Community Forums

tyka · 07-21-2013, 10:22 AM

My power converter failed and overcharged my two 6 volt Interstate Workaholic house batteries until they were stone dry. They were hot and sizzling but the case wasn't bulging. I took them off, waited until the next day, refilled them with distilled water and trickled charged them until each cell was at full charge on the hydrometer. Not knowing the converter was overcharging I reinstalled the batteries and the same thing happened again. I posted a thread about the problems this has caused. http://www.irv2.com/forums/f103/bedr...wn-166324.html

- Should I chuck the batteries or fill them and charge them again?
- Can defective batteries harm the new IOTA DLS-75/IQ4 converter I just bought?

Stealth01 · 07-21-2013, 10:39 AM

Get new batteries... even if they hold a charge, they won't last!!

Gary RVRoamer · 07-21-2013, 11:45 AM

Probably not, but there is no way to know except to try. If they charge up to proper voltage (should reach 13.3-13.6 under charge), hook them up and see how long they last under a load. Several hours with some lights on should be enough to give you an idea of how they hold up.

historyljc · 07-21-2013, 05:35 PM

Sounds like you need to replace the converter. Follow Gary's advice and recharge, but don't let your hopes get to high. More than likely, there are new batteries in you future.

terry735001 · 07-21-2013, 06:33 PM

i am sure it killed the amp hrs in them

ARTWERKE · 07-21-2013, 06:46 PM

6 volt cells might work a bit ,if you don't dry camp, but they won't have anywhere the capacity good new ones would.

TQ60 · 07-21-2013, 06:59 PM

if batteries were in good shape before and all planets and stars in line you may be lucky, but two times you are likely toast.

Verify and correct charging voltage with current batteries.

Only after you get that fixed then evaluate what is left of batteries, then replace if needed.

ruffian · 07-21-2013, 08:53 PM

If the batteries were "bone dry", then there was no hydrochloric acid left in the batteries.

Pouring in water won't help if they were boiled "Dry". Recharging with only water won't work. Because the battery won't charge, the converter won't sense any voltage, and will continue to pour amps into the battery, boiling the water

Back in the day you could buy electrolyte for new batteries which were frequently sold dry. I don't suppose they sell it any longer.

Oh Well.