[Greg Byrom (Admin)]

So low voltage causes me issues and I’m trying to work out what the deal is with my battery(ies).

I have one battery that fully charges in no time at all on my six-stage charger, yet when I pop it in the truck it won’t turn over a wet fish. It’s fairly new.

I have another battery of the same CCA rating (730) that will turn over a wet fish but if I leave it for a week it starts causing issues with the starter solenoid not engaging. Fully charging it seems to work but I seem to need to constantly keep it on charge.

There was a time when my truck could be left to its own devices for two months and then started up first turn of the key. This no longer seems to happen. What’s the deal here? i’ve tested for voltage drain and there’s nothing out of the ordinary when it’s sat still so the problem must be the batteries themselves. A suspicion I have at least one sulphated battery, (the first one), not sure what’s up with the second one. It might be on the way.

How can I test for this and I’m told that sulphated batteries can be recovered; how? I don’t want to (or have the means to) blast a massive voltage across them and hope they don’t explode. And I’d rather not.

[Luke P]

There are several ways to test a Pb battery; the best (IMV) is an internal resistance/conductance meter, others use a load tester. Either way there’s a ‘standard’ you expect and you need to see if your battery will meet that.

If you were here in ChCh I’d offer to test it for you with my IR meter, but you’re not so from vast experience in these things I suggest that the first battery has considerably reduced capacity, potentially as a result of sulphation, or loss of plate material, or lost of electrolyte. The second battery may have reasonable capacity but has a low or shorted cell, meaning it has a low terminal voltage (you should be able to measure this with a normal voltmeter).

Unfortunately there’s probably not a lot you can do practically. There is a lot of talk around regarding (de)sulphation and I’ve run some tests myself but I remain unconvinced. It’s likely that if the above scenario is true then it’s only the first battery that _may_ be recoverable, and even then I’d rate the chances as low. Electronic desulphators, if they work at all, will take a month or so before there’s any appreciable improvement, the other option is putting EDTA in the cells themselves.

Either way I’d flag them both and get a decent replacement. By decent I would recommend something made in Germany or possibly the US. Varta, Optima, Odyssey are some good manufacturers – I have Varta’s in my line machines; they’re dearer than the average Repco unit but are a much better battery in my view (they are also orig in the Deefer), even just the weight of them tells me that! Optima etc are a lot more expensive again but will last 10-15 years.

Again, if you were in ChCh I’d get you these at wholesale but the postage cost would be prohibitive, sorry.

HTH, Luke.

[Greg Byrom (Admin)]

Thanks for that @Luke, yes I seem to have a plethora of dud batteries laying about here when all I need is a good one… disappointed about the first one I mentioned above as it was less than 2 years old from Repco. I might have to take all three to the recycling and get a decent single one but I don’t fancy it lasting less than two years again. I’m considering investing in a solar charger to put on the sunroof blind where it can’t be seen, but can’t find a suitable one. And that wouldn’t work in the garage anyway so I figure I need to “plug it in” which is a bit disappointing to keep Rangie plugged in constantly.

I don’t actually mind waiting months for an electronic desulphater to work (I’ve never heard of such a thing). The first battery has been sitting here for months already; it’s not a big deal to have it setting for a few months more. I’d be willing to try that if these things don’t cost too much.

On the other hand, I’m coming to Christchurch on Wednesday next week and although I’ll be working for a few days I’m free on (probably) the friday if you know where to get decent batteries at wholesale prices… I’m really after a 950CCA as that’s what’s recommended, all my current batteries are 730CCA which I suspect doesn’t help especially when I do tend to leave Rangie sitting for a month or so at a time.

[Luke P]

I suspect this will need a few minutes to discuss in person, it’s not rocket science – but neither is it completely simple 🙂

Duration of charge is not affected by ‘CCA’, which is another measure entirely. Either way it’d be good to catch up, and I can certainly sort out a battery for you – although whether you want to try and get it on as hand luggage is another matter!

I can also direct you to where you might get a pre-built desulphator. I’ve made my own but it’s not worth the hassle given the cost of one that someone else has nicely put in a case etc.

 

[Greg Byrom (Admin)]

Thanks Luke, I’ll message you next week and see where we’re at.

 

[Luke P]

Sounds good.

BTW on the other matter, it turns out that ‘relations’ is what one wants (as opposed to ‘join’). Seems that’s what Q calls a 1-many association…

[Greg Byrom (Admin)]

Ahh! I’d gotten so busy I forgot… My apologies!

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