Why does my second battery dry out ?
Submitted: Thursday, Jul 27, 2006 at 19:31
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Member - BBB
My second battery in the GU keeps drying out in less than four weeks for the third time know all the cells have been dry.
There has been nothing changed on the car, the battery is almost three years old it still holds 13.2 volts it is a large Century truck and tractor battery.
Would the battery need replacing or could there be some thing else wrong in the system.
Thanks
BBB
Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Thursday, Jul 27, 2006 at 19:36
Thursday, Jul 27, 2006 at 19:36
Is it getting overcharged? (hard to believe though). What is the voltage at the terminals with the motor running?
AnswerID:
185669
Follow Up By: Member - BBB - Thursday, Jul 27, 2006 at 19:53
Thursday, Jul 27, 2006 at 19:53
Will test Monday
FollowupID:
442557
Reply By: Max - Sydney - Thursday, Jul 27, 2006 at 19:43
Thursday, Jul 27, 2006 at 19:43
Has it got a load on it - eg fridge or something that is discharging it & necessitating a full charge?
I've found there is nothing to beat a full charge to empty the cells.
Max
AnswerID:
185671
Follow Up By: Member - BBB - Thursday, Jul 27, 2006 at 19:52
Thursday, Jul 27, 2006 at 19:52
Only a mobile and a GPS but they have always been there.
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442555
Follow Up By: Max - Sydney - Thursday, Jul 27, 2006 at 19:57
Thursday, Jul 27, 2006 at 19:57
Reckon I'd be popping into a battery place and asking them to do a load test on it. Or at least do a hydrometer test yourself on each cell a day or so after topping up -though that is not as accurate.
Max
FollowupID:
442558
Reply By: RedGibber - Thursday, Jul 27, 2006 at 19:54
Thursday, Jul 27, 2006 at 19:54
Got a crack in the base, perhaps?? Is there ANY liquid left in the cells?
Cheers
Red
AnswerID:
185676
Follow Up By: Member - BBB - Thursday, Jul 27, 2006 at 20:03
Thursday, Jul 27, 2006 at 20:03
No there is not a crack or a external leak
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442562
Reply By: Kiwi Kia - Thursday, Jul 27, 2006 at 19:55
Thursday, Jul 27, 2006 at 19:55
Any diodes or 'black boxes' conected to your system to protect your starting battery?
AnswerID:
185677
Reply By: DMH122 - Thursday, Jul 27, 2006 at 20:32
Thursday, Jul 27, 2006 at 20:32
My bets on a faulty battery.
AnswerID:
185693
Reply By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Thursday, Jul 27, 2006 at 21:23
Thursday, Jul 27, 2006 at 21:23
Check your voltages and charge rate.
If the battery is pulling amps when fully charged then its time to replace it.
You may think of upgrading your isolator to a dual monitoring system like the Redarc SBI12D which swithes off when the auxillary battery is full.
Regards Derek.
AnswerID:
185708
Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Friday, Jul 28, 2006 at 00:11
Friday, Jul 28, 2006 at 00:11
Are all six cells using an equal amount of
water ?
Mike
AnswerID:
185736
Follow Up By: Member - BBB - Friday, Jul 28, 2006 at 08:05
Friday, Jul 28, 2006 at 08:05
Yes
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Follow Up By: Leroy - Friday, Jul 28, 2006 at 08:51
Friday, Jul 28, 2006 at 08:51
It's got to be a small crack somewhere. But then the paint in the engine bay wouldn't be looking to good.
Leroy
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Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Friday, Jul 28, 2006 at 09:00
Friday, Jul 28, 2006 at 09:00
I don't see how a crack would drain all six cells equally ?
Mike
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Follow Up By: Leroy - Friday, Jul 28, 2006 at 09:25
Friday, Jul 28, 2006 at 09:25
a long crack lol.....yes I thought about it after I posted.
Leroy
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Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Friday, Jul 28, 2006 at 02:14
Friday, Jul 28, 2006 at 02:14
Is it getting too hot perhaps from radiated heat from the engine or exhaust system?
AnswerID:
185742
Reply By: Keith_A (Qld) - Friday, Jul 28, 2006 at 08:46
Friday, Jul 28, 2006 at 08:46
Hi 3B - I have a 1999 GU with 2nd battery.
My battery is mounted on the LHS wheel guard, just above and to the left of the Turbo (with the exhaust manifold and pipe also not far away - naturally).
I would think there can only be 3 reasons : crack in case; boiling from over charging; or evaporation from exhaust/turbo heat.
I haven't had your problem, but perhaps your battery case allows more heat through, which evapotates the
water? If the case is thin, then this would do it.
Perhaps try some foam insulation around the sides of the battery (Clark rubber or similar). You can buy it in different densities (even fire retardant) - simple and cheap.
My first battery in is a separate plastic case, with a vent tube into the guard to keep it cool..... and this is the battery furtherst away from the exhaust! I have no doubt my 2nd is getting cooked.
regards...............................Keith.
AnswerID:
185762
Follow Up By: Member - BBB - Tuesday, Aug 01, 2006 at 05:59
Tuesday, Aug 01, 2006 at 05:59
Thanks Keith
I will try that to protect the batery but you would think that it would have been drying out from day one.
thanks
BBB
FollowupID:
443488
Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Tuesday, Aug 01, 2006 at 07:40
Tuesday, Aug 01, 2006 at 07:40
It's dangerous to put insulation directly on the battery - they need to be able to get rid of heat when charging.
The best way to keep it cooler is to put a shield around it, but with air space. Then find a way to duct cool air which has been collected from in front of the radiator into that space.
The reason that you'e noticing the
water loss now, is because the battery has aged.
Have you checked the voltage across the battery while the engine is revving and after everything has warmed up ?
FollowupID:
443490