PbA battery question/investigation

[Jim Coate <jim@coate.org>]

I have one of my lead acid batteries that seems to be dying already (or 
murdered?). This is in a 120V pack of cheap Sam's Club golf cart 
batteries, so I'm not completely surprised... but I'd like to understand 
what I'm seeing.

The pack (6 months old) recently has started have less range and when 
nearing the end would go very rapidly.  By being nice to it and having a 
light foot, it still goes.  The most obviously different measurement I 
can find is during the charge cycle (Lester) near the end the pack is at 
150V, with most batteries at 7.4 to 7.6V and a couple dragging nearing to 
7.1V, but the suspect battery at 6.6V.  I've added a tap so I can easily 
keep tabs on this battery and give it an extra boost with a seperate 6V 
charger. After a rest, all batteries settle to nearly the same voltage, 
so the suspect no longer stands out.

So, what does this indicate about the battery? Is it possible to heal?  I 
had thought I had seen the infamous cell reversal, but the voltage at 
rest seems to high for that.

Thanks as always.

PS These voltages from an old analog meter of unknown accuracy... my 
"good" digital meter either gives no reading or shows consistantly higher 
voltages... But either way one battery is much lower relative to the 
others.
_________
Jim Coate
1992 Chevy S-10