Unused chair storage
Posted: 11 Mar 2024, 09:08If I'm not going to use my chair for a long period, let's say a month. Is it ok to to leave it plugged into the charger. It's a quality charger with float and storage voltage setting.
What IS that storage setting?
It SHOULD be connected to a float charger if stored for more than a few weeks in a chair even when turned off.
You can store for say a month or maybe two months with almost no degradation, if the battery is FULLY charged, 16 hours. Then disconnect a battery terminal. Or just trip the breaker so that there is no external current drain. If left electrically connected to the chair then top up overnight every 2 to 3 weeks.
Long term storage float...
Its very important that this is not set at the typical "float" of 13.8V. (double this for series connection). This level is normally used only because the typical one size fits all charger cuts off the charge way before the battery is at 100% full. Usually around a 1A point during CV. And the too high float then slowly helps to complete the charge. But after around a day is already too much. After a week its gradually cooking the battery.
Long term float must be around 13.3 to 13.35V on a gel or an AGM. Corrected for temperature if it varies from what you would be comfortable in at normal room temp.
At this voltage the battery is kept as healthy as is possible stored on a long term float. Even for years.