Battery charging

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Captain Stubing

Supporting Franco's overcharging warning, I left my Sierra plugged up to a battery charger too long...

image

It scared the crap out of me when I turned the ignition, and thought the IRA had come to visit.

See, I'm not just a pretty face (and internet troll)

[roddy1960]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

A lot depends on the state of the battery to begin with, if its a new battery which is idled regularly it will keep it useable, but 'surface' charging a battery which has already become flat may bring it up to allow it to start the car, but will eventually shorten the life of the battery.

That's pretty much exactly what I was told when I had battery issues in the AU about three years ago . I was also told that if the battery is really flat it's much better to whack it on a trickle charger for enough time to get it back to optimum charge before you use it.

On battery stuff , does anybody use the portable starter boxes much and if you do how do you keep them in top order . I've never bought one .

[roddy1960]

On a healthy battery from you guys that know way more than me .. I was told that a disconnected battery in okay nick should show about 12.4 to 12.6 volts and in car with accessories running eg. Air con , lights etc via alternator should be indicating a steady mid 14's volts .

Is that about right or is there more to it than that.

[X-AHH]

Originally Posted by roddy1960

That's pretty much exactly what I was told when I had battery issues in the AU about three years ago . I was also told that if the battery is really flat it's much better to whack it on a trickle charger for enough time to get it back to optimum charge before you use it.

On battery stuff , does anybody use the portable starter boxes much and if you do how do you keep them in top order . I've never bought one .

Mine came with a 240V plug pack charger. I give it a charge every month or two. It's important to note that due to the limitations of the current that they deliver, some of these are not intended for directly starting a vehicle on their own but instead, you connect them to your vehicle battery for 5 - 10 minutes to charge it up before attempting to crank the engine.

[GT450]

Originally Posted by Captain Stubing

Supporting Franco's overcharging warning, I left my Sierra plugged up to a battery charger too long...

image

It scared the crap out of me when I turned the ignition, and thought the IRA had come to visit.

Yes but what amperage was the charger , did it have a float function and was it fused, and no you shouldn't start them with the charger connected !

[Captain Stubing]

Originally Posted by GT450

Yes but what amperage was the charger , did it have a float function and was it fused, and no you shouldn't start them with the charger connected !

It was one of those cheap Arlec jobs. I’d forgotten I’d connected it - lesson learnt!

[John 13]

For what it's worth, from an informed source a car should be driven for at least 10 minutes just to make up for the battery energy used in starting the engine.

In the 60s when I worked with batteries, one sure way to blow up a battery was to leave it on a moderate to high charging rate without removing (at least loosening) the cell caps. Now with sealed batteries, gel electrolyte and less gassing is this still an issue ?.

[GT450]

Originally Posted by Captain Stubing

It was one of those cheap Arlec jobs. I’d forgotten I’d connected it - lesson learnt!

I would assume then it wasn't a trickle charger and any higher amp charger should definitely not be left on for too long. Yes lesson well learnt ...unfortunately.

[fiestaz]

Well joy of joys, been charging the car once a week since getting the charger, last few weekends have managed to get the car out with easing restrictions.

Last charged on Friday just past, went to start this morning, flat. 11.7v. Haven’t looked at it yet but my guess is the battery was probably on its way out a while ago and has now died all together. The charger may have helped it a bit in prolonging it’s life while the car sat for a month.

[X-AHH]

This time of year, the cold weather tends to sort out the good batteries from the bad ones. I've had my Ranger and trenching machine batteries die in the past week even though they both have maintenance solar trickle chargers.

[fiestaz]

Yep sure does. Had some cold weather here early last week.

Charged it for half an hour and it started again, doubt it will start tomorrow when I try. That will confirm it.

Clock and trip computer has all reset, usually a hint of dead batteries in fords when electrica gremlins happen.

[ford12]

I went to return my battery today to super crap. It's still under warranty.
Got asked if I had checked my spark plugs as this might be the reason for the battery being fkd

[fiestaz]

Originally Posted by ford12

I went to return my battery today to super crap. It's still under warranty.
Got asked if I had checked my spark plugs as this might be the reason for the battery being fkd

Uhh what? They were joking right?

[ford12]

Originally Posted by fiestaz

Uhh what? They were joking right?

Whish I was.
Little window on the battery says it needs a charge. No Matter how much you charge it, it still says it needs a charge. Also a little slower in cranking the engine over.
Apparently the spark plugs should be checked.

[73 4V XB]

Originally Posted by ford12

Whish I was.
Little window on the battery says it needs a charge. No Matter how much you charge it, it still says it needs a charge. Also a little slower in cranking the engine over.
Apparently the spark plugs should be checked.

And that’s what you get from supercreaps.
Don’t take no for an answer. It’s under warranty, exchange it or else I’ll talk to ACCC, not that they’ll do much but they have to honour their product full stop.

If the idiot that told you to check your spark plugs is there ask him for his trade papers stating he’s a mechanic and knows what he’s talking about.

[roKWiz]

I must remember to do this next time I lose a battery in the diesel

[Tassie f100]

Originally Posted by ford12

I went to return my battery today to super crap. It's still under warranty.
Got asked if I had checked my spark plugs as this might be the reason for the battery being fkd

And the relevence of faulty spark plugs and a faulty battery would be???

[Citroënbender]

Maybe they wanted to replace both under a “not fit for purpose” clause?

[X-AHH]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Maybe they wanted to replace both under a “not fit for purpose” clause?

The only thing not fit for purpose was the person behind the counter giving advice.