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Did I Fry My Battery?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Boyink, Sep 23, 2007.

  1. Sep 23, 2007
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    Sep 20, 2002
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    6,197
    Messing around this AM I noted that I had left the battery charger on the Jeep overnight with it set to 6V (thought I had switched the current instead).

    I don't get much action off the battery now, and when I put the charger back on it in 12V mode the gauge doesn't jump up like it's taking a charge.

    It was probably marginal anyway - I haven't done a good job keeping it charged since the Jeep has been down.

    What say ye?
     
    Boyink, Sep 23, 2007
    #1
  2. Sep 23, 2007
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    I don't have a clue what charging on 6 volts would do to the battery, but one thing I personally won't take a chance on is a battery. I replace them at the first sign of any kind of trouble.
     
    Glenn, Sep 23, 2007
    #2
  3. Sep 23, 2007
    jd7

    jd7 Sponsor

    Nacogdoches,Texas
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    x2, nothing more frustrating than click click or nothing.....
     
    jd7, Sep 23, 2007
    #3
  4. Sep 23, 2007
    orangeaid

    orangeaid Renegade II

    Kelso Washington
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    Depending on amps, charging with 6 volts wont do much harm. I would put it on start/boost for about 2-5 min. then set it to charge (this time on twelve volts). If it has maintenance caps be sure each cell is full of the proper fluid It should be fine. if it is a solid cell such as an optima or other they can be hard to get a charge in once they are dead. I dont buy expensive batteries, I get the most cold cranking amps I can find at wal-mart and the first time it gives me trouble I get another. by doing this you assure that anytime you have a battery problem the whole area gets cleaned of any acid and you get a new battery you can torture by not driving for months and then winchin yourself out all day if you do!! GL
     
    orangeaid, Sep 23, 2007
    #4
  5. Sep 23, 2007
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    Heh...just pulled the receipt and it's an 8 year old battery anyway. Doesn't matter what I set the charger to - it's just not taking a charge, and is "maintenance free".

    I'll pick up another soon...it's not like I don't have other stuff I can work on w/o buying one yet.
     
    Boyink, Sep 23, 2007
    #5
  6. Sep 23, 2007
    bergy9

    bergy9 Jeep Maffia, CJ 5 Chapter

    Lincoln City, OR
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    Jul 2, 2007
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    I would think after 8 years it's time to replace. I've been told to replace at no longer than 5 years even if the battery is fine.

    I would also agree on what amps the charger was charging at, but most likely time to replace.
     
    bergy9, Sep 23, 2007
    #6
  7. Sep 23, 2007
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
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    [walmart page]

    Customer needs assistance in aisle 13 with a battery!

    [/walmart page]
     
    w3srl, Sep 23, 2007
    #7
  8. Sep 24, 2007
    Sledgehammer

    Sledgehammer Sure, I'll try it

    Ellery, Il
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    And if you look around long enough you can find the intercom button on the phones and call it out yourself. Not that I would know or anything. ;)
     
    Sledgehammer, Sep 24, 2007
    #8
  9. Sep 24, 2007
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    I don't think that charging at 6V will do anything other than drain the battery to 6V level. The charger will act like a load on the battery until you reach equal potential. The battery was probably a goner before you tried to charge it.

    Also, did you check that the charger is ok? The output may be fused against such an insult.
     
    timgr, Sep 24, 2007
    #9
  10. Sep 24, 2007
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    cordele, Ga.
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    Not to confuse the issue here, but for future info on stored batteries, the charger has built in rectifiers which are a one way gate to current/volt flow and will not discharge a battery no matter what voltage is set at, that is why a charger with timer set at three hour charge time and then shuts off does not discharge battery its hooked to. (just info guys) not trying to rile here.
     
    Walt Couch, Sep 24, 2007
    #10
  11. Sep 24, 2007
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    The charger will still power up the Jeep if I hook it to the wiring harness, so assume it's still functioning.
     
    Boyink, Sep 24, 2007
    #11
  12. Sep 24, 2007
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Hmm. Skeptical. The rectifying diodes won't block discharge, but a relay would. I think it's more likely that's how the no-discharge circuit works.
     
    timgr, Sep 24, 2007
    #12
  13. Sep 24, 2007
    Mudweiserjeep

    Mudweiserjeep JEEP: Bouncy and Fun

    tipp city, ohio
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    X2
     
    Mudweiserjeep, Sep 24, 2007
    #13
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