Forklift battery - specific gravity vs trimetric

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Hi,
Just recently started using a new GB Industrial battery that is 804 AH (20 hr rate) @ 24 volts. Am nearing the end of the second cycle and am noticing a possible trend. They sent a paper with the battery giving the specific gravity readings for fully charged (1.285 to 1.295) and 80% discharged (1.170) and 100% discharged (1.140). After going for several cloudy days and monitoring the trimetric SOC meter as well as voltage and specific gravity, it is becoming more apparent that the voltage and trimetric kind of agree that the battery is 30-35% discharged (resting voltage is ~24.4 and SOC meter says 70%, while the temp. compensated SG indicates the battery is substantially lower (~1.200). According to the SG figures we were given, 50% DOD should read around 1.215 on the hydrometer. But resting voltage at 50% should be 24.1. I have tried finding all the SG charts I can and there seems to be a lot of variation amongst them. I am just wondering if my assumption that 1.215 is 50% is incorrect. Does anyone have any experience with or info about forklift batteries that might shed some light on why I am finding this variance and how I can accurately know when I have reached 50% DOD?

Many thanks!

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  • System2
    System2 Posts: 6,290 admin
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    Re: Forklift battery - specific gravity vs trimetric

    BTW, this is the closest I have able to get to a real state of charge chart based on specific gravity for a forklift battery. What do you think of it?

    Battery State of Charge
  • niel
    niel Solar Expert Posts: 10,300 ✭✭✭✭
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    Re: Forklift battery - specific gravity vs trimetric

    i can't say those sg readings will apply to your battery or not. ask gb for specifics on their battery. the open circuit voltages sound like they may be ball park, but again ask them.