New battery or more?

The Mighty Quinn

Have a Merc C180, been declared off the road since May. Sat up ever since more or less.

I went to drive it few weeks ago, dead battery. No problem. Jumped it from my other car. Took it for a spin to charge up battery a bit.

Brakes were a little clunky at first, due to being sat up no doubt, but within few mins it was fine and driving perfect. Drove about 20 mins. Got home and parked.

Tried to start it up again, no go. Dead as a dodo. Presume battery just not holding a charge and needs replacing?

Or is it something like... I dunno, an alternator not charging a battery (talking beans here haha)?

Any ideas?
Any idea of costs for same?

Miscreant

The Mighty Quinn wrote: »

Have a Merc C180, been declared off the road since May. Sat up ever since more or less.

I went to drive it few weeks ago, dead battery. No problem. Jumped it from my other car. Took it for a spin to charge up battery a bit.

Brakes were a little clunky at first, due to being sat up no doubt, but within few mins it was fine and driving perfect. Drove about 20 mins. Got home and parked.

Tried to start it up again, no go. Dead as a dodo. Presume battery just not holding a charge and needs replacing?

Or is it something like... I dunno, an alternator not charging a battery (talking beans here haha)?

Any ideas?
Any idea of costs for same?

More than likely that the battery is kaput. If you can get access to a multimeter you can check if the alternator is charging the battery. Otherwise you should be able to get a new battery for about €100 or so.

biko

You need to drive longer. If the battery was flat it will take quite some time before it's fully charged again.
Go on the motorway for 30 mins or more.

punisher5112

With the cold weather is be very surprised if it's not goosed....

Get a new one especially if going to be using again.

In future if leaving up like that, disconnect, bring it indoor and stock on trickle charger, they aren't expensive.

newmember2

Charge the battery fully then let it stand for a day and see if it has held it's charge of around 12.8V. If it's gone below 12V it's fcuked, but if it's still OK, check the voltage of it with a multimeter when cranking the car - if it goes below 9V you more than likely need a new battery..

The Mighty Quinn

biko wrote: »

You need to drive longer. If the battery was flat it will take quite some time before it's fully charged again.
Go on the motorway for 30 mins or more.

Understand it wouldn't have been fully charged on this but thought it'd be enough to start the engine again. But when key was turned (ten seconds after turning off car) there was no attempt to start. The display on the dash came on and that was that.

Seeing as it's not taxed and declared off the road, I shouldn't have been out at all with it. So I won't be going back out to motorways and main roads.

Basically just want to get it running to sell it and get rid.

fryup

go to a scrapyard and get a decent second hand one,

bazz26

fryup wrote: »

go to a scrapyard and get a decent second hand one,

A second hand battery was probably sitting around unused as much as the one the OP already has. Second hand batteries are a false economy imo.

artanevilla

It if was completely dead I'd say the battery is goosed. It was probably the alternator that was running the car after the jump. A new battery will be cheaper than a 2nd hand.

fryup

bazz26 wrote: »

A second hand battery was probably sitting around unused as much as the one the OP already has. Second hand batteries are a false economy imo.

well i got one from a scrap yard 4 years back for 20 quid and its still going fine, not a bother...maybe i was lucky

CoBo55

fryup wrote: »

well i got one from a scrap yard 4 years back for 20 quid and its still going fine, not a bother...maybe i was lucky

Luck of the draw, if it was a yoke I was flogging on I'd take the chance too.

antodeco

Being honest, I doubt the 20 minutes was enough. Were you driving around listening to radio/lights on too? Anything that divert power away from charging the battery will cause issues. I'd say you need a good 1-2hours proper motorway spin.

CoBo55

antodeco wrote: »

Being honest, I doubt the 20 minutes was enough. Were you driving around listening to radio/lights on too? Anything that divert power away from charging the battery will cause issues. I'd say you need a good 1-2hours proper motorway spin.

What's turned on, lights etc doesn't really matter as the alternator will give the battery whatever it needs to refill it has plenty of output, as you say it's time more than anything else that's needed. (assuming the battery isn't sulphated to death and can't take a charge).