Dead battery - beyond ressurection?

chickey

Havent used my car for about six months (broken leg) and didnt disconnect battery, have jump started a few times inc yesterday when drove for an hour - an hour later it wouldnt start - is my battery completely beyond help? will probably buy a new one - is there any benefit to holding on to the old one?

advice appreciated :eek:

Seth Brundle

You possibly need to recharge it and it may work fine - how old is it?
New ones are dear enough! You also need to dispose of the old one appropriatley as it is highly toxic.

chickey

Car is 12 years old, have it 3 years - havent changed battery so could be anything from 3 - 12 years dont really know! the battery is transluscent type you fill with water from c.8 openings at top - think this is the old style of battery?

smokey2

chickey wrote:

Car is 12 years old, have it 3 years - havent changed battery so could be anything from 3 - 12 years dont really know! the battery is transluscent type you fill with water from c.8 openings at top - think this is the old style of battery?

it's a pretty standard type of battery!!
age isn't a concern as a well maintained battery should outlive the car it lives in!!
have you ever checked the fluid level in it??
if it's low a tip is to top up with vinegar only if dead!!
in normal condition ie: charged use water!!
a combination of low level/ not ran for a long period can mean a premanently deceased battery!!
new ones aint that dear but stay away from main dealers cos it's usually cheaper to get a new car!!

alias no.9

I had to replace my battery a few weeks ago, it cost e70 from the motor factors in maynooth and thats for a fully sealed (ie no checking water levels), heavy duty battery for a diesel. Oh yeah, ring around a few places first 'cos the prices varied from 70 to 120 and that was just motor factors, heaven knows what a main stealer would have charged.

chickey

Went to advance pitstop in wexford yesterday, they tested battery and said it was finished sold me a new one for €55.

good to be back on the road again.

PBC_1966

A standard lead-acid will loose its ability to hold charge if left discharged for an extended period of time duem to sulfation of the plates.

If a battery needs to be left out of service for an extended period, there are two options to prevent this deterioration:

1. Give it a trickle charge from time to time.

2. Start with the battery fully charged, then drain out the electrolyte, flush the battery out with distilled water, then leave it filled full of pure distilled water.

The latter option is the way that lead-acid cells are taken out of service in many professional circles (e.g. telephone exchanges). Obviously it's a laborious process and you then have to refill the battery with the correct strength electrolyte when you want to use it again, not to mention having to store or dispose of the old solution.

Glad you're sorted out, anyway!