New battery, fullyc charged, registers only 12.7 volts

[TorontoBoy]

My old Parts Canada battery died after many years and I was happy with its performance. I went back to Cycle World Superstore and got another Parts Canada battery ($60CAD) on Wednesday, which I then trickle charged with my CTek charger (a really good intelligent charger, from Cantire). This new battery, however, after a full night's charge, only registers 12.7v on my multimeter.

My last Parts Canada battery registered 13.5-14v after a full night's trickle charge. In fact, all my vehicle batteries have registered at least 13v after a full night's charge. Back to the store I went and talked to Bill at the service counter. He says that not all batteries will register 13-14v, the battery is within spec and is normal. He uses a Yuasa multimeter, which he clips onto the battery terminals and hits a button, for something he calls a "load test". The test says that the battery is at 105% capacity and is good, but I am not sure what that means. The battery comes with a 6 mo guarantee, which would be really hard to claim.

I am really unsure about this quality of this particular battery. I don't think 12.7v after a full charge is normal. What do you all think?

 

[veno78]

My old Yuasa registered 12.8v and it couldn't even power the headlights, let alone the bike. Brought it to Glen at Flying Squirrel and he told me it had a bad cell.

Got another Yuasa that registered 13.2v and it's been perfect so far.

 

[DJM]

I used to maintain fork-lift batteries every day. Your battery is fully charged. 6 cells X 2.1 Volts per cell = 12.6 Volts. You should really check state of charge with a hydrometer if possible.

Checking battery voltage right after disconnecting a battery charger will give a higher voltage at first, around 13.2V but will settle back to it's terminal voltage of 12.6 after about 12 hours.

Did you buy this battery off the shelf with the acid already in it or was it added at purchase time? Makes a big difference.

 

[TorontoBoy]

...Did you buy this battery off the shelf with the acid already in it or was it added at purchase time? Makes a big difference.

I had to order it and pick it up the next day, so I think acid was added at purchase time and then the battery charged.

 

[DJM]

There's a lot of science and technology behind batteries and chargers, and it's still difficult to separate facts from myths. With an effective charger like the CTek I think you're good to go now.

 

[cycling]

http://www.diavel-forum.com/index.php?/topic/4065-charging-a-lithium-battery/

Think this would also apply to the regular battery. Scroll down to the number chart. Hope it helps.

 

[GateKeeper]

My old Yuasa registered 12.8v and it couldn't even power the headlights, let alone the bike. Brought it to Glen at Flying Squirrel and he told me it had a bad cell.

Got another Yuasa that registered 13.2v and it's been perfect so far.

Interesting it was deemed as defective, when 12.8 V is what Yuassa says is normal...

anyways to the OP

This might help you out

http://www.yuasabatteries.com/faqs.php?action=1&id=30

and for even more answers to your FAQ's

http://www.yuasabatteries.com/faqs.php

.

 

[bitzz]

http://www.diavel-forum.com/index.php?/topic/4065-charging-a-lithium-battery/

Think this would also apply to the regular battery. Scroll down to the number chart. Hope it helps.

This chart DOES NOT APPLY to lead acid batteries.
12.7 volts is low for a new battery, a new battery is 2.2 volts per cell or 13.2 for a 12volt.

A 6 cell battery that puts out 12.8 volts must certainly DOES NOT have a dead cell. The most 5 cells of lead acid will put out is 11volts.

 

[bitzz]

If you are using this Ctek:http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow.../CTEK+Multi-use+3300+3.3A+Battery+Charger.jsp
It's output is too high, at 3.3 amps, for the initial charge of a motorcycle battery.
For "best results" charge a lead acid battery at no more than 10% of it's output. Do you have a 33 amp battery? (No you don't).

 

[TorontoBoy]

If you are using this Ctek:http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/BatteryChargersAccessories/BatteryChargers/PRD~0111522P/CTEK%2BMulti-use%2B3300%2B3.3A%2BBattery%2BCharger.jsp
It's output is too high, at 3.3 amps, for the initial charge of a motorcycle battery.
For "best results" charge a lead acid battery at no more than 10% of it's output. Do you have a 33 amp battery? (No you don't).

This CTek 3300 is exactly the one I have. While it can charge at 3.3A it also has a motorcycle option that charges at 0.8A. I am more confident about this battery charger than my new battery. The CanTire description of this charger omits the motorcycle charging option. The would probably sell more units if the description was correct.

 

[cycling]

This chart DOES NOT APPLY to lead acid batteries.
12.7 volts is low for a new battery, a new battery is 2.2 volts per cell or 13.2 for a 12volt.

A 6 cell battery that puts out 12.8 volts must certainly DOES NOT have a dead cell. The most 5 cells of lead acid will put out is 11volts.

Was not sure. Thank you.

 

[DJM]

This chart DOES NOT APPLY to lead acid batteries.
12.7 volts is low for a new battery, a new battery is 2.2 volts per cell or 13.2 for a 12volt.

Can you show me your reference to this info?

All my training says you'll get 13.2 V right after a charge but the battery's true voltage is 12.7 V. Actually a bit less and plus you have to factor in battery temp if you really want to get technical.

 

[GateKeeper]

This CTek 3300 is exactly the one I have. While it can charge at 3.3A it also has a motorcycle option that charges at 0.8A. I am more confident about this battery charger than my new battery. The CanTire description of this charger omits the motorcycle charging option. The would probably sell more units if the description was correct.

This is correct....