Rolls battery maintenance

[questover]

I have 5 year old Rolls. Did an SP gravity test and found one of the 8 volt batteries has two cells that are at the red marks. All other cells are low green or high white marks. Anything I can do to bring the red ones back?

[gbharrington]

Call the Rolls tech rep, Steve Higgins. 206-790-5840. He's in the Pacific time zone.

[Top Hatt Craig]

Can't better the reply already given but in the interest of conversation, according to the Battery University at least that one battery is history? " Experts recommend equalizing services once a month to once or twice a year. A better method is to apply a fully saturated charge and then compare the specific gravity readings (SG) on the individual cells of a flooded lead acid battery with a hydrometer. Only apply equalization if the SG difference between the cells is 0.030." Best wishes Craig

[bostonhatteras]

The rolls site has very specific instructions on battery care and maintenance. http://rollsbattery.com/technical-resources/

[SKYCHENEY]

I run the equalize charge on my Rolls once or twice per season. In the past two years, I have also been worried about them getting to their end of life. Every time I equalize, I seem to renew them for another 6 months or so.

[kjcampos]

I run the equalize charge on my Rolls once or twice per season. In the past two years, I have also been worried about them getting to their end of life. Every time I equalize, I seem to renew them for another 6 months or so.

Hi SKYCHENEY i have the Rolls batteries and would like to know how i EQUALIZE them i have never done that that i know of....they are my house batteries ...i have owned the boat for over 3 yrs and they came with the boat i don't know how old they are....they are my house bank.... or if the PO ever did that

[krush]

I run the equalize charge on my Rolls once or twice per season.

What charger do you have?

[SKYCHENEY]

Hi SKYCHENEY i have the Rolls batteries and would like to know how i EQUALIZE them i have never done that that i know of....they are my house batteries ...i have owned the boat for over 3 yrs and they came with the boat i don't know how old they are....they are my house bank.... or if the PO ever did that

Most smart chargers have an equalize function. My Outback will take them up to 40v for 2 hours to boil the sulfate off of the plates.

If you don't have a smart charger, you can use a 12v portable charger on an 8v battery. Call Rolls and they will tell you how to monitor that. You will need to test the specific gravity of each cell to determine when the equalize is complete if you use that method.

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

I think you can, if you have a dumb charger, put it in manual and monitor. Google Deka battery maintenance for their procedure if you have them.

[kjcampos]

Most smart chargers have an equalize function. My Outback will take them up to 40v for 2 hours to boil the sulfate off of the plates.

If you don't have a smart charger, you can use a 12v portable charger on an 8v battery. Call Rolls and they will tell you how to monitor that. You will need to test the specific gravity of each cell to determine when the equalize is complete if you use that method.

Hi SKYCHENEY i have a SENTRY charger do they have the EQUALIZE function?

[SKYCHENEY]

Hi SKYCHENEY i have a SENTRY charger do they have the EQUALIZE function?

No. You would need a newer smart charger.

I know there are still a bunch of you still using those old Ferroresonant chargers, but they really are old, old technology. If you want your batteries to last, you need to upgrade.

[jim rosenthal]

I think most Statpower or Xantrex chargers have an EQ function. I believe this only works with flooded batteries- i think it should not be done on AGM or gel batteries. Correct me if I am wrong on this.

[krush]

I believe this only works with flooded batteries- i think it should not be done on AGM or gel batteries. Correct me if I am wrong on this.

Check with manufacturer. Some say it's OK to equalize gel or AGM once in a while.... http://lifelinebatteries.com/2015/10/can-i-equalize-agm-batteries/