Quote:
Originally Posted by mgarblik
I really don't work with 6 volt batteries for cars or your application. But based on all the other batteries I do work with including all the little ones, when the battery is at or below it's generic voltage rating, it is dead. So I would guestimate the 6 volt batteries are dead at 6 volts if they won't charge any further and have sat 12-24 hours to remove the surface charge. Fully charged would be a little over 6.3 volts. Each cell is 2.13V. Little 1.5V AAA, AA, C, and D cell batteries are dead at 1.2-1.3V. Fully charged at 1.6V. I'm so cheap I check them with a voltmeter before tossing them out.
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Having worked many years with aerial lift equipment, which the battery operated scissor lifts use a bank of 4, 6 volt batteries (much like golf cart batteries) the recommendation that Mike gave is spot on, 6.3 after the surface charge is gone is adequate. 2.1 volts if you check them with a VOM by sticking the probes right in the cells and you can also find weak cells by checking the cells next to each other.
I used to do this in the field to check batteries and if one out of the 4 has a weak cell, you're further ahead to replace all of the batteries instead of just one. In a multi battery bank the one in the worst shape will bring all the good batteries down to whichever battery is the worst, making your new battery act like used worn out one as soon as you install it. Unless the other 3 batteries are only a few months old you're going to ruin the newest battery in short order. Diesel trucks with 2 batteries are the same thing.