electrics Battery dry.......

[johnny250]

just put nearly a litre of water in my 'maintenance free' Yuasa Professional' 069 battery ??

 

looks like a replacement is due...any suggestions before the shops shut?

[Robin Powell]

I suggest you check the alternator output first before you replace the battery as it must have been gassing rather a lot to use that amount of water. I have found Varta batteries to be pretty good.

 

Cheers

[LGFromage]

Also a tightness check on the connections to the battery terminals would be a good idea.

 

Tim

[4Mal]

You don't say how old it is?

I'd visit a battery specialist and have it checked.

 

I keep mine in good nick(?) with a Ctek conditioner......but it still hs a life after being replaced 5 years ago.

Edited November 9, 2013 by 4Mal

[amclpreston]

I've had Yuasas in several of my cars, they're a decent make.

 

You can check the alternator function easily with a simple hobbyist multimeter.

[johnny250]

Thanks chaps, I've fitted a Platinum battery from local Wilco store, the Yuasa had totally failed and would not charge.

Was told the 069 was obsolete? the 072 replacement was not in stock, but the 031 has a better spec and fitted fine, just a little taller.

 

I'll check the alternator today.

[johnny250]

The (two wire) alternator checks OK (14.4V at battery) when running fast.

BTW I found this on a website whilst looking for info......... DON'T do this at home.....

 

1. Put on a pair of lightweight rubber gloves. You need to use the multimeter and attach the sensors onto the battery terminals so the gloves protect you from getting an electric shock if you accidentally touch one of the terminals.

2. 4

Set your multimeter to measure amperes. This is the current that flows from the alternator. Put the end of the black wire from the multimeter onto the negative battery terminal. The wire has a metal pole on the end and the battery terminal is labelled "Neg." Put the end of the red wire from the multimeter onto the positive battery terminal labelled "Pos."

[peejay4A]

That's hilarious. Maybe they should also have recommended wearing sunglasses and hearing protection against the bang.

[littlejim]

They left out "don't do this on a wet floor" and "you must wear some form of non-conductive footwear". Perhaps plus "we recommend that the tester be at least 18 years old".

reminds me of the first internal sunshade I bought which warned " this shade must not be in raised position when driving".

[johnny250]

A good multimeter should just blow an internal fuse....... a cheap one may be a bit more catastrophic when put across the battery when set to Amps.... that's when the rubber gloves are needed....an old Avo 8 would ping the cutout and maybe bend the needle

Still puzzled as to why the battery went dry though (about 3 years old)...(I don't use a trickle charger) and never noticed the car voltmeter reading high.

Edited November 15, 2013 by johnny250