help in charging lead acid battery

Thread Starter

alitex

Joined Mar 5, 2007
139
hi all...
i bought new lead acid battery 12 V. can any one tell me what is the best voltage value to charge it, and what about the time charging???
thank's...
 

jimkeith

Joined Oct 26, 2011
540
You can charge it at 14V until the current tapers to very low, but it is OK to leave it at 14V for long periods of time.
 

#12

Joined Nov 30, 2010
18,224
This is the reference that did it for me.

http://www.engineersedge.com/battery/specific_gravity_battery.htm

That link to Battery University says, charge at 14.4 to 14.7 as a constant voltage, then float at 13.5V to 13.8V
The time to get a full charge depends on how much current the battery accepts and how many amp-hours it needs to arrive at "fully charged".

Bubbling is a sure sign the battery is "full". That's when you change to the float charge voltage.

On the other hand, I bought an AGM battery (absorbent glass mat) and the label on it convinced me to float it at 14.2V
If it has a label, follow the instructions.
 
Last edited:

#12

Joined Nov 30, 2010
18,224
Yes. Lead acid batteries have shorter lifespan when deeply discharged.

I don't know the specifics but it comes down to, "How much sooner are you willing to buy another battery for the convenience of running it completely dead?"
 
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