Battery advice

Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 19:24

ThreadID: 37010 Views:2426 Replies:12 FollowUps:8

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Exploder

I brought the below battery on Saturday

Century, Heavy duty
750CCA
110AH

I think it had been sitting for a wile, as when I got it home the water level was low so I toped it up and put it on charge.

After 20hrs of charging the thing was only just beginning to hold full charge

Ok the car normally starts 1st tick but if it’s been a cold night it will sometimes turn over 3-4 times then fire up.
So..

I put the new battery in the car on Sunday before going into the Hills for some 4Wding. After 30 minutes of driving I stoped for some fuel when I got back in and tried to start the car it took 3 goes to start.

1st time the starter did about 1 tick and jammed
2nd time the engine just turned over real slow
3rd time it only just turned over but fired up

I turned it off once wile out 4Wding and it started Ok but the starter seemed a bit sluggish.

When I got home the car sat for around 1 hour jump in started no probes, went and got some bread got back in and tried to start it, agene it took 3 goes and it was only just turning over.

Got home, shut it down and started it back up, it started straight away.
Turned the light’s on and the fan on full and tried to start it agine, no go the starter couldn’t even turn over the engine.

I let it sit for a wile and came back out and it fired up no worry’s

And it seems all right now as well

I thought I had a dud battery but it seems to have pulled its act together now, as I haven’t had any more problems.

Any ideas on why the battery was plying up like it did? I am unsure whether the battery is now Ok or not, I don’t really what the thing dropping a cell in the middle of the bush.

Cheers.

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Reply By: Waynepd (NSW) - Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 19:43

Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 19:43

No Question as far as I am concerned...
I would be taking it back and explaining, exactly as you just did here, why you aren't happy with it and ask for another one on warranty.
You need to be confident that it is ok...a battery 3 days off the shelf shouldn't be that low on charge should it...its not as if you have just grabbed a cheapie, bunged it in and hoped for the best....you have bought a quality product that is not performing as expected and it could place you in a dangerous predicament......

AnswerID: 190360

Reply By: TerraFirma - Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 19:44

Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 19:44

Did you buy a new battery..?? Did you buy a battery to replace one that was dead.? Is the starter motor ok..? Century 110AH in a wet cell battery? and the water level was low..? It doesn't sound right , a little too many inconsistancies to give you a more accurate answer.

Without jumping the gun and guessing on your processes in replacing the battery you might be well advised just to get an Auto Elec to give things a quick test if you have any further problems, or perhaps the battery was low on it's charge, but the variances in the vehicles starting habits you list could be accredited to a few things, terminals, leads, starter issues etc and the battery state, hence my comments re the Auto Elec if any problems continue.

Keep us posted.

AnswerID: 190361

Follow Up By: Exploder - Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 20:47

Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 20:47

It’s a new battery to replace the Old one that was leaking.

It had been sitting on the shelf for a wile at the shop.

The water level was low; in some cells the plates were only just covered, I filled it up to the appropriate level and charged it up.

And sorry it’s 750CCA, 110 Reserve Current, I take it this is different to amp hours?

It never had any problems before the old battery was replaced and the old one was just about buggered too.

It seams to be going good now but.

FollowupID: 448019

Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 22:54

Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 22:54

The Reserve capacity of a Battery indicates how many MINUTES it can be discharged at 25 amps before the voltage drops to 10.5 volts.

FollowupID: 448061

Reply By: Alloy c/t - Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 19:55

Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 19:55

Way back when I first ever got to drive a forklift as part of the Green machine ,forklifts of all sizes and propulsion modes , the policy for recharging a battery was to ensure that the battery plates were covered ,BUT NOT to add water until after the recharge cycle had finished ,, can of worms opened ?? waiting .

AnswerID: 190362

Follow Up By: Member - Stephen M (NSW) - Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 20:30

Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 20:30

Hi there Aloy , yep thats exactly what we have ben told as well cause if you fill up then charge up they bubble ever where and spit out battery acid ever where, yep always top up after a charge UNLESS the levels are below the plates to start with then yes fill so just over the plates then refill once the charge cycle has finished which in our case is normally overnight. Regards Steve M

FollowupID: 448012

Reply By: Footloose - Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 20:00

Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 20:00

I'd take it back. When I buy a new battery I don't expect to have to charge it before use, neither should you.

AnswerID: 190364

Reply By: nowimnumberone - Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 20:12

Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 20:12

id get the starter checked.
had a patrol that would work 9 out of 10 perfect and every now and then seemed like a flat battery.
turn it of and on a cpl of times and good as gold till next time.
cheers.

AnswerID: 190369

Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 20:26

Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 20:26

From your description, it doesn't necessarily indicate a faulty battery.
Sounds more like a poor cable contact to me. Check for clean terminals and a positive contact of clamps.

The battery can be checked easily enough with a load tester. Every battery reseller will have one.

The length of time taken to charge a battery will also depend on the capacity of the charger. (4 amp, 8 amp, 15 amp, 20 amp, etc.)

Bill

I'm diagonally parked in a parallel Universe!

Member
My Profile My Blog My Position Send Message

AnswerID: 190374

Follow Up By: Sarg - Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 20:32

Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 20:32

Yep. I'm with you on this one. Sounds more like a connection problem.

FollowupID: 448014

Reply By: Exploder - Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 20:37

Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 20:37

Thanks guys

The battery had been sitting for a wile and I was told so, as it is a Explorer specific one, as the Batteries for the explorers need to be a specific shape at the bottom as they are clamped in by the battery tray so it has like a V shape cut into the battery case that the tray locks into.

So as you can image they wouldn’t sell to many of em and only and 2 in stock (Coventry’s)

The battery wasn’t dry the water level was just very low side so I toped it up and put it on charge perhaps this is what I did wrong as it look’s to have come good now.

If I tested it with a hydrometer would this give me a good indication of its condition?

AnswerID: 190376

Follow Up By: Sand Man (SA) - Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 20:53

Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 20:53

A hydrometer will show you if one or more individual cells are below par but that shouldn't happen with a new battery.

Bill

I'm diagonally parked in a parallel Universe!

Member
My Profile My Blog My Position Send Message

FollowupID: 448021

Reply By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 20:39

Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 20:39

Sounds like a dud.

What did to top up with and what is your alternator out put ?

I would take it back and take your car with for a test at the shop.

Regards Derek.

AnswerID: 190377

Follow Up By: Exploder - Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 21:06

Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 21:06

Thanks mate it was brought a Coventry’s (Mining, industrial and automotive supplier) so they can’t test it but will change it if it a dud.

What is the best way to test the condition of the battery?

Toped up with distilled water befor i charged it
Alternator, I can’t remember but it think it’s a 130 amp

The Volt gauge in the car reads normal when the engine is running, and shows acceptable charge before the car is started.

FollowupID: 448027

Follow Up By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Wednesday, Aug 23, 2006 at 07:13

Wednesday, Aug 23, 2006 at 07:13

Best to test it with a hydometer and a load tester. Most auto electricians will have themand any good mechanic will also have them.

If you are a member of an auto club get them to test it for you.

Regards Derek.

FollowupID: 448087

Reply By: TJC - Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 21:01

Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 21:01

The battery is a DUD. Take it back....... It's a lead acid battery and clearly is not performing to it's design. Whether it has been sitting fully dicharched, or half charged too long or is just faulty, it is not what I would rely on. The manufacturer of the battery would have a garantee, whether it is 6 months for a second or 24 months for new.

Demand a new batttery for piece of mind. Do not settle for this battery as it WILL fail in the near future.
Happy results.....

AnswerID: 190382

Reply By: oldmagpie2 - Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 21:06

Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 21:06

just an idea p-i-s-s off the old connections on the leads instal new ones make sure everything is clean & well tightened & lightly greased & see what happens?s-h-i-t , guess what its the solenoid on the starter i think. cheers

AnswerID: 190386

Reply By: Brian (SA) - Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 21:37

Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 21:37

I could well be wrong; but as I recall batteries were built and shipped dry if they were not to be used immediatlly and acid was only added when they were actually going to be put in service.

If it has been sitting on the shelf with acid in it and not being maintaained with a float charger it could have aready started to sulfate and reduced its potential life.

AnswerID: 190393

Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 22:57

Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 22:57

Batteries have a manufacture date code on them - contact the manuafacturer/importer and ask them when yours was made.

FollowupID: 448063

Reply By: Rick P - Thursday, Aug 24, 2006 at 00:45

Thursday, Aug 24, 2006 at 00:45

It is a battery problem, most likely it's been sitting on the shelf too long without topping up the charge, batteries need charge about once a month on average, while shop keepers would maintain shelf life to be up to 6 months per charge, I never buy 'old batteries'. I've never had a problem.

Motorcycle batteries are sold dry, for that very reason.

Hope this helps,
Rick

AnswerID: 190657