Quote:
Originally Posted by spazfishy
Could anything cook a battery while not running?
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OVER charging the battery...either by (a) too much voltage, (b) too much current, or (c) charging too LONG. All of which are controlled by the battery charger used.
What KIND of charger are you using? There *IS* a difference.
• A "
CHARGER" is designed to
quickly "re-fill" a depleted battery by applying a voltage somewhat HIGHER than the battery's intrinsic voltage (ie: 14VDC into a 12.6V battery); it should NOT be left connected for long periods of time. Once the proper battery electrolyte acid-ratio has been achieved (indicating FULL charge) the charger should be
immediately disconnected. Pumping 14V into an already fully-charged 12.6V battery will over HEAT the electrolyte causing it to "boil" and evaporate away as you describe.
• A "
FLOAT" or "
TRICKLE" charger is designed to
slowly (trickle)&
periodically (burp) "top-off" an already "full" battery during extended periods of non-use; it CAN be left connected for long periods of time.