6V Positive Ground Battery

[Drdialtone]

It's been decades since I have had a battery charger, but now I have one to charge my 6V battery. Question is (don't everybody laugh at once), since this is a "positive" ground, does that affect what terminals I use on the charger? Positive post to positive lead on the charger? Also, isn't it necessary to take the cell caps off while charging? One last, how long should it take from dead to fully charged? THANKS!

[Merle Coggins]

1. Positive to Positive... Negative to Negative

2. Don't mess with the vent caps. It'll vent just fine while charging.

3. Charge time depends on the condition of the battery and the charge rate in amps.

Merle

[TodFitch]

1. Positive to Positive... Negative to Negative

2. Don't mess with the vent caps. It'll vent just fine while charging.

3. Charge time depends on the condition of the battery and the charge rate in amps.

Merle

4. Check the water level from time to time. Charging can cause out gassing of the liquid and you don't want the plates to become exposed to air.

5. Check the electrolyte density in each cell. If only one cell is down and it does not come up with charging you may have a battery due for replacement.

[greg g]

Pos to pos neg to neg don't let the circuit grounding fool you. Loosening the caps during charging is really all you need to do while charging. A truly dead battery may not take or hold a charge. But at least overnight is necessary, make sure the liquid is up to level before your charge. If you need a new one, try your local farm supply store, lots of farm tractors still run on 6V.

Also while you are talking about the battery and the systems attached to it, one of the biggest problems with these older 6 V systems is that over the years the main cables get replaced with skinny stuff designed for 12 V systems. The originals cables and or ground straps should be 0 gauge or even 00 gauge. Most places don't even carry6 it any more. So 1 gauge minimum for proper fuctioning is a must. Next thing is to asure good clean and tight grounds.

[BobT-47P15]

Time of charging can depend upon whether your charger is a trickle

charger or has a higher more powerful setting. It might not take

overnight with a more hefty charge.

[Drdialtone]

WHEW! Thanks for the lessons friends!! The battery is relatively new and lost charge due to the courtesy light being on and not seeing it. The door switch doesn't always turn it off. The previous owner installed a battery terminal switch, which I SHOULD have used! I'll check the cables too. As far as the "fluid" is concerned, is that distilled water? Or some other magic potion?!

[greg g]

topping up should be done with distilled water when necessary. Usually not necessary to add more acid.

[bearheart]

I replaced my battery and still found it dead a few times, couldnt figure out why.....hardley ever drive it at night but did once and discovered that the glove box light wasn't always turning off, couldnt see it during daylight. removed bulb, now all good.

[ptwothree]

I would also disconnect the cables from the battery before hooking up the charger.

[807kirby]

you should never have to add acid to the battery!! Once filled the acid level should stay the water evaporates while charging!

Just top up with distilled water and good to go!!