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extreme battery drain

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mikes user name
Deckhand

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USA
11 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/26/2010 : 17:01:34

I had a meltdown with my harness at the end of the season, I wrote here about it. I had a discharged battery and a fully charged one. I inadvertently had the batteries flipped end for end, so instead of the two negatives being jumped together, with the two positives running back to the 3 way switch, I had the negative jumper going from a negative post to a positive post. When I turned the switch, instant smoke. So I had drained the fully charged battery into the dead one. I removed them from the boat (October) and charged each with 2 amp auto deep cycle, and the green light came on after half a day on each one. I just put the charger back on them and the green light on the charger wont come on, even after overnight 2 amp charging. Using two separate digital volt meters I get Identical, but different readings on each one. One says 11.6 volts on both batteries, the other says 12.7 volts on both batteries. ?????? Will a sudden drain discharge like this damage the batteries? I don't get the separate readings either, 11.6 would mean it is no longer charged, and 12.7 would mean they are. Maybe I should get 50 different meters and average it out................(just kidding there) Fuses are coming.....

Akuna Matada
1985 SR/SK
Traditional
#4903

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 12/26/2010 : 18:34:58

The different readings are probably error within the meter since they are consistent across the batteries. It does sound like the batteries are toast. Dead shorting the batteries reach currents that you don't want to think about - it is only limited by the internal resistance of the batteries - and current makes destructive heat.

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mikes user name
Deckhand

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USA
11 Posts

Response Posted - 12/26/2010 : 23:03:01

But they are so new!!! Only two years old!

They still look really nice!!

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 12/27/2010 : 08:29:28

Hi User Name... Have you checked the electrolyte levels? That connection may have caused some lead plates to warp, which will allow internal arcing that gradually boils off the electrolyte (and generate explosive hydrogen gas--don't make any sparks around the terminals). Can you spell "Toast"?

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mikes user name
Deckhand

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USA
11 Posts

Response Posted - 12/27/2010 : 10:55:39

Yes, the electrolyte on both batteries are full, it only drained for a few seconds, but I know what lightning can do in less time, so......I do know how to spell toast though, MONEY!

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 12/27/2010 : 17:30:52

I love the Spirit Mike, but it just doesn't look good from here - and I'm 2000 miles away. If you really wanna be sure, go to an RV place and ask them to test the battery for you. When I was in denial on my last battery I did this, and it took about 3 hours for them to come back with an answer. Cost nothing to get the answer, but it cost about $100 to replace the battery.

I figure for $100 I could buy a tank of gas, or I could replace a battery to give me another 5 years of sailing bliss. I carpooled that week.

EDITED because I'm amazed anyone could read that typing!

Edited by - Prospector on 12/27/2010 20:34:08

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5352 Posts

Response Posted - 12/27/2010 : 20:13:13

Prospector Chris is right -- you can also try your local auto parts dealer -- they can also check the batteries.

Here's a way to check your digital voltmeters:
(1) Put a new battery into each of them. Mine takes a 9V battery.
(2) Start your car and let it warm up. Your car battery will begin charging at 14.4 volts volts right after starting, then it will drop back to about 13.4 volts once it is stabilized. If you let the car sit for a few hours, it will cut back to about 12.8 volts.

At least this way you'll know which voltmeter to throw out.

If you want to quickly check the batteries, try the following:
Set up a 12 volt current drain tester -- like a 12 volt to 120 volt power inverter, or a bunch of 12 volt signal light bulbs wired together (trailer lights) or whatever stuff you have lying around that takes between 5 and 10 amps at 12 volts.

Connect it to your battery and measure the current with your 10A Ammeter (there's usually a special setup on a digital volt meter for the 10A setting). Once set up, let the battery dischage at 5-10A until it reads 11.8V. A good battery should discharge to 11.8 volts in about 4 hours at 10A or 8 hours at 5A. If the battery goes dead within an hour or two, then you know it's shot.

If the battery passes muster however, recharge it back up to the green state immediately. Don't leave a 1/2 discharged battery sitting around. If it does not pass the test, you'll have to go for a new one.

WalMart offers a decent Group 24 marine deep discharge battery for about US $70, and Sears or K-Mart offer the Die Hard Group 24 marine deep discharge battery for about $86.

Edited by - on

mikes user name
Deckhand

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USA
11 Posts

Response Posted - 01/03/2011 : 01:19:59

Thanks for the tips and input, guess I will do the obligatory ceremonial look at the batteries before I just go buy two new ones........

Edited by - on

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.