Re: Basic Battery Question
Unless the store where you are buying it periodically charges the batteries, it will not be fully charged when you buy it. When batteries are made, they are filled with acid and then they need to cool off and then are charged. A few hours after a battery is filled, it will only have about a 65% charge state. It is always better to charge a battery slowly. Slowly means no more than 10% of the battery's rated capacity in amp hours. If you have a 60 amp hour battery you should charge it with no more than 6 amps. To figure the charge time needed, divide half the charge amps into the rated capacity, in this case = 20 hours. Battery makers have specific charge recommendations for each battery type. <br /> <br />A conventional lead/acid battery will discharge about 1 to 6 percent a week depending on the temperature. So, if your battery has been sitting inside a hot boat store since last September, it will be quite discharged and will need a charge. This is not a battery I would want to buy. Take a voltmeter to the store and don't buy a conventional battery showing less than 12.4 volts. <br />Most "trickle" chargers (less than 1 amp output) won't charge a big battery fast enough (overnight) for normal use. Most inexpensive chargers made for cars (6 to 10 amp) will not overcharge your battery providing you leave them on just overnight. More sophisticated chargers can be left attached all the time. <br />Remember, a charging battery is a hydrogen gas factory--avoid flame or spark and wear face/eye protection if your face is near it.
