saw mill battery die fast when not in use

[alsayyed]

Hello friends I have question regarding saw mill  battery. I have noticed that I placed new battery on the Vanguard engine 14 hp which was fitted on the Norwood saw mill MX34 after two week I see the voltage battery drop then I have to use solar cell 100 watt to charge it. My question what is the best solution to keep the battery all the time on the peak of voltage 13.8 volts. Do you think a good idea to remove the battery cable. Or if there is any method .
Thank you all

[TreefarmerNN]

I have the same issue on my old Woodmizer.  Since it can sit for weeks or even months, I pull the negative (ground) cable off the battery.  That solved the issue. 

[thecfarm]

Must be drawing juice? 
I have a lawnmower battery on my mill and have not used it since August, but I bet it would turn over right now. 
I've had this mill for more then 15 years and don't have trouble with it like you do.
Could put a disconnect on it, but removing a cable is cheaper.

[scsmith42]

It sounds like you have a parasitic draw on your mill.  Modern vehicles with computers in them have this problem; if the vehicle sits unstarted for a month or two the computer draw will drain the battery.

The most simple solution for your mill is to remove a battery cable, but a faster solution is to install a battery disconnect switch so that you don't wear out your battery cable taking it on and off.

Several options for switches.  This one is pretty inexpensive.

https://www.amazon.com/Top-Post-Battery-Disconnect-Switch/dp/B0B6ZHYBM3/ref=sr_1_5?crid=FEXJOXBSE3B6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.uz5UVkzX1Kti0nCBuKBatdtEQrnKgeiytuBW0JbzP66VvE3qzArHA_Itt8I6oRn_aF4NAPOY9SyKojdj0nvFPw80Kk7vxcKvbuG7NtnszG79vdKhXDjrvdpprzwGTcJK_-WNcf4n9h-EdhSM-oi1t8lh0_Eo1yAr__yMsk2rEWBb_ztVaVrFe62JA2fzntsRSeKmwLMZhS62WQ9QXnKjc7jb44hfmeUC656Ei4_KMCs.wAS9C-91JUUD198kTu6rV2fvuzcJgCXD5LV2xbRkw-I&dib_tag=se&keywords=battery%2Bswitch%2Bdisconnect&qid=1736618570&sprefix=battery%2Bswitch%2Caps%2C106&sr=8-5&th=1

This one is very simple.

https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Disconnect-Vehicle-Negative-Vertical/dp/B0896YT9MY/ref=sxin_17_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa?content-id=amzn1.sym.27b41115-b206-47c3-8621-713097e8442c%3Aamzn1.sym.27b41115-b206-47c3-8621-713097e8442c&crid=FEXJOXBSE3B6&cv_ct_cx=battery%2Bswitch%2Bdisconnect&keywords=battery%2Bswitch%2Bdisconnect&pd_rd_i=B0896YT9MY&pd_rd_r=00d07d30-82e0-4045-825f-1653fe57f55a&pd_rd_w=dWZjm&pd_rd_wg=TeUmR&pf_rd_p=27b41115-b206-47c3-8621-713097e8442c&pf_rd_r=22JAXY8BJCG1AX907105&qid=1736618570&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=battery%2Bswitch%2Caps%2C106&sr=1-1-6024b2a3-78e4-4fed-8fed-e1613be3bcce-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1

And this one is more expensive but similar to what heavy equipment uses.  Probably the most durable but overkill for your needs.

https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Disconnect-Current-Vehicle-Isolator/dp/B0C6FBLRDK/ref=sr_1_21?crid=FEXJOXBSE3B6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.uz5UVkzX1Kti0nCBuKBatdtEQrnKgeiytuBW0JbzP66VvE3qzArHA_Itt8I6oRn_aF4NAPOY9SyKojdj0nvFPw80Kk7vxcKvbuG7NtnszG79vdKhXDjrvdpprzwGTcJK_-WNcf4n9h-EdhSM-oi1t8lh0_Eo1yAr__yMsk2rEWBb_ztVaVrFe62JA2fzntsRSeKmwLMZhS62WQ9QXnKjc7jb44hfmeUC656Ei4_KMCs.wAS9C-91JUUD198kTu6rV2fvuzcJgCXD5LV2xbRkw-I&dib_tag=se&keywords=battery%2Bswitch%2Bdisconnect&qid=1736618570&sprefix=battery%2Bswitch%2Caps%2C106&sr=8-21&th=1

[Ben Cut-wright]

I have noticed that I placed new battery on the Vanguard engine 14 hp which was fitted on the Norwood saw mill MX34 after two week I see the voltage battery drop then I have to use solar cell 100 watt to charge it. My question what is the best solution to keep the battery all the time on the peak of voltage 13.8 volts. Do you think a good idea to remove the battery cable. Or if there is any method .
Thank you all

Guessing the battery you installed was "new"; properly charged, AND properly installed.  Why was it necessary to install a new battery? 

Was the "two weeks" span while using the sawmill or sitting not running?

What caused you to note the "battery voltage drop"?  Was it a failure of the starter to start the engine or did you just note a lower voltage than you expected?

"Peak voltage" depends on when it is tested.  13.8 volts is *charging voltage, not soc (state of charge) battery voltage.  A 100 watt solar charger might take one while to charge a dead battery sufficiently to start.  It is not good practice to maintain a flooded cell storage battery at much above 12.6 volts or thereabouts.

[Magicman]

The resting voltage on a new lead acid battery should be 12.7 volts whether disconnected or not.  If you don't have the 12.7 you either have a defective  battery, parasitic draw, or it was not fully charged when you left it.

If for some reason you want to keep it at 13.8, you will have to install a battery maintainer and even then I suspect that you may boil the battery out.

[Big_eddy]

Like others have said. 13.8 is a charging voltage. Don't expect the battery to hold at 13.8 over time. Anything 12,4v or higher is normal for a dormant battery.

[GRANITEstateMP]

A battery disconnect like was mentioned above should solve the problem and eliminate the parasitic draw when off. If you have a racing/speed shop nearby, that is something they're gonna keep in stock.

[doc henderson]

I keep a maintainer on the log splitter.  It has two batteries.  one on the splitter and one on the conveyor.  they are linked but can separate with a fleet coupler.  I should get on the sawmill.  If it is cold a battery can d/c or at least have less chemical energy.  If I was smart, I would remove batteries that are setting all winter and not being used.

I used to buy interstate batteries, but I do not have luck with them anymore.  I have heard there are only two manufacturers in the US and most all are made in the same place.  a Walmart battery will last longer than what used to be the best.

Harbor freight carries removable key battery shutoffs. but they do not last well in the weather.  I got a galvanized metal one intended for heavy equipment, and it has lasted for years now.





this red key was the original.  the silver upper one has lasted years.

[alsayyed]

thank you very much for your reply for solving this issue . 
i appreciate your efferts and i will let you know with the result