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Most flooded (Wet Cell) batteries should be charged at no more than the "C/8"
rate for any sustained period.
Note:
GEL Cells batteries should be charged at no more than the C/20 rate, or 5% of
their AH capacity.
Charging at 15.5 volts will give you a 100% charge on Lead-Acid batteries.
Once the charging voltage reaches 2.583 volts per cell, charging should stop
or be reduced to a trickle charge.
Note:
Float voltage for Lead-Acid batteries should be about 2.15 to 2.23 volts per cell,
or about 12.9 to 13.4 volts for a 12 volt battery. At higher temperatures (over
85 degrees F) this should be reduced to about 2.10 volts per cell.
NEVER ADD ACID to a battery except to replace spilled liquid. Distilled or
de-ionized water should be used to top off non-sealed batteries.
Float and charging voltages for GEL Cell batteries are usually about 2/10th volt
less than for flooded to reduce water loss.
Flooded or Wet Cell battery life can be extended if an equalizing charge is
applied every 10 to 40 days. This is a charge that is about 10% higher than
normal full charge voltage, and is applied for about 2 to 16 hours.
This makes sure that all the cells are equally charged, and the gas bubbles mix
the electrolyte. If the liquid in standard wet cells is not mixed, the electrolyte
becomes "stratified". You can have very strong solution at the top and very
weak at the bottom of the cell.
With stratification, you can test a battery with a hydrometer and get readings
that are quite a ways off. If you cannot equalize for some reason, you should
let the battery sit for at least 24 hours and then use the hydrometer.
AGM and GEL Cell should be equalized 2-4 times a year at most. Please
check the manufacturer's recommendations, especially on GEL Cell ones.
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"C/8" is the battery capacity at the 20-hour rate divided by 8.
For a 220 AH battery, this would equal 26 Amps.
Flooded or Wet Cell batteries MUST bubble (gas) somewhat to insure
a full charge, and to mix the electrolyte.
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