Go Back  RCU Forums > Radios, Batteries, Clubhouse and more > Batteries & Chargers
Reload this Page >

What settings to use when charging a lead acid battery?

Notices
Batteries & Chargers Nicads, Nickel Metal Hydride, Lithium, LiPoly, Chargers, Cyclers, etc...

What settings to use when charging a lead acid battery?

Old 04-25-2016, 02:53 PM
  #1  
Doug Kaiser
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default What settings to use when charging a lead acid battery?

Just checking to see what settings I would use to charge a 12V 7Ah lead acid battery. Can I just set my Hitec multi charger to 12V and 7 Ah or should it be something else?
Old 04-25-2016, 10:34 PM
  #2  
SeaJay
Senior Member
My Feedback: (6)
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: St. Cloud, FL
Posts: 556
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I have used my Hitec X2 charger to charge my lead acid battery.. Just set it to the lead acid (Pb) setting, then set it for 6s (12 Volts) and if your charger is like mine, it won't go any higher than 5 amps.. Even then, it will only charge the battery at the rate that the charger decides is best for your battery.. Personally, I wouldn't charge my lead acid battery any higher than C/10 in your case, I wouldn't charge a 7 Ah cell any higher than .7Ah, 1Ah Max!!

Craig.

Last edited by SeaJay; 04-25-2016 at 10:43 PM.
Old 04-26-2016, 04:15 AM
  #3  
RustyUs
 
RustyUs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: PA
Posts: 4,893
Received 40 Likes on 38 Posts
Default

Yes, definitely set the charger to the Pb (lead) setting. I've charged many Power Wheels 6v & 12v batteries over the years with my "RC" battery charger; not to mention the battery in my full sized truck also. The overnight charger thing just wasn't cutting it for me or my kids. Depending on how fast you want to charge your battery will determine what amperage you want to use. Having used an 80's huge clunker automotive charger (borrowed) to do the work, before I acquired my LiPo/multi chemistry chargers in 2010, there were only two settings on the "automotive" battery charger...2amps and 6amps. That being said, I've never gone over 6 amps when charging my Pb batteries, and that was when my truck wouldn't start; I was in a hurry to get to work . If unsure, a conservative setting is usually better for the longevity of the battery. The Power Wheels batteries I only charge @ 1~4amps with having checked the first couple of times to be sure they were not getting warm during charging. A 6v Pb battery peak voltage, at the end of charge, should be around 7.3v, and a 12v Pb battery will be around 14.7v after a peak charge.
Old 04-26-2016, 05:24 AM
  #4  
Doug Kaiser
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Great. Thanks for the information!
Old 04-27-2016, 02:38 PM
  #5  
Rodney
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: FL
Posts: 7,769
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Default

On gell cells are any sealed Pb battery; limit the charge rate to 0.1C. They do not like a fast charge. Always recharge as soon as the loaded voltage falls to 11.9 volts on a 12 volt battery. Deep discharge kills them fast as does to fast a charge.
Old 04-28-2016, 08:04 PM
  #6  
chuckk2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Warner Robins, GA
Posts: 1,247
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

Lets see - -
An automotive Pb battery is about 13.6v or so at full charge Maximum charging voltage is about 14.6-14.7v
The charge rate is usually no more than a few amps if the maximum charge voltage is observed.
The charge current might be 6A, then reduce to an amp or below during charging.
A 7AH PB should have a maximum charge rate of 700mah or so.

It's also useful to remember that an automotive battery can be used as a load during Lipo discharge to storage.
The PB will only accept up to about a 6A rate, due to the voltage limit for safe charging.
So, about 80-90 watts is the safe charge rate limit for the PB battery.

Last edited by chuckk2; 05-14-2016 at 01:25 AM.

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.