Topic

bakerboy
By: bakerboy
Posts: 26
Joined: 15/12/07

BATTERY CHARGING CONFUSION!

Posted: Apr 01 2010 Views: 45

Anyone had a simular experience to me?  Took my MK2 for a battery check at Halfords as I felt is wasnt operating at full pelt when starting the car and the guy at Halfords measured an output of 56%!

"Definately on the way out" he said; probably wanting a sale!!  I went home and used a brand new charger which I have never used before and set it on Fast charge -within a very short space of time it showed a full charge!

Is this right? Replaced battery on car and it starts up o.k. but doesnt really sound too much better!  Having never charged a battery before and I also have no idea of the batterys age but think as its a Panasonic Mazda battery that it could be the original (2000)  well if it is it surely needs replacing after ten years!!!!!

Replies

  1. /My-Page/?userId=7693

    RE: BATTERY CHARGING CONFUSION!

    Did mine last year as it went flat i would say a slow over night charge is best still on the mazda battery from 2003 all good....


    Splash Green mk2.5Drunk

    http://www.facebook.com/stuart.hirons
    Posted: Apr 01 2010 By: safaristu   Posts: 1297
  2. /My-Page/?userId=11346

    RE: BATTERY CHARGING CONFUSION!

    How often do you use the car and what sort of distances do you normally travel?...Low charge is most likely due to the drain of winter when running lights, heater, windscreen, stereo etc on most journeys (especially if you commute to a 9-5 less than 20 miles each way).

     

    As said above you need to trickle charge overnight - these batteries are quite small for most fast chargers and tend to warm up / switch off too quickly.  On my charger I just flick between the fast and trickle mode to speed things up, when fast charge shows 100% I flick to trickle and that settles at about 60%, 70% next swap etc etc etc.  Will still take 4-6 hours though.

    Posted: Apr 01 2010 By: chrisp_1   Posts: 113
  3. /My-Page/?userId=3170

    RE: BATTERY CHARGING CONFUSION!

    I would concur with the above, the battery will falsely show 100% if the plates are buckled, the battery will drain within seconds to 50-60%. I recon Halfords are not far wrong on this one.

    Might just be worth checking the alternator output is ok at a tyre and battery shop just to get a second opinion

    I do 5-10 miles a day with lights, heated window, cd blairing and whatever other electrical device is required and have not yet ever had an issue with my battery.

    Might be worth checking out a scap yard to see if they have one for a tenner

    Posted: Apr 01 2010 By: hairless   Posts: 291
  4. /My-Page/?userId=376

    RE: BATTERY CHARGING CONFUSION!

    As much as I hate to say this, on this occasion, trust Halfords.

    When they test the battery, they do so under load and are pretty accurate.

    If the battery is 10 years old, then I would not mess about.

    For £70 you can get a good battery and you need not worry about it again.

     
    Posted: Apr 01 2010 By: anakim   Posts: 3503
  5. /My-Page/?userId=642

    RE: BATTERY CHARGING CONFUSION!

    Thanks everyone for your info and help; I will take heed!

    Cheers from Bakerboy (Pete)

    Posted: Apr 02 2010 By: bakerboy   Posts: 26