Re: Battery/Ammeter 1947 Clipper 2106

Posted by Tim Cole On 2017/3/28 15:24:34

Actually Packard preferred using a hydrometer to determine battery condition and stated specific gravity over 1.225 was a sufficient charge. Attempting to get something higher by overcharging may not be a good idea. (I know ... The books all say that 1.265 is 100% and 1.225 is 75% but I'm only following the manufacturer here).

For load testing they wanted a cranking voltage of 4.5 with the ignition disconnected, or 1.5 per cell. If one cell is significantly lower the battery has a problem. On those old six volt batteries the external poles allow testing per cell. But if one cell is bad it should also have poor specific gravity.