Battery voltage

[major hattitude]

Had battery blow up last week replaced two 8d in series
Battery was only 2 years old measured voltage with
Charger on reads 28.8 volts input would be greatly appreciated

 

[jim rosenthal]

Sounds like charger is cooking batteries.

 

[Captain Ralph]

28.8Vdc is about the start-up or bulk level of a charger.
As the battery takes a charge, the better charger should calm down to a float charge of around 26.5 to 27Vdc.

So, Do you have a smart charger with a profile correctly programed in or a constant and set charger only putting out 28.8Vdc?

Batteries can blow up for many reasons;
Dry and/or overcharging per cell is usually the culprit.

 

[cww]

Lack of water is the most likely culprit.

 

[major hattitude]

I have LaMarch constavolt 40 amp charger after couple days still at 28.8 volts im going to
see if I find the manual thanks for input

 

[Boatsb]

Get a real charger. That old charger is not doing you any favors.

 

[Captain Ralph]

I have LaMarch constavolt 40 amp charger after couple days still at 28.8 volts im going to
see if I find the manual thanks for input

Like my ole Raritan chargers, Not smart at all.
Hence the name; ConstaVolt.
Not sure if the ole LaMarchis is adjustable. If it is, get it down to the battery mfgs float charge level.

Also, Battery float levels do change from battery mfgs to other mfgs.
Then battery types can change float specs.

 

[cenger]

I replaced my La MARCHE last year with a Sentry and have not looked back. I can’t say the La MARCHE was a lousy charger; it lasted almost 40 years, but I needed to add water too often (about every week). At that rate, distilled water became untenable, and the dirty hose water was causing batteries to fail earlier than they should have. With the Sentry, I have yet to add water this season with the batteries always charged and water level where it should be.

 

[major hattitude]

Sounds like I should upgrade my charger any recommendations would be apricated !!

 

[cenger]

I would replace it. I prematurely killed a bank of Rolls batteries which cost a lot more than an new charger. I went with a Sentry mostly because I was able to talk to the company directly. They got me exactly what I needed with great customer service.

 

[major hattitude]

Thanks for all input which Sentry charger which model did you use or how many amps for the 8D
batteries

 

[cenger]

I purchased the Sentry SFR3230. I believe I purchased 30amp model but dont recall exactly. Call Sentry directly and they will make sure you get what you need. Sentry calibrates the charger before they ship it to you.

 

[Lmcruiser]

I have a 60 amp Sentry charger which I just the older version that was 31 years old and it began to malfunction. It services 2 banks of 3 group 31 batteries instead of original 2 8D batteries. I was left with the choices of buying a new modern charger, replacing with new similar Sentry charger, or sending my charger to Sentry for repair. I chose to send mine in for repair. Sentry repaired it and recalibrated it to new specs and returned with a great turn around time. Repair was about $460 and has worked perfectly for the last 2 years. It was returned with a New owner’s manual also. I would have to say this was great customer service. My 2 banks of batteries serve as starting batteries for my DD 6-71s as well as well as one bank share as house bank. I have not had any issue with this arrangement and I think the 60 amp version suits my needs well

 

[MadHatter53]

I recently replaced my Le Marche battery cooker with a Sterling. So far so good. 32V of course.