Battery Charging Question - NCRS Discussion Boards

Battery Charging Question

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  • John M.
    Very Frequent User
    • November 1, 1988
    • 170

    Battery Charging Question

    My 1994 C4 has an ACDelco 75A-72 Maintenance Free battery. This battery has no removable caps for checking/adding water but does have a Green (when charge is ok) Hydrometer Eye for visual checking of the charge. I believe this battery is as original equipment for this Corvette, but I do know that it is NOT the



    I have two (2) different battery chargers.

    Charger #1 is a Sears fully automatic charger with charge settings of 2 amp & 10 amp. Below is some of what the manual states:


    1. Always charge these batteries with the battery type selector set to DEEP-CYCLE, regardless of battery type
    also green
    3. Some recommend tilting or lightly shaking the battery once an hour during charging. This helps mix the acid that has stratified during charging with the stronger acid at the bottom of the battery.


    Battery Type Selector

    Charging a standard battery on the DEEP-CYCLE position may result in excessive gassing and possible overcharging.



    The 2 amp setting should be selected to charge only small 12 volt batteries. If used to charge larger automotive or deep-cycle batteries, full charge may never be fully reached.

    Charger #2 is a Schumacher automatic charger with charge settings of 2 amp &12 amp. Below is some of what the manual states:

    Battery Type Switch SLI stands for Starting, Lighting and ISLI otherwise known as Flooded, Regular or Standard Batteries. Regular batteries should not be used for deep-cycle application.

    Battery Type Switch Deep-Cycle.

    Some low maintenance batteries have a relatively smooth top without any apparent battery filler caps. If, however, the battery manufacturer/distributor recommends periodic checking of the electrolyte level and provides access to the battery for water additions, the battery is probably a conventional/low maintenance type,

    The 2 amp slow charge rate is intended for charging small batteries such as those used in garden tractors, snow mobiles and motorcycles. The 2 amp rate can be used to warm or trickle charge larger batteries.



    People I have talked to, which include those selling batteries and chargers, or manufacturing chargers, seem to have no more insight on my question than I have. So I now turn to this knowledgeable Forum of helpful Corvette aficionados, some of whom also own a Corvette like mine, with again the question: How do I charge this battery? As a Regular battery? or on the Deep-Cycle setting? (refer to first paragraph)


  • Terry M.
    Beyond Control Poster
    • September 30, 1980
    • 15573

    #2
    Re: Battery Charging Question

    The battery you have is NOT a deep cycle battery.

    Automotive batteries are generally called SLI (starting, lighting, ignition) batteries as manual #1 states.

    That battery is a lead acid battery. Both chargers you have are just that -- chargers. You need to buy and use a battery maintainer. There has been recent threads on just that subject.
    Terry

    Comment

    • Kurt G.
      Very Frequent User
      • April 30, 2005
      • 343

      #3
      Re: Battery Charging Question

      Ditto with Terry. Do not use a regular charger to maintain the battery over the winter. However, one option would be to, once a month hook up a low amp (10 amp) and charge the battery for a day. Back in another life I bass fished professionally. We used regular wet cell batteries like yours without caps and once a month while in storage, out in the cold I'd do the procedure and had several batteries last several years. Just don't forget and leave the charger hooked up for more than a day.
      Kurt Geis
      Chairman, Midway USA Chapter
      Targa Blue 1972, Top Flight and Duntov Award, 2014
      Arctic White 1994, Top Flight, Hrt. of Amer. Reg. 2011
      Arctic White 2013 60th Anniv Special Edition Conv.

      Comment

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