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Post by stonedaddy on Dec 4, 2014 23:42:34 GMT
I have come across a problem with a battery that I have never come across before but perhaps others have. My little tow car sits on my garden path slowly deteriorating. I sometimes give it a run round the block once a month, but sometimes it don't move at all for months. Well last week it would not start or even turn over. I checked the battery and it was just over 12v showing. I put the charger on it and got it up to 13.2v but it still wouldn't turn the engine over. I jump started it off the camper van and it was off no trouble. I left the battery on 12.7 volts and left it for a week disconnected. I then tested it again and it was still 12.7v and still would not start the car. It would not even try to turn it over. I had a word with a mate of mine in the pub on Sunday (he is an auto electrician). He said he has come across this before and they can keep the voltage but they loose there cranking power. They just can't find the power to back the voltage up. It is only a tiny little battery and I sent off for a new one. I have now fitted it and blimey it spun the engine like a new one. All I wanted to point out is just coz a battery keeps its voltage does not mean it is any good. But before anyone throws there batteries out they usually are good. This is just an exception. .... Tom ....
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Post by thislongron on Dec 4, 2014 23:46:10 GMT
Good post Tom
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Post by Firefox on Dec 5, 2014 1:13:28 GMT
This is all true. It's what a rapid discharge test on a battery measures; the ability to hold a decent amount of charge and supply it quickly. Many ailing batteries will hold voltage and some low charge. They are OK for powering LED's and other low current devices for a few hours. It's probably why so many of us get by with aged leisure batteries several years old and well past their effective usage date!
But when it comes to things like cranking, or inverters which take a high current they can't supply charge at that rate, and the voltage will drop such that the inverter alarms or the cranking fails.
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Post by billieblue on Dec 5, 2014 6:25:59 GMT
Just when I thought I knew about batteries! Cheers Tom and Vernon!
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Post by stonedaddy on Dec 5, 2014 12:12:40 GMT
Just when I thought I knew about batteries! Cheers Tom and Vernon! How are you getting on with yours Bluey. Did you find a way into your leisure battery. Have you put your spare batteries on charge yet with your new battery charger. I bet you have just got them home and dumped them in a corner. Tell me i'm wrong. .... Tom ....
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Post by billieblue on Dec 5, 2014 14:14:07 GMT
You're not wrong Tom, let's face it you never are! Joke....got someone to have a look. He tested zig unit, fuses and relays. Was planning to get seat out to get to the battery but hey presto, everything working and battery not flat. Don't know if it will happen agin though. Hopefully not tomorrow night when I go to meet the Full Moon Club gang in Cumbria!
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Post by francophile1947 on Dec 5, 2014 16:01:23 GMT
This is all true. It's what a rapid discharge test on a battery measures; the ability to hold a decent amount of charge and supply it quickly. Many ailing batteries will hold voltage and some low charge. They are OK for powering LED's and other low current devices for a few hours. It's probably why so many of us get by with aged leisure batteries several years old and well past their effective usage date! But when it comes to things like cranking, or inverters which take a high current they can't supply charge at that rate, and the voltage will drop such that the inverter alarms or the cranking fails. Had this with my old leisure battery, despite reading that it was fully charged. My compressor fridge would only work for just over a day before there wasn't enough kick in the battery to fire the compressor into life - new battery cured the problem
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Post by Firefox on Dec 5, 2014 16:20:45 GMT
Good point about compressors. Quite often, motors, microwaves and some other devices take a much bigger current/wattage to start up than when running steady. Could be 1.5- 2 times as much.
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Post by stonedaddy on Dec 5, 2014 22:47:22 GMT
You're not wrong Tom, let's face it you never are! Joke....got someone to have a look. He tested zig unit, fuses and relays. Was planning to get seat out to get to the battery but hey presto, everything working and battery not flat. Don't know if it will happen agin though. Hopefully not tomorrow night when I go to meet the Full Moon Club gang in Cumbria! That sounds very much like a loose mains connection. Did he get his hands under the seat and move any cables, it may be a faulty main earth connection or even the main connection on the zig unit. I have a horrid feeling it will do it again so lets hope its summer if it does do it. When you said you switched a light on and it lit briefly then went off that also sounds like a loose connection, probably the same one. .... Tom....
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Post by billieblue on Dec 6, 2014 9:52:58 GMT
Let's hope it lasts til the next fix it meet! ?
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Post by Neva Aglenn on Dec 9, 2014 20:55:24 GMT
Yep, Re. Low Current but Voltage Holding:- Both My Leisure Batts. Are 'Re-Cycled' Crank Batteries That Would n't 'Crank' Starter Motor Any More! OK For Lights/Gadget Charging etc. They Don't Like the Pump for the Tap Much & Compressor Fridge'd Be Pushing 'em!!
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