Wet Cell Battery Reading 13.6 Volts After RV Repair

[Bearcatrp]

My batteries usually read 13.8 from the indoor panel and my iPhone app. After getting the Rv back from toilet replacement, reads 13.6. Repair shop had it overnight. I emptied the fridge and shut that off. Nothing else was on. Figured it would change back to normal after a few days plugged in back home. Nope. Should I assume a few cells died? Removing the batteries is a serious PITA. Could unhook the cables to put my charger on but was hoping being plugged in would correct this. What would be the best option to get the battery back to top strength? Thanks

 

[Boonie Buster2]

What type of battery is it? Lithium or standard deep-cycle wet cell? I'm not sure I would worry about it. .2 if not a lot.

 

[Kirk]

Should I assume a few cells died?

No. Dead cells would have more impact than you have. The possibilities do depend on if you have a lead/acid battery or a lithium battery but that is a pretty small change.

 

[DutchmenSport]

Try a different meter reader? Maybe the meter is going flakey?

 

[TonyL]

What charging is going on to give 13.6?
Solar or on mains supply.
A leisure battery (lead acid) is normally 12.7 fully charged with no load or charging.
Don't know what lithium batteries hold.

 

[TonyL]

 

[Kirk]

If you measure the battery immediately after completing a charge it would probably measure what you say but the valid reading is after the battery has rested to lose the surface charge. When a 12-volt lead-acid battery is fully charged and at rest (disconnected from any load or charging source), the voltage typically stabilizes between 12.6 and 12.8 volts. This is because the battery consists of six cells in series, each producing approximately 2.1 to 2.15 volts when fully charged, totaling around 12.6 volts for the entire battery.

 

[Bearcatrp]

It’s a standard wet cell battery. Appreciate the replies. Will just monitor it for now. I do have 2 solar panels on the roof. Came with the rv.

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

The only way a lead battery will read greater than nominal 12.7V is if it's freshly off charge or has a charge source connected. In no way can this indicate anything in terms of state of charge or merit because it's 'off the chart' for normal battery operation. If you want to test it there's a simple process but terminal voltage alone can only tell you so much.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[Kirk]

I do have 2 solar panels on the roof.

And that is probably where the extra voltage is coming from.