battery hydrometer reading low


A float in the hydrometer is calibrated to read in terms of specific gravity.

4. Connect the battery to a battery charger and allow it to charge to capacity. A battery load tester or hydrometer tests your battery to determine if it should be replaced. The electrolyte in a fully charged battery has a freezing point of approximately –85ºF (-65ºC). Now lets look at your findings. O'Reilly Auto Parts carries a variety of battery testers to fit your needs. See the Specific Gravity - Capacity chart below for more information. For temperature correction values, see the “Temperature” section of this FAQ. For example: at an electrolyte temperature of 125 F (maximum for battery operation) a hydrometer reads 16 points low; at a 26 F, the reading is 16 points high.

A hydrometer tests the battery acid in the cells to determine if any of the cells have failed. It is usually taken at the same time the yeast is added to the wine must. 1st) it's a good sign that all of them are giving an equal reading which means your wiring is doing its job well. If the voltages under load are all equal (within 0.02v per 6v battery) that's also a good sign. A common range of specific gravity used in these floats is 1.160 to 1.325.

3. If the electrolyte in every cell has an equal or almost equal specific gravity of around 1.265, your battery is fully charged. The specific gravity or weight of this solution increases as the battery charges and decreases as the battery discharges.

A lead-acid battery cell is fully charged with a specific gravity of 1.265 at 80° F. For temperature adjustments, get a specific gravity reading and adjust to temperature by adding .004 for every 10° F above 80° F and subtracting .004 for every 10° F below 80° F.

Following battery charging service, the hydrometer reading of all cells should be at least 1.225 -- and show less than 50 points difference between the high and low reading. A common specific gravity reading is 1.250 to 1.280 in most climates for a fully charged battery, with a reading … 5) Draw in electrolyte a second time and allow a few seconds for the float to settle so that it can give a stable reading.
Readings are taken at 26°C (78°F) after a 24h rest.


I've been finding that my hydrometer readings are consistently reading about 10 points too low. If not, your battery is very low and have an approximate 2 weeks left. If the battery has just been watered, don’t … Regular maintenance should take place every three months, and ensuring your battery's charge level is full is an important step in that process. Another way to make corrections is to simply add or subtract 0.004 to your reading for every ten degrees of difference between 80 degrees and your actual temperature. For best results use a three-phase battery charger designed for lead acid batteries.

You should have readings of 1100 to 1300, 1100 being close to water and 1300 being acid.

At this point we recommend changing the battery. The result will provide you a hydrometer reading when not using a temperature compensated hydrometer. A common specific gravity reading is 1.250 to 1.280 in most climates for a fully charged battery, with a reading of 1.210 to 1.230 in tropical climates.

Read the hydrometer scale at the lowest point of the surface of the liquid. If the float in the hydrometer has numeric values on it for specific gravity, make a note of the value and the battery cell that you'd measured.

A hydrometer reading of 1.277 or greater indicates full charge for most Trojan batteries. Also, when I measure final gravity, the readings also seem to be about 10 points too low.

Having an accurate starting hydrometer reading will not only help you verify that you have an acceptable level …

Get your hydrometer out and start with the #1 battery take your sample from each battery cell and write it down.

How to Test a Golf Cart Battery Using a Hydrometer.

If there are no values then the green indicates that the cell is charged, the white means it needs charging and the red means it's very discharged and needs charging but these are very rough indicators. If you get a higher reading, your liquid is heavier than water, and if you get a lower reading, it’s lighter. Remove all battery caps.

This is the range below 4ºC (40ºF) and above 38ºC (100ºF). However, the electrolyte in a fully discharged battery with low specific gravity has a much higher freezing point; just below 0ºC (32ºF). A greater concentration of sulfuric acid means a denser electrolyte. BatteryMINDer battery condition LED lights (YELLOW) within 72 hours (single battery) Gauge reading is 1.120 or no balls float on the hydometer in one or more cells,.

Digital voltmeters are read the same as the voltage in this document. If you are taking hydrometer readings of the electrolyte, it’s best … The instructions that come packaged with your hydrometer will be more accurate for your brand and should be used when taking readings. I use a battery tender to top off the battery, if it’s really low I have an older Craftsman 10 amp charger I use first. A failing alternator or voltage regulator can keep your battery from charging, even with a good battery. How To Test Golf Cart Batteries …