How can I measure my battery's “State of Charge”?

If the battery's temperature, or electrolyte in flooded types, is above 110° F (43.3° C), allow it to cool. To determine the battery's state of charge with the battery's temperature at 80° F (26.7° C), use the following tables. Table 1 assumes that a 12.65 voltage reading or a 1.265 specific gravity reading represents a fully charged battery. For other battery or electrolyte temperatures, use the Temperature Compensation tables below to adjust the Open Circuit Voltage for VRLA DRY CELL batteries or Specific Gravity readings for flooded types.

Table 6 - Electrolyte Freezing Point

Digital Voltmeter State of Charge Hydrometer Reading Electrolyte
Open Circuit Volts Approximate Specific Gravity Freezing Point
12.65 100% 1.265 -75°F (-59.4°C)
12.45 75% 1.225 -55°F (-48.3°C)
12.24 50% 1.190 -34°F (-36.7°C)
12.06 25% 1.155 -16°F (-26.7°C)
11.89 Discharged 1.120 -10°F (-23.3°C)

 

Table 7 - Hydrometer Temperature Compensation

Temperature Add or Subtract to Hydrometer Reading Add or Subtract to Voltmeter Reading
0° / -17.8° -.032 -.192
10° / -12.2° -.028 -.168
20° / -6.7° -.024 -.144
30° / -1.1° -.020 -.120
40° / 4.4° -.016 -.096
50° / 10° -.012 -.072
60° / 15.6° -.008 -.048
70° / 21.1° -.004 -.024
80° / 26.7° 0 0
90° / 32.2° +.004 +.024
100° / 37.8° +.008 +.048
110° / 43.3° +.012 +.072
120° / 48.9° +.016 +.096
130° / 54.4° +.020 +.120
140° / 60.0° +.024 +.144
150° / 65.6° +.028 +.168
160° / 71.1° +.032 +.192

 

Table 8 - Voltmeter Temperature Compensation

Temperature Add or Subtract to Hydrometers Reading Add or Subtract to Voltmeter Reading
0° / -17.8° -.032 -.192
10° / -12.2° -.028 -.168
20° / -6.7° -.024 -.144
30° / -1.1° -.020 -.120
40° / 4.4° -.016 -.096
50° / 10° -.012 -.072
60° / 15.6° -.008 -.048
70° / 21.1° -.004 -.024
80° / 26.7° 0 0
90° / 32.2° +.004 +.024
100° / 37.8° +.008 +.048
110° / 43.3° +.012 +.072
120° / 48.9° +.016 +.096
130° / 54.4° +.020 +.120