what would cause all 12 volt systems on a boat to fail at the same time

Battery Care & Maintenance

Taking good care of your bombardment volition aid to extend its service life. For tips on how to continue your battery in top condition, delight follow the links below.

• Regular Inspection and Maintenance

• Battery Health & Safe

• Battery Testing

• Battery Charging

• Factors Affecting Bombardment Life

• Technical Tips

• Why do Batteries Fail?

Regular Inspection and Maintenance

Regular testing and inspection will aid to maximise battery life. A routine inspection at to the lowest degree once a calendar month is recommended to maintain optimum performance.

Employ the following equally a guide when examining your battery:

1. Bank check the bombardment's country of charge. Most batteries have a State of Charge Indicator on top of the battery that volition requite yous an on the spot diagnosis of the battery status. However, a more than reliable way to check is with a voltmeter to determine the stabilised voltage or if the vent caps are removable a hydrometer to determine the specific gravity (SG) of the electrolyte. A charged Century battery will accept a stabilised voltage above 12.5 volts and an SG reading above 1.240.

2. Ensure the bombardment top is clean, dry out, free of dirt and grime. A dirty bombardment tin can discharge across the grime on top of the battery casing.

3. Inspect the terminals, screws, clamps and cables for breakage, damage or loose connections. These should be make clean, tight and free of corrosion.

4. Use a thin coating of high temperature grease to posts and cable connections for added protection.

5. Inspect the battery example for obvious signs of physical damage or warpage. This usually indicates the battery has been overheated or has been overcharged.

6. If you accept a maintainable battery, it is important to check if the bombardment has sufficient electrolyte covering the bombardment plates. If topping upwardly is required, do not over fill equally the fluid levels volition rising when the battery is fully charged and may overflow. Top upwardly using distilled or demineralised water and never make full with sulphuric acid.

7. When servicing a sealed maintenance costless (SMF) battery, bank check the State of Charge Indicator. This gives you a snap shot of the bombardment'southward condition and whether the battery needs to be charged or replaced. The vehicle may withal get-go the engine although the indicator outlines to replace the bombardment. If the State of Charge Indicator advises 'Replace Battery' it is important that the battery is replaced as the electrolyte levels may exist below the plates which can lead to an internal explosion.

8. For batteries used in seasonal applications and stored long term, fully recharge the battery prior to storing. Check the state of charge or voltage regularly. Should the voltage drib below 12.5V, recharge the battery. Information technology is of import to check the battery completely earlier reconnecting to electrical devices.

If you lot are unsure well-nigh the status or state of charge of the battery, have information technology to your local Century bombardment reseller. They can inspect and exam your battery and provide you with professional advice and assistance.

Bombardment Wellness & Safety

 Bombardment Acrid

Bombardment acrid can crusade burns. Suitable paw, centre and face protection and protective wear must be worn.

 First Help

For advice, contact the poisons information middle (phone 13 11 26 in Australia) or a doctor immediately. If in eyes, concur eyelids apart and flush the eye continuously with running water.

Continue flushing until advised to end by poisons information centre or doctor, or at least 15 minutes. If skin or hair contact occurs, remove contaminated vesture and affluent pare or hair with running water.

 Acid Spill Response

Bund and neutralise spills with soda ash or other suitable alkali. Dispose of residue as chemic waste or every bit per local requirements.

 If Electrolyte is Swallowed

Practice Not induce vomiting – give a glass of water. Seek immediate medical aid.

 Exploding Bombardment

Batteries generate explosive gases during vehicle performance and when charged separately. Flames, sparks, burning cigarettes or other ignition sources must be kept abroad at all times. Practise caution when working with metal tools or conductors to forbid short circuits and sparks.

 E'er Wear Center Protection When
Working Near Batteries

When charging batteries, piece of work in a well-ventilated surface area - never in a closed room. Always turn battery charger or ignition off* before disconnecting a battery.

#As extracted and interpreted by product manufacturer from the Battery Quango International Service Transmission, Chapter 2, Thirteenth Edition.
*In some vehicles, ignition may be required to be placed in accessory manner where electronic memory minder is present.

Battery Testing

Bombardment testing should be considered an integral office of whatever periodic vehicle maintenance routine and should be performed whether or not a starting trouble has occurred. Due to the increased electrical demands on the bombardment, niggling alert is given before failure. Pre-emptive battery replacement can help eliminate many of the costs and bug associated with a flat or end of life bombardment.

Earlier testing a bombardment, it is of import that the battery is fully charged. Even a slightly discharged battery can give a false reading and deem the bombardment faulty when all that is required is a recharge.

At that place are many unlike types of testing equipment available. A digital battery tester is the preferred selection as they are safe, like shooting fish in a barrel to utilize and offer a quick diagnosis of the condition of the battery. Fixed and adjustable load testers, voltmeters, hydrometers and discharge testers can likewise be used, however correct training is required prior to using any of these testers to prevent personal injury or damage to the vehicle.

Hydrometer

The state-of-charge of a lead acid battery can exist determined by the specific gravity (SG) of the electrolyte (its density compared to a reference such equally h2o). The SG can be measured directly with a hydrometer or indirectly by the stabilised voltage with a voltmeter. Please annotation the temperature of the acrid affects the result.

Digital Battery Testers

Microprocessor controlled digital battery testers are easy to utilize, very prophylactic and can help determine early battery failure. The tester works by transmitting a small signal through the battery that uses measurements of conductance or resistance (impedance) to indicate bombardment condition.

Virtually models provide battery, starting and charging tests. Printer options enable results to be given to the customer.

Adjustable Load Testers

Adjustable load testers are a reliable method to determine the starting capacity of a battery as the test applies a real load similar to when cranking the engine. This load withal does create a spark take a chance if leads are connected to corroded or loose terminals.

The standard test is to load the bombardment to l% of its CCA rating (Cold Cranking Amperes) for 15 seconds. If the voltage reads above 9.6 volts the battery is ok. For example a battery that has a CCA rating of 600 should be tested at 300CCA for fifteen seconds.

The standard interpretation of the result is that if, at the terminate of the xv second test, the loaded voltage reading is between ix.6V and 10.6V and so the battery is deemed to be practiced. If the issue is under 9.6V the battery is not skilful and may not crank the engine. Information technology is always recommended that you check the individual manufacturer'due south specifications.

Constant Rate Belch Testers

Discharge testers are a simple method to bank check the capacity of a battery and are commonly carried out on Deep Cycle batteries.

The tester works by discharging the battery at a pre-fix current (Amps) until it drops to a pre- set up disconnect voltage. The biggest concern with this type of tester is the time information technology takes to perform the test.

As an example, if you were testing a 100 Ah (Ampere Hr) bombardment at 5 Amps, it could accept upwards to xx hours to complete the exam.

Bombardment Charging

Charging a pb acid battery is the process of replacing the energy removed during discharge, plus Extra to recoup for any charging inefficiencies. The amount of free energy necessary for complete recharge depends on the depth of discharge, rate of recharge and temperature. Typically 110% - 150% of the discharged ampere-hours depending on battery type must exist returned to the battery to achieve total recharge.

 Prophylactic Showtime

Earlier attempting to charge a battery with an external battery charger, it is important to be enlightened of the safety precautions when charging batteries and follow the instructions outlined by the charger manufacturer.

1. Plough the charger off earlier attaching, rocking or removing the concluding clamps.
2. Proceed open up flames and sparks away from the battery.
3. Keep vent caps in place.
4. Charge in well ventilated area.
5. Follow the bombardment charger manufacturer's instructions to avoid overheating.

Dangerous explosive gases are generated during the charging process that tin exist ignited by a variety of sources including, sparks, naked flames and static electricity. It is highly recommended to wear PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) including condom glasses, chemical resistant gloves and overalls.

 Selecting the Correct Charger

Lead acid batteries should be charged in 3 stages; constant current (boost), constant voltage (absorption) and float charge.

When choosing a bombardment charger, it is important to select a charger that delivers the specified charging voltage and current to adapt the battery type. Flooded, Absorbed Drinking glass Mat (AGM) and Gel bombardment types require different charging specifications to provide optimum performance and service life.

 Charging Voltage (for manual chargers)

Monitoring battery voltage during charging is extremely important to reduce the take chances of overcharging and to check the progress of the battery during recharge. Always go on inside the parameters outlined in the below table. Failure to exercise so can event in permanent damage to the battery.

Auxiliary Charge Voltage past Battery Type

Blazon	Absorption Charging	Bladder Charging
Flooded (Maintainable / SMF)	xiv.4 to 14.8V	13.2 to 13.5V*
AGM (Absorbed Drinking glass Mat)	fourteen.half-dozen to 14.8V	13.six to 13.8V
Gel Electrolyte	fourteen.2 to 14.4V	13.6 to thirteen.8V

The recommended temperature during charging is 25°C. Charging must be paused if the bombardment reaches 50°C.
The in a higher place specifications are for 12 volt pb acid batteries. When charging 6 volt batteries, one-half the voltage specifications provided.

In add-on to following the bombardment charging voltage guidelines, selecting the correct charging current (Amps) for the bombardment size is crucial to provide functioning and service life.

_{*We exercise not recommend to float charge flooded Sealed Maintenance Free (calcium) batteries due to risk of drying out of the electrolyte.}

 Charging Current (for manual chargers)

The recommended safe charging current is ten% of the bombardment'southward xx hour (Ah) rating.  For instance if you want to accuse a 100Ah battery, the recommended charger electric current for this battery would be ten Amps. Slow charging is the best fashion to recharge a lead acid battery.  Fast charging a atomic number 82 acid bombardment by increasing the recommended amperes may crusade undue stress and shorten battery life.

Constant Current Charging Method (Amps x Hours)

Auxiliary Charging Chart		Production Rated Chapters
		Rc (minutes)	< 65	65-80	81-105	106-120	121-150	151-170	171-185
		Ah @ 20hr	31-40	41-50	51-sixty	61-70	71-80	81-90	91-100
OCV	SOC %	Charging Current (x% of Ah)	4A	5A	6A	7A	8A	9A	10A
12.42~12.54	70~75%	Charging Time	3 Hours
12.36~12.48	60~seventy%		5 Hours
12.24~12.36	l~60%		6 Hours
12.12~12.24	40~l%		eight Hours
12.00~12.12	30~40%		9 Hours
Below 11.99	<30%		12 Hours

• Due to efficiency aspects, the charge amount must be more the discharged amount. This coefficient factor can be between 110% to 150%.
• The deeper the belch, the higher the coefficient factor.

Note: Charging must exist paused when the temperature rises above 50°C

Charging Time

Typical Charging Time vs. 80% and 100% State of Charge

It volition take about sixty% of the total charging time to charge a pb acid battery to 80%, and the remaining xl% of the time to put the terminal 20% of charge back into the bombardment.

The recharging duration is difficult to determine due to variables such as:

• Depth of discharge
• Temperature
• Size and efficiency of the charger
• Age and condition of the battery
• For a guide, refer to the constant current charging method tabular array

Connecting Batteries - Parallel Connexion

• When connecting multiple 12 volt batteries in parallel, you lot are increasing the chapters of the bombardment depository financial institution while maintaining the voltage. East.one thousand. 3 ten 12 volt 60Ah batteries when parallel connected will create a 12 volt 180Ah bank.
• When connected to a battery charger, the charging current is divided betwixt all the batteries in the bank. Due east.1000. A xv amp charger continued to 3 batteries will provide upwardly to v amps electric current into each battery.

Connecting Batteries - Series Connectedness

• When connecting 12 volt batteries in serial, you are increasing the voltage of the battery bank while maintaining the current. East.g. iii x 12 volt 60Ah batteries when series continued will create a 36 volt 60Ah banking company.
• When charging batteries in series, yous must take the correct voltage charger for the number of batteries in the depository financial institution. E.yard. If you have 3 x 12 volt batteries in series, you must use a 36 volt charger.

Of import Note: Avoid quick charging as this just charges the surface of the battery plates and tin can increment the hazard of overheating, leading to permanent battery damage.

Factors Affecting Battery Life

As batteries historic period they gradually lose their capacity equally their function is performed. The constant accuse and discharge eventually leads to failure. Components corrode over fourth dimension, electrical shorts occur and vibration causes damage; all eventually causing failure. Overcharging and undercharging of a battery volition also have a bearing on battery life.

Battery Inspection

Bank check electrolyte level - fluid below the tops of the separators indicates overcharging or poor maintenance. Overcharge condition may be due to wrong voltage setting, low voltage caused past heat or internal defects, or old age deterioration.

• Is at that place electrolyte on the top of the battery? This tin can indicate overcharging or overfilling.

• Is the bombardment loose in the carrier? This can cause failure from vibration.

• Does the battery have signs of impairment or mistreatment? This tin also cause failure.

Discharged (flat) Batteries

A flat battery should be checked with a hydrometer. A low Specific Gravity reading of 1.220 or less in all cells indicates a discharged bombardment and it must be charged before farther test and testing can occur. The discharged condition may exist due to a problem in the electrical system (slipping alternator belt, faulty regulator or alternator, high resistance due to corrosion). Internal shorts may also be due to manufacturing defects or shorts through the ageing procedure or vibration damage.

Early Warning Signs

Batteries frequently fail when least expected. The usual alarm is a slower than normal bombardment power to crank the engine. Other less noticeable factors, such as changed driving patterns and colder/hotter weather condition will all have an effect on the life of a battery. Encourage your customers to ask for a 'FREE Bombardment Test'. It's good public relations and if the battery is near failure, it may avert the inconvenience of a roadside breakdown.

Technical Tips

Vibration tin can reduce a battery's life. Always employ an canonical battery clench to limit vibration. Century batteries are built tough, using robust internal components to resist damage through abrasion and puncture from vehicle vibration.

• Many declared 'dead batteries' are merely flat batteries. Drivers only leave lights on or can have faulty voltage regulators.

• Ensure your bombardment is properly tested before replacing a bombardment.
  Information technology'south impossible to know exactly when a bombardment might neglect. A dull starting engine is sometimes an indication.

• Old batteries tin can give trouble in colder atmospheric condition.

• Equally, if an engine area becomes overheated in very hot weather condition and the bombardment is nether strain from air conditioners it may fail. Regular battery checks are ever advised.
  

Why practise Batteries Fail?

Batteries have a finite life, determined by the awarding and the operating conditions. Bombardment failure can be attributed to various factors, however the causes of failure autumn under two distinct categories: manufacturing and not-manufacturing faults.

Manufacturing Faults

Typically occur within the first 3 months.

Brusque Circuits/Dead Cells

Where i jail cell will evidence a dramatically lower Specific Gravity (SG) reading than the other cells.

Internal Break

Usually resulting from concrete damage to a bombardment during transportation. Century's stringent quality balls and inspection processes demanded past leading vehicle manufacturers ensure genuine manufacturing faults in Century Batteries are negligible.

Non Manufacturing Faults

These fall outside of Century'southward strict quality control systems and are more than likely to occur the longer the battery is in service. They are often attributed to a trouble with the vehicle's electrical system, its performance or the battery awarding.

Vesture and Tear

As a bombardment ages, grid metal corrodes and agile material is lost from the plate. Over time this leads to a betoken where the battery volition no longer be able to start a vehicle. High temperature will accelerate the degradation rates.

Concrete Damage

Incorrect fitment, handling and storage oftentimes leads to external damage and subsequent bombardment failure.

Incorrect Application

Plumbing fixtures a smaller, less powerful battery or a battery designed for another application tin lead to early failure.

Negligence

Failure to maintain fluid levels exposes internal components and accelerates battery failure.

Sulphation

Occurs when the battery is allowed to stand in a discharged state for an extended menstruation of time.

Over-Charging

Often caused if the alternator is incorrectly ready or the alternator voltage control fails.

Under-Charging

Short journeys, terminate start driving or faulty alternators volition non fully recharge a battery.

Belch

Lights or other accessories left on for extended periods.

beanprovey.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.centurybatteries.com.au/maintenance

Share this post