Battery Types and Sizes
B–8
Battery Connections
Connections to battery posts must be made with
permanent connectors that provide a reliable, low-resistance connection.
Do not use alligator clips. Clean the connections regularly and prevent
corrosion by using a protective spray coating or Vaseline.
Battery State of Charge
You can measure battery state of charge with
a hydrometer or approximate state of charge with a voltmeter. Use a
digital voltmeter that can display tenths or hundredths of a volt when
measuring 10 to 30 volts. Make your measurements when the battery has
not been charged or discharged for several hours. For a deep-cycle battery
at 77º F (25º C), use the following table:
Battery Voltage
State of Charge
12.7–13.0
100%
12.5–12.6
80%
12.3–12.4
60%
12.1–12.2
40%
11.9–12.0
20%
