hi derek- good answer. after the charge i would add a specific gravity bulb test to check the condition of the electrolyte in each cell. cheap tool available at auto parts stores. if one or more cells show uneven specific gravity after a charge, then a cell is sulfated and shorted which is what retires most batteries. that cell wont hold a charge. have also found that a good way to preserve batteries in cars sitting for a long while is to leave them hooked up to a float charger which trickles a small amount of charging voltage into the battery and shuts on and off based on the charge level of the batt. some are called battery maintainers . battery tender makes different models. i have a cheap one ($5) from harbor freight which has worked fine for years. thanks tons oldduke