Another battery question!
Submitted: Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 15:54
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Vic Heals
I purchased a second hand 135 amp/h battery from ebay. All good on the way up to
Cape York, seemed to charge without issue and sit at around 12.8 volts. On the way back however it stopped charging altogether. I had 14 volts coming through the Anderson plug on the car but it was not charging the battery. Back at
home I have placed it on a charger but within 2-3 hours of removing the charger it sits at a very sad 9 volts. My question- is it dead and am I left with a very heavy paperweight?
Reply By: Evakool - Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 16:05
Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 16:05
Just to get a bit more information;
What type and brand of battery?
Do you know the age of the battery?
What type of battery charger?
After you unplug the charger how quickly did you
check and see 9 volts?
Did you put a load on the battery after you un-plugged the battery charger?
AnswerID:
462979
Follow Up By: Vic Heals - Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 16:48
Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 16:48
Eaton powerware VRLA battery
No idea of the age
Basic Arlec style battery charger
After I unplug the charger it reads 12 .7 volts, then gradually over a space of about 3 - 4 hours it drops down to 9 volts. Its been off charge for 36 hours now and is down to 8.8 volts.
I have not put anything on the battery as I fear I know the answer to my question already.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Puma1 - Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 19:12
Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 19:12
The fear of the moment of truth!
The moths are getting edgy in anticipation of the wallet unfolding:-)
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Follow Up By: TerraFirma - Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 21:12
Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 21:12
My detective work tells me that most of the Eaton Powerware Batteries are used in UPS (Uninterruptible_power_supply) applications in maintaining emergency power to computer, hospital or critical equipment, these are often sold off via Ebay and other channels, I would suspect your battery was already nearing end of life and your trip finished her off. Lesson learnt, nothing is a bargain unless it carrys out it's objective over a minimal period. Buy a Fullriver DC AGM Battery and Ctek or other good quality charger and enjoy years of hassle free operation. (Hindsight LOL..!)
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Follow Up By: Vic Heals - Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 21:40
Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 21:40
Thanks for that. I guessed as much. It was a bargain and did make it all the way to the tip and half way back so I can't complain. Lesson learnt!
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Reply By: TerraFirma - Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 16:06
Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 16:06
What was the brand and type of battery? AGM, Lead Acid etc. Sounds like it has died, if you had a smart charger like a Ctek you could try doing a recondition etc..? What type of charger do you have?
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Follow Up By: Vic Heals - Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 16:55
Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 16:55
I did wonder if a Ctek would be able to fix it but was closer to cutting my losses and thinking about the old saying "When something seems to be to good it probably is....."
At my age I should also remember "a fool and his money....."
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Follow Up By: Puma1 - Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 22:30
Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 22:30
Another usefull one
Once bitten twice shy!
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Reply By: Puma1 - Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 16:27
Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 16:27
Buy a dingy you've already got an anchor!
I'm guessing but it sounds like a collapsed cell, probably all that bouncing around going up to the pointy bit!
Look on the
bright side - at least you were happy with the bargain during the trip.
Doh!
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Follow Up By: Vic Heals - Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 16:50
Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 16:50
ha ha - I think it would be too heavy to even use as an anchor.
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Reply By: Tonyfish#58 - Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 16:55
Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 16:55
Lot of work but might be good for sinkers then :-)
Cheers Tony
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Reply By: Member - Scott A (NSW) - Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 19:27
Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 19:27
Out of curiosity, how much did the ebay bargain cost you?
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Reply By: Dennis Ellery - Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 20:53
Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 20:53
Why would anybody buy a second-hand battery?
There is no way of knowing its previous history, maintenance, remaining life or capacity.
Cut your losses - chuck it in the bin.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Vic Heals - Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 21:41
Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 21:41
Thanks everyone for your input. For the price I paid and the use I got out of it it wasn't too bad.
Anyone need a doorstop?
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Reply By: River Swaggie - Sunday, Aug 21, 2011 at 06:03
Sunday, Aug 21, 2011 at 06:03
When it comes to Batteries thats one area i wouldnt buy secondhand fullstop.
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