I got 12 forklift cells, I was told they were old stock, never filled. The company said they would bring the battery up to charge and test it to make sure it was in good working order. They also told me it would take a good few cycles after I got it to bring it up to good working capacity. When it arrived by courier the first thing I did was to check the electrolyte levels. I could see the top of the plates were not covered, in fact I could see no electrolyte until I tilted the cells to about 45°. I phoned the company, they said they usually transported the cells with low electrolyte levels and I should fill it with de-ionised water. Just to cover the plates it took
cell1 -350ml
cell2 -450
cell3 -400
cell4 -350
cell5 -300
cell6 -200
cell7 -200
cell8 -200
cell10 -200
cell12 -300
I then added a little more water so that I could take a specific gravity reading when charged. I connected the cells together (bolt conections) the voltage was 25.32, I put the battery on charge. When fully charged I let it stand for 8 hours before taking these readings
battery voltage 25.67
cell voltage specific gravity
2.154 12.50
2.115 12.30
2.125 12.10
2.130 12.30
2.145 12.50
2.155 12.50
2.153 12.60
2.144 12.60
2.147 12.60
2.150 12.55
2.150 12.55
2.138 12.50
I then connected the invertor to discharge the battery. After about 6 hours the invertor cut out, I turned the invertor back on and it cut out instantly. Then I took these readings
24.53 battery voltage
cell voltage specific gravity
2.106 12.50
1.300 12.20
2.073 12.20
2.083 12.25
2.099 12.40
2.106 12.40
2.106 12.46
2.100 12.45
2.100 12.45
2.107 12.50
2.103 12.45
2.095 12.40
Can you advise on the condition of these cells?