Battery Charging Problem

[paulv]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Only problem with depending totally on specific gravities for determining when to swap out a battery is that other factors (internal resistance, cell weak bridging, etc.) will not be detected until the car strands you. A fifteen second load test will not only catch weak electrolyte (low SG), but will catch the other issues as well. The same load test unit can also test your alternator for diode response and voltage regulator activity, all at the same time, which is why load testing has become the standard test for battery replacement…………….

Agree. Have you ever used any of those Midtronics battery testers? I used one on my wife's MB because the tech didn't know how to operate it (Tire store tech). They're a nice tester but being a DIY'er, it's beyond what my wallet can afford!!


Regards,
paul...

[extanker]

diode response ?

[Gilles]

My '07 CS was manufactured early '07 (about four years ago) and the battery does not longer has the same cranking power, but it gets used at least once a week for a few days.

Now, I bought a automatic battery charger, that has a battery reconditioning feature and also an equalizer feature.

It fully charged the battery in about 1 1/2 hours and now it's going through the equalizing process (battery removed from the car), we'll see if the battery improves after that.

Question: Would be advisable to drain the acid from the battery and fill it up with fresh acid..? Or just to fill up with distilled water

In SoCal does not get really cold, but gets warm during the summer (100-115 occasionally), therefore the battery may finally die during the summer time...

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Gilles

Question: Would be advisable to drain the acid from the battery and fill it up with fresh acid..? Or just to fill up with distilled water

Do not dump the acid and refill it, that will hasten the death of the unit. Top it off with distilled water...... You may want to also consider having it load tested; that will give you a go/no go rating of its condition.

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Do not dump the acid and refill it, that will hasten the death of the unit. Top it off with distilled water...... You may want to also consider having it load tested; that will give you a go/no go rating of its condition.

Thanks JFP,
The equalizing cycle just ended (about 4 1/2 hours), and now the charger shows 'full' and the battery never got hot, but I saw the liquid bubbling very slowly.

The instructions called to remove the plugs which I did however, to keep the dirt out these were covered with a folded 'blue paper towel' and the towel ended impregnated with circled shaped holes with minuscule dark particles on it from the cells.

I will let it cool down before starting the engine, a small report will follow afterwards.

Gilles

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Do not dump the acid and refill it, that will hasten the death of the unit. Top it off with distilled water...... You may want to also consider having it load tested; that will give you a go/no go rating of its condition.

Ok JFP, after three complete early morning cold starts (+/- 40 deg) I am happy to report how much better the battery feels while cranking the cold engine.

The equalization process did work out we'll see if this lasts until summer time, after all it's a four year old battery...

.

[JFP in PA]

Good. 4-5 years is about an average life for many of these, so don't be surprised if it starts to fade again.

[Paul]

All this bother for a $50 to $60 battery from Wal-Mart?