1st time in a year and its let me down

[Rob_S]

well, there we go, car wont start
i suspect its the battery cos it was too quick to run down and on cranking voltage drops to 8.summat (and that was yesterday when it started) so that cant be right.
am getting a spark and it spluttered to start, theres fuel going in.
batteries fecked innit?
whats a big battery set you back nowadays? and how big can you go?

[DarrenH]

mines been doing the same recently, just about having enough juice to start, then just about getting enough charge from the journey to repeat the above the next time.

what ive started doing is giving a bit of gas when i crank, not for fuel, but because if the throttles open the engine can turn over a little easier, with less strain.

I took my battery out in the week and charged it up, but it was still struggling and starter motor cutting out, clicking, click, turn.

I just wanna replace the altenator, battery and starter. dont have the cash though. diesel battery is about 50 rubs, mine is a diesel battery, but its old.

[ultracav]

get a battery thats com out of a diesel.. iv had mine for over 2 years and no problems...

[Rob_S]

i never have any luck with batteries, last 3 i have had have all been defective and let me down when i am just going to pick someone up
i put 1/4 throttle to help starting as well odders
noticed mine charges better for a few minutes as well, i get 14.8v or so going in then it drops to 14.4 (until i start turning the electrics on) but the alternator is fairly new and i dont think its that, more like the battery has lost some charge and now its just had it.
bigass battery for me tomorrow then, it was on my shopping list anyway i suppose. should be fun carrying it a mile or so tho

[Garrie]

Hi,

Funnily enough my battery went the other day, had .34 volts or sommat daft. I got a battery from Vxl for a Cav 1.7td. It will crank the titanic

[Rob_S]

how much was that then G?

[Garrie]

Hi,

It was about £44 or simliar. I bought it from VXL but it ain't a VXL battery if that makes sense? The guy explained that these batteries are cheaper than VXL ones but they also have a 2 year warranty on them

[Rob_S]

i will be keeping the receipt this time.
will just wander over to mr mechanic and get the biggest battery they have in.

[Garrie]

he he. Can I have a big battery please!

What cars it for

I don't care, I just want the BIGGEST!!!!

[Rob_S]

yeah well, the guy knows i am mad.
i have got a load of cable to move it to the back if it wont fit in the tray lmao

[Cemesis]

I bought a £75 Diesel Battery from Halfords with a 4 year guarentee. It only just fits in the tray.

[nrj]

I got the 66amp Genuine Vaux battery, that just fits in the tray on a Mk3 Astra, as above - it could start the titanic.

[DarrenH]

titanic had steam engines

[J73 AWU]

all becasue its a mk2 astra. prone to problems.

[Garrie]

Originally posted by 0ddball
titanic had steam engines

tut tut your sooooooooooooooooo Pedantic...

[MartG]

Just make sure your new BIG batteries terminals don't touch the inside of the bonnet - saw a car where this had happened once. Two neat round holes burnt in the bonnet, and the engine compartment covered in acid when the battery exploded!lmao

[Rob_S]

i doubt the battery died cos it was in an astra
but anyway, on the subject of big batteries, i have a 70amp alternator and not a big diesel one. will it still charge a diesel battery ok?

[phazer]

have a 70amp alternator and not a big diesel one. will it still charge a diesel battery ok?

Yes, shouldn't be a problem. I'm running the same in my Nova, 70amp alt and Nova TD diesel battery, with no problems whatsoever. Never had starting so easy

[Rob_S]

ta, will have to make a few less short journeys to make sure its charged up ok

[JamesMcbride]

if its one that you can top up, check the levels in it

[Rob_S]

it is, cant be bothered now. cant charge it, aint jump starting and i have been needing a new battery for a while so am just gonna get a decent one.

[cavvysri]

you up in scotland much? i could get you a big diesel one new for about £24-£25+vat

[DaveB]

I got a 72Ahr diesel battery from local motorfactors with 5yr guarantee for £45.99

[DarrenH]

Originally posted by JamesMcbride
if its one that you can top up, check the levels in it

whats in the battery ? and what do you top it up with ?

answer, acid and distilled water. oddball has never understood how dilluting the acid in each cell will return the battery to normal output.

[OllyTB]

Heat and vibration are the most harmful elements to an automobile battery. However, many other factors can cause battery failure, such as: corroded cables and terminals, lack of electrolyte maintenance, sulfating, alternator/regulator malfunction, and electric shorts.

Heat increases the rate of evaporation, which causes a loss of water from the electrolyte. (it's only water that evapourates) by adding distilled water you are only replacing the lost water and not adding contamination. Heat increases the rate of evaporation, which causes a loss of water from the electrolyte. Extreme heat also increases the rate of self-discharge and promotes the corrosion of the positive plate grids. Extreme cold dramatically reduces the speed at which chemical reaction can occur, while increasing electrolyte resistance. It is important to keep batteries at a full charge during periods of extreme cold. Batteries in a discharged state are susceptible to freezing, which can cause damage to the plates and battery container. cars demand more from a battery in freezing temperatures as the oil thickens and makes the engine harder to crank.
Heat is the number one killer of a battery; although it increases the performance of the battery short-term, life is drastically reduced over time

Under normal conditions, a battery fails due to the deterioration of the positive grids and active material.

Hope that helps odders,