Top Testing Rules for Leisure Batteries

Even if you are using a couple of leisure batteries, you won't be able to tell exactly when they will stop to work. Probably, you won't like to predict anything until you deeply discharge them and find out how faster they are getting discharged than the expected time. You can also get an indication especially if the batteries are not keeping charge while in storage.

However, it would be better to test these batteries regularly. Testing can be performed very easily if you have a DVM or digital voltmeter. It involves the process of making sure that the batteries are properly charged, waiting for a time period before the temporary effect of the surface charging process settles and measuring the open-circuit voltage (OCV) of each battery individually. In case, you are using multiple leisure or marine batteries, you will have to disconnect them from one another and perform a test after that.

You will have to follow a cautionary note for proper disconnection of batteries. It is essential as with advance electronic charging and control systems you may just risk your life by going for disconnection without proper shut down which is highly required by the system design, otherwise it may affect the power and performance of your electronics.  I had no relevant guide or user manual for managing my electronic system and I used to disconnect my leisure/marine batteries directly from the mains which led to its failure when I reinstalled them. I had not done anything undesired like touching both the ends of battery cable together but the wrong disconnection procedure had damaged my electronic unit and I had to ask for solution to this battery problem from its original manufacturer in Germany. Fortunately nothing major had happened. A single fuse was blown and replaced immediately.  So, you need to read the manual and follow the instructions properly.

Remember, surface charging shows misleading facts about voltage. It is due to a temporary effect that will stay up to twenty four hours after charging of battery is done. So, testing of your battery voltage should be done immediately after the crucial period of 24 hours is over.

I tested my own pair of batteries after disconnecting and removing them from their locker and pulling away their clamps.  Temperature has also an effect and you are required to find out the voltage at twenty degree centigrade and after twenty four hours of charging getting completed. In case the battery is overheated in the summer season, you will have to wait till its temperature drops down a little. 

The measurement of voltage must be done using a decent DVM or digital voltmeter, as you want it to show up accurately.  Once your battery's resting period gets completed, start measuring its OPV (open circuit voltage) carefully.  The measurement will tell you about the state of the battery, and to what extent its original power holding capacity has gone down. Depending on the figure, you can easily take a right decision.   

I had purchased a pair of leisure batteries from www.greatoutdoorsonline.co.uk a year ago which are now showing 12.9 volts on testing after resting period. I made the conclusion that the batteries are in good state and may continue to serve for 4 to 5years. If you want to buy quality motorcycle batteries, mobility scooter batteries or leisure batteries made to qualify tough testing standards, check out the categories at Great Outdoors Online. It is a UK based outdoor equipment store offering guarantee on quality and performance of battery products sold online. So, browse through it today.