over charging of Batt.

[lakebum]

took the 97 2150 out today for the last ride of the year and to get warmed up for oil change and winterizing. Went to disconect the batt. and found that it had acid on top of the batt. and in the batt. box. Why would it be over charging. Thanks for any and all help.

[da.bell]

How old is the battery?

[lakebum]

Oh, not for sure , but am thinking only two or mabe three seasons

[chpthril]

Possibilities could be a faulty regulator in the alternator, bad cell in battery, poor pos or neg connection at battery or alt. Are any of the cells real low, as in almost dry, cant see the water level? Top them off with distilled water,charge battery and then have it tested. I guess you didn't notice anything abnormal about the volt gauge while you were out?

[TeamAllen]

What are you using to charge the batteries with? I switched to a Battery Tender and have added years to my battery. I used to get 2 years now I'm on 5+. I also switched to an Optima battery. I didn't like the thought of spilling anything taking it in or out of that small compartment door.

[lakebum]

Haven't had time to check the Batt. water, am in the middle of installing a new permenant boat lift and want to get the deck and catwalks done before it get any colder. THe water temp is already at 60 and am going to have to get in chest deep water (no wet or dry suit) So guess that the batt. is the best place to start. thanks for the help.sure hope that it isn't the altenator. Batt. cables were tight on the batt. will have to check the alten. Like the idea of the opt. batt. but $$$ price. But Mike like you said no acid in the boast is worth alot. Thanks again

[JUST-IN-TIME]

battery's always vent

check water level

[laserfish]

Get an onboard charger that has a chip to keep it from overcharging. One of the best investments I have made. As TeamAllen said, it will extend the life of your batteries enough to cover the cost and is soooo much easier to just plug it in and always have your batteries in top condition without overcharging.

[talltigeguy]

Am I missing something? Did he say that the batteries were high on the voltage meter? How high?

Does acid spilling out the top automatically mean it is overcharged?

[laserfish]

Not necessarily, however, overcharging can cause the electrolyte to boil and will come out the vents in the top. Makes a mess when it happens. Usually it happens with older chargers that do not have an automatic shut off and they just keep dumping the charge to an already charged battery.

[talltigeguy]

Not necessarily, however, overcharging can cause the electrolyte to boil and will come out the vents in the top. Makes a mess when it happens. Usually it happens with older chargers that do not have an automatic shut off and they just keep dumping the charge to an already charged battery.

Thanks for the info.

[lakebum]

this batt. hasn't been on any charger, just the altenator. haven't got to checking the batt. water level yet. just got the deck and catwalks done on my new double hoist. think that the regulator is bad in the alt. or the batt. is bad.