Battery volts

Getting the Jeep ready for winter, so figured better check the battery. First off, the battery is a Diehard Gold, purchased in Oct 1996. Hooked up a voltmeter & am getting 13 volts with no accessories on & the engine off. I remember reading somewhere that a fully-charged battery shows more than 12 volts but can't remember how much that should be. Is 13 ok or should it read 14? I know that I've already gotten my money's worth out of this battery but if I can run it thru the winter & then get a new one next spring, I will be a happy camper. By the way, my next battery will definitely be a Diehard, top of the line. Those suckers are awesome!

[Scott P]

I believe each cell should be about 2.2 volts, so with 6 cells, a fully charged (and not overcharged) car battery should read 13.2 volts.

[QuicksilverDon]

I agree. Quite sure 13 volts is a good reading for a charged battery. To charge you want to see around 14 volts on whatever's doing the charging. Best bet is buy a gizmo, looks like a turkey baster w/colored balls inside. Measures specific gravity (and health) of battery acid, by which balls float/sink. Should cost a couple bucks. Forgot what you call the damn thing - battery tester?

[Scott P]

QuicksilverDon (13 Nov, 2001 01:08 p.m.):
Best bet is buy a gizmo, looks like a turkey baster w/colored balls inside. Measures specific gravity (and health) of battery acid, by which balls float/sink. Should cost a couple bucks. Forgot what you call the damn thing - battery tester?

Hydrometer.

[QuicksilverDon]

Right! I kept thinking hyGrometer, but that measures relative humidity - was on the tip of my tongue - thanks!
hydrometer, hydrometer,......

[Bullwinkle]

QuicksilverDon (13 Nov, 2001 02:02 p.m.):
Right! I kept thinking hyGrometer, but that measures relative humidity - was on the tip of my tongue - thanks!
hydrometer, hydrometer,......

And speaking of measuring humidity, how about a sling psychrometer ?

[Rick in PA]

The best way to test the battery is a load test. Most service stations should be able to perform this test. The test consists of putting a good stiff load on the battery (simmilar to what a starter draws) and monitoring the battery voltage. If the battery voltage holds (i.e. doesn't drop more than a couple of volts over 10 or 15 seconds) the battery is OK. If the battery voltage drops like a stone, the battery is shot. Generally, a battery is good for the warranty period and dies shortly thereafter. The battery manufacturers build them pretty much to meet the waranty period, altho I have seen some exceptions.

[QuicksilverDon]

Rick in PA gave the most comprehensive and fool-proof answer, but I can't resist telling a battery story. Many years ago I worked at Bell Labs in Murray Hill, NJ. I was right out of college and didn't have any money. I was driving a clapped out Volvo - stick - that had a run down battery. I used to park on a hill, turn key to 'on', not 'start', roll downhill & pop clutch in gear to start it. I was grousing one day about my battery and someone suggested I talk to one of the battery experts (every phone central office has a room full of batteries). I went & heard about what causes most battery failures (particles fall to the bottom & short out some of the many plates in a cell, or the plates warp and touch, etc.) - the fellow went on for quite a while, then asked "how many miles do you have on the battery?" I answered, "about 98,000". I'll never forget what he replied - "For God's sake, Man, BUY A NEW BATTERY!!"

[PT_Sean]

QuicksilverDon (14 Nov, 2001 08:20 p.m.):
...Many years ago I worked at Bell Labs in Murray Hill, NJ.

cool! I work for the Mother Ship- you knmow, the red hooped company (not THE Mother Ship AT&T, the OTHER one).

[img="http://www.lucent.com/images_v1/nav/logo.gif"]

[QuicksilverDon]

PT_Sean (14 Nov, 2001 10:38 p.m.):

cool! I work for the Mother Ship- you knmow, the red hooped company (not THE Mother Ship AT&T, the OTHER one).

[img="http://www.lucent.com/images_v1/nav/logo.gif"]

I would guess it beats being unemployed. It WAS a fascinating place to work - before MBAs began to run it. Lucent upper management should be brought up on criminal charges for gross incompetence and mismanagement of funds - They actually bought golf courses! - I have some Lucent stock that I can now wipe my butt with. The AT&T logo was "the zero with lines in it" - the Lucent logo is just a zero.


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