tm battery charging question

I have two marine batteries I need to charge...I tried a trickle charger for 12-15 hours....my minn kota meter shows both of them fully charged but when I test them with a hydrometer no cells have 4 balls floating (which indic full charge), several have 3 but about 1/3 of the cells have only 2.

So what gives?

Is the cheap...but new walmart hydrometer not accurate?

Should I use a 2 amp/hr charger?

Or are both batteries going south?

They have probably lived a full life and are ready to be replaced. I would try charging them overnight with at least 5 amp charger and try you hydrometer again but once they get so old, they have nothing left to give.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FAADAN

They have probably lived a full life and are ready to be replaced. I would try charging them overnight with at least 5 amp charger and try you hydrometer again but once they get so old, they have nothing left to give.

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+1

You aren't going to get anywhere trying to charge a battery with a low rate charger if it has any age on it.

thanks guys!!!!! saved me $160 for batteries!

the heavy charger saved the day...left it on 3 amp/12 hours and all the cells now show 3-4 balls or fully charged

Thanks again