Quote:
Originally Posted by Hagar
In general a small increase in voltage is perfectly safe for most common items. Generally the only thing that changes with a small increase in voltage is a similar small decrease in the current required to achieve the same desired result.
Even elctronic dvices which require a stable voltage generally have a voltage regulator built in to stabilise the voltage and protect from voltage spikes which happen every time a switch is switched.
This being the case electronics will be the most sensitive and more care should be taken but an increase from 12V to 13.8 shouldn't be of any concern. A fully charged 12V battery measures somewhat higher than 12 volts and as it is discharged it falls below the 12 V mark.
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Fully charged 12v battery usually reads 12.7v -12.8v...
Some deep cycle batteries can hover around the 13.0v mark when fully charged but most sit around 12.7v full charge. Yep they are nearing complete discharge at around 12v, but true real full discharge is something around 11.5v (but if you get to that, you will likely damage your battery cells if it remains at that level for any period of time.
Keeping batteries in the upper levels of charge states extends their working life. Ideally a float charger is what you want and left on the battery continuously when not in use.
As for the 13.8v on a "12v" device... as others said... may be ok, but first check with the manufacturer as some devices are more sensitive than others.