Auto battery charger

[Whiskeymike]

4 wheeler battery was dead after not starting it for a while, put it on the old school craftsman 160A charger on 60amps and tried to charge it. Got nothing so I assume it’s dead. Picked up a new agm battery and when I got it home found that it comes empty you have to fill it with battery acid. I had no idea they made batteries like that. I thought it died when no maintenance batteries came out.

Anyways, the manual said that it needs to be charged, so I put it on the charger and still nothing after a few hours. I can hear the charger running however the ameter on the charger doesn’t budge.

Is there a way to test the charger with a meter? I know I’m getting something as I can turn the atv over with it running.

 

[nadogail]

Measure the open circuit output voltage,

 

[laser3kw]

Maybe just slow taking it's first charge? Can you back down the charge current to a trickle charge level?

 

[Steven J. Reber]

Hy Everyone

 

[HenryAZ]

Picked up a new agm battery and when I got it home found that it comes empty you have to fill it with battery acid. I had no idea they made batteries like that. I thought it died when no maintenance batteries came out.

I thought all AGM batteries were sealed? One of the reasons for using them is they can be mounted in any position without spilling acid.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

Dead batteries need to be charged at a low current for a longer time...... Best thing for ANY battery that does not get regular use is to use a battery maintainer like a "Battery Tender"........ I have never heard of having to add acid to a NEW sealed battery.

 

[Arne73]

I just bought an AGM from rockauto. Shipping box read "Non spillable". Unpacked and installed.
I agree, filling an AGM sounds counterintuitive but this is my first actual experience with them.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[LB-1911]

I thought all AGM batteries were sealed? One of the reasons for using them is they can be mounted in any position without spilling acid.

Cut from Yuasa Site link below -

How Batteries Leave the Factory

Yuasa AGM Batteries leave the factory either Factory Activated or Bottle Supplied. It’s important to know the difference between the two states and what it means for your Yuasa Battery:

dry AGM batteries are shipped with the electrolyte stored in a plastic container. The battery is filled with electrolyte from the container when it’s ready to be activated. AGM dry batteries have a shelf life of 5 years from the manufacturer as long as they remain sealed. Proper seal for AGM batteries means a foil sealing strip is in place on the battery without damage or flaw. Once a battery is unsealed, it should be activated, charged, and installed. The plates of an unsealed battery will begin to oxidize, making it more difficult to charge later.

https://www.yuasabatteries.com/resources/how-to-activate-an-agm-battery/

4 wheeler battery was dead after not starting it for a while, put it on the old school craftsman 160A charger on 60amps and tried to charge it. Got nothing so I assume it’s dead. Picked up a new agm battery and when I got it home found that it comes empty you have to fill it with battery acid. I had no idea they made batteries like that. I thought it died when no maintenance batteries came out.

Anyways, the manual said that it needs to be charged, so I put it on the charger and still nothing after a few hours. I can hear the charger running however the ameter on the charger doesn’t budge.

Is there a way to test the charger with a meter? I know I’m getting something as I can turn the atv over with it running.

I suspect your old school charger is not compatible with an AGM Battery.

 

[Whiskeymike]

I put the charger on it again overnight at a low rate and finally the next morning it was charged. Not sure if it’s old charger, or issue working with this battery. But all good now. Thanks for advice.

 

[u3b3rg33k]

60A charge rate on a tiny 4 wheeler battery doesn't sound right to me.

 

[nadogail]

Thanks for sharing

 

[Showkey]

That old charger is not a good choice for an AGM battery for multiple reasons. Especially a small battery ..........get a modern charger that as a charging profile for AGM batteries, plus it will be automatic so it goes into float charge mode.

 

[Bert_]

I don't really like the new chargers full of electronics. But 60A is way to much current, 6A would be reasonable.

If you're not sure your charger is working just check the voltage while it's connected to the battery. Charging voltage will be 14+ volts. Checking the charger will no battery connected can give strange readings. The charger output is not smooth DC.

 

[Showkey]

Agree on the charger sizing.
Typical charging would 1.1 amp for 8-10 hours.
Quick charge 5 amp for 1 hour.

New battery will likely not have the quick or rapid charge as the recommendation has it been dropped. Heat is the problem, 6 amps for 10 hours on a no automatic chargeR is a problem. If it was done that new battery might be less than New (perfect) now.

 

[gearhead1]

Yes, 60A is way too much! You want around 6A. I always refer to the manufacturer’s directions. I have Optima AGMs and they say never go over 12A if I remember correctly.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Picked up a new agm battery and when I got it home found that it comes empty you have to fill it with battery acid.

You were ripped off if they told you it was AGM !

Only "flooded" batteries are every shipped dry and they always include the acid, because the battery is useless without it.

 

[Showkey]

You were ripped off if they told you it was AGM !

Only "flooded" batteries are every shipped dry and they always include the acid, because the battery is useless without it.

Wrong again........see post #8


What is a dry charge AGM battery?
Botte Supplied (BS) – dry AGM batteries are shipped with the electrolyte stored in a plastic container. The battery is filled with electrolyte from the container when it's ready to be activated. AGM dry batteries have a shelf life of 5 years from the manufacturer as long as they remain sealed.

Yuasa AGM Batteries leave the factory in one of two ways: Factory Activated (FA) or Bottle Supplied (BS). Activating an AGM battery is overall very easy and differs from activating a Conventional battery. In this article, you will learn about Yuasa’s AGM Batteries and how to properly activate them in an easy 7-step process.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Wrong again........see post #8

What is a dry charge AGM battery?
Botte Supplied (BS) – dry AGM batteries are shipped with the electrolyte stored in a plastic container.

Learn something new every day !

The reason for dry shipping is that the battery may sit in inventory for a long time before being used.

 

[Showkey]

Learn something new every day !

The reason for dry shipping is that the battery may sit in inventory for a long time before being used.

Especially new motorcycles, ATV, Snowmobiles where they might sit in the crate for months to several years.

 

[rsparks64]

Never knew some AGMs had to be filled. You learn something new everyday.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Especially new motorcycles, ATV, Snowmobiles where they might sit in the crate for months to several years.

They have been doing that for over 50 years on "wet"/"flooded" batteries. Just never seen it done on AGM.

 

[TractorJeff]

As far as the charger, just put a 12 volt bulb on it to see if it is putting out. No matter the setting as the bulb will only draw the current it needs!

 

[Showkey]

As far as the charger, just put a 12 volt bulb on it to see if it is putting out. No matter the setting as the bulb will only draw the current it needs!

The charge profile is not just amp draw.

It’s charging voltage variable, it changes in the better chargers over the charge sequence.

The peak voltage is different for each battery chemistry. Very important wit( the new lithium batteries in some motorcycle and other products.

Examples:

Deep Cycle AGM:- AGM batteries should be charged using a charger with a mode switch for AGM type batteries. It is recommended to use a charger, current limited to 20% or 0.2C of the batteries capacity at a charging voltage of between 14.6 – 14.8V following deep cycle use, or 13.6V – 13.8V for standby use. The target voltage for a 12 volt charger for AGM or some flooded batteries is 2.4 to 2.45 volts per cell, which is 14.4 to 14.7 volts. Some flooded cells will tolerate over 15 volts.

A 12v lithium LiFePO4 battery fully charged to 100% will hold voltage around 13.3-13.4v. Its lead acid cousin will be approx 12.6-12.7v. A lithium battery at 20% capacity will hold voltage around 13V, its lead acid cousin will be approx 11.8v at the same capacity........playing with a very narrow window of voltage with lithium, less than 0.5V over 80% capacity.