When do i charge my 6 volt batteries

[Dcm2272]

I’m running two 6 volt batteries in series to get 12 volts. My question is do i charge them when they get down to 50 % like a regular 12 volt battery or wait until they are at 0 %

Thanks

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by Dcm2272

I’m running two 6 volt batteries in series to get 12 volts. My question is do i charge them when they get down to 50 % like a regular 12 volt battery or wait until they are at 0 %

Thanks

Same as 12V about 50%

[Ballistic]

50% is the lowest point to wait to charge them. Feel free to charge them sooner, it won't hurt to charge them sooner, in fact it's better for them.

[W5CRE]

Charge daily to 100% if possible.

[Dcm2272]

Thank you for the advice https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo.../camperfam.gif

[ppine]

Same technology just different voltage.
Best to stay well above 50%.

[FrankG]

Originally Posted by Dcm2272

I’m running two 6 volt batteries in series to get 12 volts. My question is do i charge them when they get down to 50 % like a regular 12 volt battery or wait until they are at 0 %

Thanks

To get the optimal life out of any wet cell battery they should be fully charged once a day and have a cool down period. Any time a battery is below full charge sulfurization of the plates takes place, and increases with the depth of discharge over extended times. Secondly, heat is the other factor in a battery's life. An example of this is a battery subjected to a 50% drawdown, recharged and the cycles continue without a cooldown cycle. Here in Florida golf cart batteries, that are used daily, have about a 3 year life due to the high ambient temperatures in the summer months. They get hot and they stay hot.

I think your question revolves around the issue that you do not have access to shore power, and are asking when to start the generator/charger. Prior to Nuclear, every submariner was asking the same question, and there are no good answers except fully charge daily.

You know, all the above issues go away with Lithium batteries.

[jimmoore13]

Originally Posted by MR.M

Same as 12V about 50%

X2

The deciding factor is the technology. FCLA (flooded cell lead acid) batteries should only be discharged to about 50%. I have a pair that, combined, are rated for 230 AH. The 115 AH I get to use is an abundant amount of power, but I also have 400 watts of solar on the roof that will top them off every day...if there's a reasonable amount of sun.

[eddy67]

Originally Posted by Dcm2272

I’m running two 6 volt batteries in series to get 12 volts. My question is do i charge them when they get down to 50 % like a regular 12 volt battery or wait until they are at 0 %

Thanks

Should charge 60 percent or sooner. The lower you go the less time they will last.

[wanderingbob]

When ever you add two or more cells in series they become ONE battery and you treat them as one battery , A two cell flashlite combines 2 Cells two make one battery . A four cell flashlite makes a 6 volt battery of 4 cells . In a automotive type battery each cell will equal a little bit more than 2 volts , so a so called six volt golf car battery has 3 cells , count the water fills there will be three of them .

[timfromma]

It really depends on the battery type.


Flooded batteries should never be discharged below 50% or damage can occur. Litium can be discharged all the way to 0% without any harm.

[TitanMike]

Simple answer for Lead/Acid batteries is to recharge whenever you have the ability. Don't wait for a magic discharge level. If possible do not let discharge below 50% if you want maximum life from them but if you do, recharge as soon as you can to minimize sulfation effect.

[NJKris]

Originally Posted by eddy67

Should charge 60 percent or sooner. The lower you go the less time they will last.

That applies to regular starting FLA batteries, or those cheaper dual purpose batteries dealers install. 6v GC batteries are good down to 50%, even 20% if recharged right after, though you won't have as long a life if you do that frequently. Of course, the more shallow the discharge, the longer the batteries will last, but it's all a compromise. Who is going to lug around 140 lbs of batteries just to use 30 amp hours?

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by NJKris

That applies to regular starting FLA batteries, or those cheaper dual purpose batteries dealers install. 6v GC batteries are good down to 50%, even 20% if recharged right after, though you won't have as long a life if you do that frequently. Of course, the more shallow the discharge, the longer the batteries will last, but it's all a compromise. Who is going to lug around 140 lbs of batteries just to use 30 amp hours?

All true-however Trojan isn't as optimistic about deeper discharge of their T-105 (an undisputed quality 6v golf cart battery).

According to their literature if DOD is kept to <30% that battery has an estimated 3,000 cycle life.

Increase that DOD to 80% and their spec's say only 500 cycles in it's life. An 83% reduction in life cycles.

50% dod yields 1,000 cycles. 50% dod is still the sweet spot with only half the degradation of cycle life as 80% DOD and Trojan makes no mention of how quickly the battery is recharged.

Lastly, as with all lead acid batteries, voltage is lower at deeper dod so some items may not perfirm well as battery charge drops. Think Inverters.

If one merely uses batteries for lights, water pump, and furnace, then don't mind replacing every few years, discharging below 50% might be of no consequence to them.

[flyflotrtim]

Originally Posted by W5CRE

Charge daily to 100% if possible.

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