer that you set and it shuts itself off when the time expires. Trickle chargers are designed so that after it charges your battery it will reduce itself to a trickle, equalizing the amount of current it puts into the battery to approximately the amount that the battery discharges at. (Thus the term trickle). A smart charger turns itself on or off depending on the batteries needs. Given it's age it's doubtful your's is a "smart" charger that will automatically go from trickle charge into float mode when your battery is fully charged. Therefore we have to assume that it's a straight charger. So 6 amps for 2 hours should be more than sufficient. (Personally I'd measure the battery after 1 hour) As was said, low and slow is better... BUT...even a trickle type charger at 2 amps can overcharge your battery and damage it. (It just takes longer to do so). While you are charging your battery.... feel it. If it'warm or hot to the touch then you are probably overcharging it and doing damage to it. Unless your charger specifically says that it shuts off when the battery is fully charged you have to figure that it will continue to pump current into your battery even after it is fully charged. Leaving a battery connected to a trickle charger for too long can lead to overcharging, causing damage to the battery. As previously stated some trickle chargers do, however, offer an automatic function to switch to a float-mode once the battery is fully charged. In float mode your battery is constantly monitored and when a predetermined amount of discharge is observed the charger automatically turns on and adds current to restore it to fully charged status, then turns itself off again.

steplift20 · #6 03-25-2018, 07:44 AM

It's probably a constant charger I do check it with a hand held multimeter I will just charge them for two hours at 2 amps That's putting out 13.8 volts , my battery's are in good condition one is one year old the other is about 3 years old

phatdaddy · #7 03-25-2018, 08:14 AM

When u measure voltage, is that when the charger is hooked to a battery or just output on the leads.

I have had good luck with the harbor freight $10 float charger. I have one on my tractor, ditch witch, golf cart, and whaler.

steplift20 · #8 03-25-2018, 08:16 PM

Hooked up to the Betty and in a charging mode