Battery? How flat is flat?

ScottyHOMeY · Dec 6, 2008

I've been neglectful on the SuperC.

Went out back to make sure she'd start up, and run her a little while to throw a litle charge on her so she'd be sure to start the next time.

Got about five groanin' turns on the starter.

She's on the charger now. 2A for an hour or so. I'll put her up to 10A shortly, and then dial her back to 2A at bedtime for overnight, and give her a try in the morning.

Question(s). Is that level of discharge the kind that is harmful to the battery in the long run? I'll likely repoarize it anyway, just in case (amd easily enough done) but can a generator lose its polarity if the battery has dropped that low?

Red Dave · Dec 6, 2008

No, Letting the battery get discharged shouldn't cause the generator pole pieces to lose their residual magnetism. It shouldn't need to be polarized, which we in the electricity making business call "Flashing the Field".

It's not real good for the battery to let it run down, but unless it froze while it was discharged, or you let it run down often, it shouldn't have any lasting ill effects.

Brownie 450 · Dec 6, 2008

When not using the tractor for long periods, put the 2-amp charger on overnight every 3 weeks---keeps the battery charged & decreases sulphation.

Dellbertt · Dec 6, 2008

Dave,
I put a new battery in my Case1030 diesel in September and went out to run it some last week and it was dead. It took a charge in no time but I dont like the fact that it went down so fast.

1. Do you think I should take the battery back or just let it charge up completely and see what happens.

2. What happens inside a good battery that is left to discharge from lack of use.

Dell

El Toro · Dec 6, 2008

You may have something that's draining the battery. Disconnect the ground cable and then see if the battery will start the engine after sitting a few days. Hal

Red Dave · Dec 6, 2008

1. I would charge it completely and not wait 2 months to check it again. If it continues to discharge, my first suspect would be something on the tractor draining it.

2. I don't know all the things that happen, but an automotive battery is not made to discharge completely very often. Manufacturers reccomend deep cycle batteries for that kind of service.
One of the things that happens though is that a discharged battery will freeze more quickly, and that will kill a battery.

Janicholson · Dec 6, 2008

Charge it as you are, then when putting it back in before the Last cable is attached, check the volts across the post to terminal. Less then .25 volts and you are good to go on a drain. If more than a volt it will take the battery down in a week or less. JimN

Eric W · Dec 6, 2008

If you have a draw it should show a small arc when you touch the neg cable to post with pos hooked up

Red Mist · Dec 7, 2008

Best battery money I ever spent is for those little battery maintainers they sell for about $17. I put 'em on in October and take em' off about April 1st. Got 6V ones for the old tractors and a couple of 12V for the newer tractor and the riding mower. The batteries last for years...... mike

Battery? How flat is flat?

ScottyHOMeY

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Red Dave

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Brownie 450

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Dellbertt

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El Toro

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Red Dave

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Janicholson

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Eric W

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Red Mist

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