How to tell if a battery needs replacing?

cormie

Hi,
So given the weather being terrible for batteries this time of year and most of them probably just reacting badly, but will be fine once the thaw comes along, how can you tell whether a battery actually DOES need replacing or whether it's just the weather? I've had the jump leads out quite a bit lately, some mornings after a few hours driving the day before it would need a boost. Then if the hazards are on and the back door open of the van (with the lights off, but the little lamps in the cargo area on), it might die again. Sounds like it needs replacement to me, but hopefully not.

Is leaving the engine on for an hour or so enough to give a full charge and how long should that last for to start the vehicle by itself?

Any feedback appreciated

peasant

Let me put it this way ...a good battery isn't phased by zero or minus five degrees.

Or even simpler ... just get over your penny-pinching for once and get a new one

biko

This kinda weather just tells you that your battery is in it's "golden years" and it's time to retire.

Tipsy Mac

Any idea how old the battery is? Should replace them every 3 or 4 years so maybe it's due.

biko

There may be a warranty with the battery if you can remember where and when you got it? Have the receipt?

Most people I know just drive around with the same battery for years and years and then get very surprised when a bit of frost kills it.

peasant

Batterys age not only in years, but also in charging patterns. In cars that get driven over reasonable distances all the time a battery can easily last ten years. A battery that does stop starts all day and has additional drain (like extra lights etc) can be dead much quicker.

westwicklow

Last battery I bought was from Halfords and came with a four year guarantee. I'd like to see the terms and conditions on that one

cormie

Think the penny pinching is in the blood at this stage, I've been living my own little recession my whole life, this latest one is nothing new :pac:

It's the battery I got with the van in 2007, it's a 02 transit so not sure if it has ever been changed, I've done about 60K on it anyway which has been a mix of stop start and long distance but would be in use a lot when the engine isn't on whether that would be hazards or the cargo bay light, GPS and other things still plugged in ETC. Also, when the engine is on, headlights and stereo are ALWAYS on!

JHMEG

Without getting technical, a battery needs to be replaced if it keeps fúcking up on you.

westwicklow

Cormie, take the van to your local mechanic. Explain the problem. A simple 5 minute test with load-tester/hydrometer will tell the story on your battery.

Gary ITR

I'm doing stop start driving in a van too, my battery hasn't let me down yet. Sounds like yours needs replacing, time to dust off that wallet of yours Cormie

cantdecide

I would have been with you guys until a while back. Mum had a Stilo and we knew the battery was becoming weaker over a period of months. I told her that when they generally start giving trouble, there’s nothing you can do but replace it, really. An electrician friend disagreed and put the battery on a trickle charge overnight on a charger he has. Six months later when the car was traded in, the battery was still like new.

OP, if I were you, I'd charge it and if it dies again, fire it out.

westwicklow

Try getting it charged with a "conditioner charger". I've had great results with mine.

Ardent

I replaced my battery yesterday, wasn't worth the hassle.

I bought the car in March and hadn't had any problems with the battery until the last couple of weeks. It was obviously a shít/dying battery and it took a spell of very cold weather for me to realise it.

Couldn't start the car a couple of times over xmas -last straw was yesterday when I had the hazards on for a few minutes and couldn't start the car afterwards. 75 squid for a new one in FastFit.

westwicklow

Ardent wrote: »

I replaced my battery yesterday, wasn't worth the hassle.

I bought the car in March and hadn't had any problems with the battery until the last couple of weeks. It was obviously a shít/dying battery and it took a spell of very cold weather for me to realise it.

Couldn't start the car a couple of times over xmas -last straw was yesterday when I had the hazards on for a few minutes and couldn't start the car afterwards. 75 squid for a new one in FastFit.

Let's hope it wasn't the alternator so!!!:D

cormie

So what's this conditional charger thingy? Would leaving the vehicles running idle with no lights, stereo etc on have the same effect if you left it for an hour or two, or ten??

Armadillo

Some Alternators won't charge unless the engine is running over 3,000 rpm or so.
So you might have to put a brick on the accelerometer....:D

cormie

Ok ok, I know I should probably just get a new one, but I'm interested to hear what this conditional charger or load tester/hyrdrometer is. Could it bring the battery back to good health?

westwicklow

I use a conditioner charger on older batteries. It totally revives them somehow by discharging and recharging in stages.... it's very effective!

cormie

Interesting Have you a link to a product name or model at all of the one you use? Are they pricey?

unkel

JHMEG wrote: »

Without getting technical, a battery needs to be replaced if it keeps fúcking up on you.

The voice of experience. No point telling yourself you really shouldn't have made that 1 minute drive to the shops in the cold and then switch the engine off. And then it didn't start again on the way back as the battery would not have been charged properly. Moral of the story - don't blame the short trip or the cold, the battery is dying, replace it.

Curran

cormie wrote: »

Interesting Have you a link to a product name or model at all of the one you use? Are they pricey?

Just buy a new battery!!
You'd but a charger but not the battery????

Anyways...
55 quid (VW Golf petrol) in the local motor factors - 10 mins to change it max - even if you havent any DIY skill - ya just need a set of spanners!!

I did my bro's car this evening in fading light, so its not that hard!
Loosen two nuts to remove wires from terminals, and another nut to remove clamp holding battery in place!
Lift out battery and replace with new one!
Refit the clamp - reconnect wires to terminals (make sure they correct ones - slight different sizes anyways)

Dont worry about getting shocked - its not an issue as long you dont "short" or touch the two terminals at once!! There will be a tiny spark as you connect the 2nd wire, just as it touches the terminal but wont shock you - and dont be afraid if it scares you first time out!!
Simple - no more jump starts!!

westwicklow

Nope.... it may not be the battery. A loose fanbelt may cause the alternator not to work, the alternator may not be working properly, the battery cells may be dry, loose connection.....

fuelinjection

I have gone throught so many fecking car and motorbike batteries but will sum everything I have learnt up .....


1/ If you think it is dead, buy a new battery ... cos it is giving warning signs

2./ Batteries HATE cold weather and will commit suicide in December

3./ There is no real "test" for crappy battery and I have a Voltmeter/Altmeter and two expensive battery tender/chargers. They always show 12.7 volts and charge the battery up but then die when you are at the side of the road.

4./ maybe an exaggeration but 90% of all AA callouts are battery related ... they only last 3 years on average , cost 100 euro and will save you a breakdown if you change them before they let you down.


Now how many drivers will replace this their battery tomorrow as they read this ... none, its human nature. But stop crying in work when your ****ty battery has done its job and stops working.

artielange

I have checked the levels in the battery good there. Used a Hydrmeter(not sure how it works) cost 4.50 said the battery needed help. Put on a trickle charger. Working fine. If you do replace your battery there are some things to consider, radio code and .....I am sure there more. If I had the money I would have gotten a new one because I am sure its on the way out,I just hope she's driving it when it does.:D


http://www.remybattery.com/Products/Small-Battery-Hydrometer---00258__00258.aspx


http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_532907_langId_-1_categoryId_212463

cormie

Don't worry folks, a new battery will be bought if needed Can't do it yet so just getting info in the interim. I wish it only cost €55 for the one I need and it's to go under the driver seat so it can't have certain gas caps showing I've heard. I've an aftermarket stereo too so this shouldn't be a problem I'm also with the AA but have only ever called once for a flat battery and that was when I visited someone elses house and was meant to drive their car which had been sitting idle for about 4 months! I've jump leads in each van so should hopefully never need to call them for a flat battery myself

I wonder is it a BAD time to buy one now, would it get damaged immediately in the conditions we have, would it be better to wait a few weeks?

cormie

http://www.lidl.ie/ie/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20100114.p.Car_Battery_Charger :P

the_syco

samih wrote: »

A quality clip from David about batteries. He has loads of other great motors FAQ clips as well if you have time:

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FYP:

/edit
Seems he deleted his post :rolleyes:

D_murph

cormie wrote: »

Don't worry folks, a new battery will be bought if needed Can't do it yet so just getting info in the interim. I wish it only cost €55 for the one I need and it's to go under the driver seat so it can't have certain gas caps showing I've heard. I've an aftermarket stereo too so this shouldn't be a problem I'm also with the AA but have only ever called once for a flat battery and that was when I visited someone elses house and was meant to drive their car which had been sitting idle for about 4 months! I've jump leads in each van so should hopefully never need to call them for a flat battery myself

I wonder is it a BAD time to buy one now, would it get damaged immediately in the conditions we have, would it be better to wait a few weeks?

Not at all. My dad got a new battery in the past week here and it is working fine.