Battery Issues

[lesworth]

Has anyone experienced this before?

My car is stored in my garage and only used once a fortnight or so. A few weeks ago it turned over a bit slower than normal but fired OK. Its not connected to an optimiser / charger and I guess I expected a little drain due to the alarm immobiliser. I drove the car for a good 60 miles to ensure the battery was charged. A week later, the battery seemed completely flat. Other electrical items worked fine, just not enough juice to turn the starter over.

I attempted to charge the battery over 24 hours. When I tried it, nothing. I tried charging again for 12 hours. I tried it and it turned over a couple of times but then nothing. Third attempt at charging (this time with an Optimate) and again nothing.

I'm assuming the battery needs to be replaced (although it doesnt look that old). Tonight I will attempt to re-charge it after removing from the car to rule out any wiring / grounding problems. I'm also going to check the grounding points as per 101 Projects.

Does this sound the right approach? If its not the battery could it literally be any potential electrical problem causing a drain / lack of charging to the battery?

Thanks!

 

[plhorner]

Batteries really do not like this sort of deep cycling. If you can, leave the car on an optimiser when its parked up, I replaced the battery on mine about 3 years ago and also started using an optimate and have subsequently had no problems what so ever. The symptoms sound just like what I experienced, it was always worse over the winter period.

HTH

 

[lesworth]

Thanks Phil.

Out of interest, how long should the battery take, from very flat, to charge?

 

[Guest]

Just as a data point, my batteries tend to last all of about 18 months before needing replacement - probably a function of the limited mileage I do.

The starter needs more current than anything else, so while accessories may work, that doesn't mean the battery is ok. Old and rotten ground straps and wires to the starter also tend to cause starter problems if the battery is not 100%. After replacing these on my 89 it seems much better - it recently started straight away after 8 weeks without driving.

RB

 

[lesworth]

Thanks for your advice everyone. Much appreciated.

I now have a new battery mated to an Optimate. The orange charge light is always on when connected. Is this normal? The manual states that it will light for up to two hours and then perform a test, after which either the green or red lights will indicate battery condition.

Call me paranoid! And thanks for your continued patience.....

 

[lesworth]

Dont worry, I must be colour blind....[]

 

[Guest]

I found that when my battery was indicating fully charged with a charger it was still charging with an optimate. The first optimate session lasted about 3 days before it indicated green however I now have had no further problems in a year despite only occasional trips in the winter