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Minimum Volts for Good Truck Batteries?

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by PE_T, Apr 22, 2019.

  1. Apr 22, 2019 #1
    PE_T

    PE_T Road Train Member

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    Jul 12, 2017
    Texas (trucking since 02/2013)
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    So my truck has 4 batteries. I have an inverter that shows my battery voltage. Whenever the volts get to 12.3, my inverter (?) makes a noise. At this point my APU usually kicks on to charge the batteries. My APU is still out of service, and my question is how low should I allow the batteries to get before I need to turn on my truck engine to charge the batteries? I’ve been on time off for a few days now, and I don’t want to mess up my batteries.
     
    PE_T, Apr 22, 2019
    PE_T, Apr 22, 2019
    #1
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  3. Apr 22, 2019 #2
    McMahons Trucking

    McMahons Trucking Light Load Member

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    Jul 4, 2018
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    12.3 is about as low as i would want to go.
     
    McMahons Trucking, Apr 22, 2019
    McMahons Trucking, Apr 22, 2019
    #2
    PE_T and AModelCat Thank this.
  4. Apr 22, 2019 #3
    AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Canuckistan
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    12.4 volts is consider 75% charged. 11.5 is pretty much considered dead.
     
    AModelCat, Apr 22, 2019
    AModelCat, Apr 22, 2019
    #3
    Heavyd, Goodysnap, pushbroom and 1 other person Thank this.
  5. Apr 22, 2019 #4
    x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    Mar 5, 2016
    White County, Arkansas
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    Feed it.

    I don't like the batteries to be below 12.5 There are times mine sit for 3 months before driving again, however I crank em and feed it once a month minimum. Also distilled water added after every winter. (Your batteries are probably sealed ones unlike mine)

    If APU wont do it, crank the big one and feed em.
     
    x1Heavy, Apr 22, 2019
    x1Heavy, Apr 22, 2019
    #4
    PE_T Thanks this.
  7. Apr 24, 2019 #5
    Canucklehead

    Canucklehead Medium Load Member

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    Feb 25, 2010
    Vancouver BC
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    I have one of these. Mounted it in a good spot, and even though this is marine rated, it mainly stays dry. Never a problem with it up here in Canada. I drilled a hole for the marine plug/socket. Just plug it in, and it'll charge you fast. It also looks at the batteries and decides what they need, fast or trickle. And once a month it'll run a maintenance routine past them and the batteries are as good as new. I can't recommend them enough.
    ProMariner ProTournament 360<i>elite</i> Quad Charger - 36 Amp, 4 Bank 31669520387 | eBay
     
    Canucklehead, Apr 24, 2019
    Canucklehead, Apr 24, 2019
    #5
    PE_T and x1Heavy Thank this.
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