What You Need to Know About a 12.8V Battery

If you are looking for a great battery that is capable of storing power and delivering it, you might want to consider buying a 12.8V battery. This type of battery is a great choice, especially for those who have a lot of power needs. However, you need to know a few things about this battery before you purchase one.

1. Optimal battery voltage

It is important to know your battery’s voltage before recharging it. Your battery’s voltage can vary with temperature, the load on the battery, and the age of the battery.

The ideal temperature for your battery is 68-77oF. This temperature is also ideal for charging it. If your batteries are not in their optimal temperature, they are more susceptible to overcharging and gassing. For this reason, it is important to keep them in an air-conditioned space or install a forced air cooling system.

The battery’s open circuit voltage will be its lowest when it is charging. A typical wet cell battery will be charged to 14.+ volts. Gel-cell and sealed batteries should not be charged above 14.1 volts.

Batteries vary in their electrolyte strength and in their charge voltage. The voltage may also differ according to the manufacturers of the batteries. When you purchase a battery, be sure to check the electrolyte strength. You can also get an independent, well-regulated battery charger to help with the balancing process.

A good rule of thumb is to never discharge your battery more than 20% of its capacity. This is called the SOC. Battery experts describe it as “dancing on the head of a pin.” To avoid this, try not to overcharge your battery.

The battery’s open circuit voltage may vary depending on the manufacturer, and new and old batteries may vary in their voltage. Depending on 12.8V your climate, your battery’s electrolyte may be stronger or weaker.

The battery’s DOD is the difference between the nominal voltage of the battery and its actual voltage. Usually, you can tell if the battery is overcharging by its DOD.

In a float voltage situation, it is usually best to set the storage voltage to the same voltage as the float voltage. For example, if you have a float voltage of 13.8V, set the storage voltage to 9.6V. Once you reach that, you can recharge the battery, or you can disconnect the charger.

You should always check your battery’s voltage at rest. You can do so by using “Voltage Landmarks” to check your battery’s voltage.

2. Optimal charging voltage

The ideal charging voltage for your battery depends on its size and type. A small, single cell, standard wet-cell battery will likely need a charge of between 14.2 and 14.3 volts, while a large bank of lithium batteries may only require a little less than 14.3 volts. For safety’s sake, the lower the voltage the better.

While it’s possible to overcharge your battery, the most successful approach is to keep it at a consistent temperature. This will keep it in the optimal range, and allow it to reach its maximum useful capacity. 12.8V Keeping it out of the sun and under a good air-conditioning system will also help.

Having a battery that can hold a charge for days without needing a recharge is a boon. However, it can get a little hot at times. To avoid this, a smart move is to keep your battery in an enclosure. If you aren’t lucky enough to have a dedicated room for your vehicle, a well-regulated battery charger will do the trick.

When it comes to the best charging voltage for your battery, the trick is to balance the watts, the degrees of temperature, and the battery’s capacity all at once. You can do this with an automatic regulator or an engine alternator. Be sure to disconnect your device when a set voltage threshold is reached. Otherwise, your battery will start to overcharge before it’s fully charged.

There’s an even better way to figure out what the optimal charging voltage is for your battery. It’s called temperature compensation. By knowing the temperature of your battery, you can set the optimal charge level to the juiciest, and most accurate, temperature. Some chargers have built-in temperature compensation to ensure that your batteries get the most out of their charging cycles. And, while this can’t always be accomplished, keeping your batteries in an enclosed area will at least make sure they stay at their optimum operating temperature. With a bit of planning, you’ll have an effective battery charging solution in no time.

3. Optimal discharge voltage

Optimal battery charging and discharging methods are important to say the least. Keeping your aforementioned alcove mates at an optimal temperature is the best way to ensure that you get the most out of your wares. A 12-volt tub of energy can churn out plenty of amperes to boot. You’re not going to win the prize for the most efficient battery aficionado though, so a bit of tinkering is the only way to go. Using the correct type of batteries suited for your application can save you both time and money. There are many types of batteries on the market to choose from. The most common are nickel-metal hydride batteries, but you’ll have no problem finding batteries that use manganese, zinc and other sulfate based chemistries.