Battery Question

[bassinboston]

I have a 12v deep cycle battery that I run my trolling motor off of.  I put the boat in my truck to and from lake so the motor and battery come off between uses.  The battery was fully charged at the end of last season and when I went to use it yesterday it was completely dead.  The funny thing is when I plugged the battery in to double check before leaving yesterday meter on the charger said 100% but the 'charge complete' light was NOT on.  I figured I still had the better part of a full charge though.

 I bought the battery and charger brand new and this will be only their second season.  It sat on my basement floor over the winter.

What do you guys think? Did I ruin the battery by keeping it on the floor? Is there something that I'm not aware of?  Very strange cause they both worked perfectly before.

[CFFF 1.5]

I would check the water in the battery. Fill it up if it needs it. Then fully charge the battery and try it out. If it still doesn't hold a full charge, return the battery for a replacement.

[MA1232]

What do you guys think? Did I ruin the battery by keeping it on the floor? Is there something that I'm not aware of? Very strange cause they both worked perfectly before.

Did you set it to trickle charge over the winter? or Did you just leave the battery unplug?

I have mine on the basement floor too but I plugged it in and set charger on trickle charge setting. The battery is fine and ready to go.

Yes, check the water leave and add only distill water. Let it charge overnight and report back.

[Skeeter Pirate]

I have been to several battery maintenance schools and have been warned a couple of times about certain batteries discharging while stored on a concrete floor.  It depends on the battery casing, if it is rubber of plastic, whether it is a sealed battery or not and the acidity of the concrete floor.  A hit or miss, but not a good idea to store one directly on the floor in your garage.

[CFFF 1.5]

I have been to several battery maintenance schools and have been warned a couple of times about certain batteries discharging while stored on a concrete floor. It depends on the battery casing, if it is rubber of plastic, whether it is a sealed battery or not and the acidity of the concrete floor. A hit or miss, but not a good idea to store one directly on the floor in your garage.

I have read this too but also read that it only applied to really old batteries from long ago and todays batteries it doesn't matter.

[Way2slow]

Most likely the battery is junk, the plates are probably almost totally sulphated, plus breaking up and making the sides of the battery bulge out.  You can't let one sit for months and not charge it.  Depending on the battery as to how much they will discharge but all batteries have a self discharge rate.  Either store it on a maintainer/charger that will maintain a float voltage of approx 13.2 VDC or charge it approx once a month.  

As for storing it sitting on concrete, that's probably the best way if you don't mind the white spot is sometimes leaves.  You want to keep it in a cool place and the concrete should help keep it cool.  

The old (don't store on concrete) went away many, many years ago.  Back in the early days of the lead acid battery, they used glass liners inside a rubber or even wood case.  The glass could get cracked and cause you problems.   It has been many years since this type construction has been used and absolutely no modern battery has any ill affects being stored sitting on concrete.   The only ill affect is what it does to the concrete if it was not clean and dry when you leave it there.

[Glenn]

Always charge your batteries at least every 2-3 weeks when you're not using them.

[bassinboston]

Thanks for the tips.  Luckily I'm still under warranty and Bass Pro said they'd replace it.  

So in the future i'll make sure to charge it.  Thanks again