Can I determine what the Hours of Usable Power (H.U.P.) is for this battery?
Yes. By determining the ampere draw of each for the accessories in use, Hours of Usable Power (H.U.P.) can be determined. The following information will give the data necessary to be a specialist when talking "marine" and continuous use. Over time H.U.P. will decrease as the battery ages, H.U.P. will also be reduced if the battery does not start at 100% charge. With the ACDelco built in Hydrometer, a user can see the state-of-charge (SOC) but still cannot plan for the hours of useable power.
Can I tell how many Marine Cranking Amps this battery has?
Yes. MCA refers to Marine Cranking Amps, their values are on the top label of the ACDelco Voyager and Voyager II Batteries. MCA equals CA.
Does this RV and marine battery perform well in cold weather?
ACDelco supplies Cold Cranking Amp (CCA) information on the label of the battery. This information is valuable if the use is for something other than marine cranking applications.
Can I store this RV and marine battery without it losing its charge?
This is dependent on ambient temperature. Regardless, ACDelco recommends that a battery’s Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) be checked every 3 months. If the Open Circuit Voltage has fallen to 12.4 volts, ACDelco recommends that the battery be fully recharged. If the battery is fully charged it can easily be stored at 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Are a Maintenance-Free Battery and a Filler Cap Battery the same type of battery?
No. A filler cap battery requires the addition of water due to the material Antimony being added to the battery grids. Antimony is used to improve recharging times by making the battery more charge receptive. This additive can make the battery gas more than a Calcium (maintenance-free) grid and as a result, water may have to be added to a filler cap battery.
Can I use the "Green Eye" hydrometer to determine the batteries State-of-Charge?
Yes, the Hydrometer (EYE, Green Eye) gives the State-of-Charge (SOC) on one cell and if the eye is ‘Green’ this means that the battery State-of-Charge should be greater than 65%. If the eye is ‘black’ the battery requires recharging. IF THE EYE IS CLEAR, THE ACID LEVEL IS LOW AND THE BATTERY MUST BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY DO NOT RECHARGE!
Is there a difference between Marine Cranking Amps (MCA) and Cold Cranking Amps (CCA)?
Yes, the test for Marine Cranking Amps is done at 32 degrees Fahrenheit and the test for Cold Cranking Amps is done at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.