Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Kleftiwallah · Joined: 27 Oct 2016 Posts: 222 Location: North Wiltshire

The battery on my old van has gone flat through non-use. Fitted the extaension cable and the charger (bought from Halfords, Bath in 1974ish),

Now, as the battery is as flat as flatcould be, I thought the ammeter would be up there in the 5s or 6s but it is just off the bottom stop. I thought a flat battery would have soaked up the amps, so why isn't it at a higher reading?

Tis working, I can hear it buzzing internally. Perplext of Wiltshire.

Cheers, Tony. Confused

Kleftiwallah · Joined: 27 Oct 2016 Posts: 222 Location: North Wiltshire

I realise this isn't stricktly "restoration" in the normal sence of the word, but I'm trying to restore my battery to fully charged!

Cheers, Tony. Very Happy

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4759 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi
What are the electrolyte levels in the cells?
_________________
Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

Kleftiwallah · Joined: 27 Oct 2016 Posts: 222 Location: North Wiltshire

It's one of those new fangled sealed cell/unit jobbies.

Cheers, Tony.

D4B · Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 2083 Location: Hampshire UK

As batteries get old and deteriorate through lack of use or old age, lead falls off the plates, builds up and will eventually short out between plates,
this could be why the charger won't do what you expect, if the batteries had it....

To check if this is the case, a drop test would be required, using something like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6V-12V-100Amp-Car-Van-Auto-Battery-Load-Drop-And-Charging-System-Tester-452107-/291534070121?hash=item43e0c8e169:g:8qwAAOSwqbZXFKk4

The charger might eventually show a reading if you leave it a while longer?

petelang · Joined: 21 May 2009 Posts: 444 Location: Nottingham

If you have run it to completely dead flat, a trickle charger will not be man enough to get it started again. I've had this problem a few times when an interior light got left on.
Only procedure for a quick fix is to connect another battery via jump leads and give it a bit of a boost from the alternator from another motor. Once you have just started the process with about ten minutes of running you can then leave your trickle charger on overnight and it should be OK.
Other option is take it to a battery shop and get them to put it on a fast charger.
Voltage equals electrical "pressure" and you need a bit of pressure to start, like blowing up a balloon. It gets easy once it's started but resistance then grows as it becomes charged.
Peter

47Jag · Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 12:33 pm Post subject:

Tony,

The 'New fangled sealed jobbies' usually do have filler caps but they are hidden under a plastic sticker. They have to get filled with acid somehow.

If a battery is left in a discharged state a condition called sulfation sets in where the plates harden with lead sulphate. There is no know/proven way of recovering from this state and replacement or replacing would be the way to go IMHO.

Art

Kleftiwallah · Joined: 27 Oct 2016 Posts: 222 Location: North Wiltshire

Many thanks for all those informative replies. As my old van has only months of wear left in it...I don't think I'll bother to invest in a new battery but just flog on.

Thanks once again. Cheer, Tony. Surprised

kevin2306 · Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 5:34 pm Post subject:

I have a unit similar to this wired into the Singers batter

http://www.ringautomotive.com/uk/products/Cars/Battery+Care/SmartChargers/RSC601

As it is hard wired and uses a plug and socket between car and charger it only takes seconds to plug in once parked in the garage. Ensures a charged battery every time the vehicle is needed.

Well worth the investment

Kevin