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emmerson
Joined: 30 Sep 2008 Posts: 1268 Location: South East Wales
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Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2019 6:55 pm Post subject: old battery |
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In the caravan section, back in December I told the tale of rescue-ing an old French caravan.
Well, in the battery box on collection there was an equally old battery, which I intended to throw away, but forgot! So, when I got the van home I took it out and, just to try, put it on a very low charge.
This caravan has been standing, untouched to my certain knowledge, for fifteen years, so the battery showed zero volts. I left it for a couple of weeks in the corner of the shed, on a charger with a dial instead of just lights. The dial showed zero amps going into the battery. Last week I needed the charger, and lo and behold it was showing 2 amps! So I checked and the battery showed 12.8 volts. I put it on the camp[er, and it is still holding charge.
Maybe modern batteries are not as good as they used to be, but this 20+ one, flat for many years, appears to be a good 'un!
There is no maker's name on it, so I can't contact the makers. |
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COMMAD
Joined: 12 Dec 2011 Posts: 176 Location: Gold Coast. Australia
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Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2019 10:10 am Post subject: |
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Don't make them like they did in the Good old days. |
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alastairq
Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 1954 Location: East Yorkshire
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Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2019 10:56 am Post subject: |
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What they called 'leisure' batteries....and tractor batteries, were [are?] made in the old style, with nice stout plates, etc......to withstand frequent charging, standing, etc....whereas modern vehicle batteries [cheaper?] are made with as little cost as possible, and a very limited lifespan......[in comparison]
My DD daihatsu fourtrak has a tractor battery..with the battery bay 'made' to fit [includes a lump of hardwood too]....Works well enough, but may be even older than the vehicle it's on? {Bought whole thing from farmer, so who knows?] _________________ Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
----------------------------------------------
Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces. |
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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6316 Location: Derby
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Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2019 5:38 pm Post subject: |
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A worker at Tayna Batteries informed me that the reason they don't last as long these days is that the plates are made from a composite lead paste rather than pure lead. |
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alanb
Joined: 10 Sep 2012 Posts: 516 Location: Berkshire.
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Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2019 7:44 pm Post subject: |
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When I bought my new car 2 years ago my youngest son took on my old 2001 c class merc, just after Christmas he had to fit a new battery, the one on there was the original battery fitted to the car from new, it had lasted just 18 years and 160,000 miles. Not bad for a modern sealed battery. _________________ old tourer
Morris 8 two seater |
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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6316 Location: Derby
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Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2019 8:12 pm Post subject: |
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I suppose modern cars with their pre engaged starter motors, efficient alternators, LED bulbs etc. give the battery an easier life. |
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Mog
Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 661 Location: Sydney
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Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2019 2:36 am Post subject: |
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If the battery is fitted in the boot / trunk they last a lot longer . They do not get so hot . The one on my BMW lasted 10 years . |
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Norseman
Joined: 09 Jan 2019 Posts: 78 Location: Essex UK
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Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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Batteries, like brake linings/pads, clutches etc. always seem to last the longest when they are the original factory fit items. My late parents had a Toyota whose original battery lasted around 12 years & was only changed to give peace of mind with the coming of the winter months that year.
nb: 12.8v is an acceptable output for a disconnected/no load battery but might not be capable of producing the necessary CCA (cold crank amps) when fitted to a car. _________________ 1987 classic Range Rover Vouge
1998 E39 523i SE sedan
A great many models have served me well since the 'sixties, all of them old & some even older than me.
Last edited by Norseman on Tue Mar 19, 2019 11:21 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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ukdave2002
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4105 Location: South Cheshire
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Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 8:24 pm Post subject: |
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New batteries are a quantum leap better than older stuff, however any battery charged by electromechanical regulation will be compromised compared to an alternator charge.
D. |
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Norseman
Joined: 09 Jan 2019 Posts: 78 Location: Essex UK
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Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 11:29 pm Post subject: |
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ukdave2002 wrote: | New batteries are a quantum leap better than older stuff, however any battery charged by electromechanical regulation will be compromised compared to an alternator charge. D. |
Interesting statement Dave, could you elaborate please as I'm ignorant of any difference in the effectiveness of the two different methods & even at my age life is a learning curve _________________ 1987 classic Range Rover Vouge
1998 E39 523i SE sedan
A great many models have served me well since the 'sixties, all of them old & some even older than me. |
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Phil - Nottingham
Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 1252 Location: Nottingham
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Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2019 8:32 pm Post subject: |
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Modern cars with alternators are kinder to batteries giving a smoother and more precise charge. Dynamos are more robust and a rougher charge that may not fully equal the load under certain driving conditions but especially irregularly used cars.
We have 3 classic cars with their original dynamos and 4 with old alternators. All cars are used at least once a week and the batteries 069 budget batteries bar 1 from Taynor last 10+ years. The one without is smaller 015 but we get the same life. _________________ Rover P2
Rover P4
Rover P5 & P5B
Land Rover S2 & S3
Morris Mini Traveller Mk2 |
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Mog
Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 661 Location: Sydney
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Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 7:59 am Post subject: |
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I was told Mazda always fitted Yuasa batteries as they were the best . My mother had a new Datsun 120Y . The battery was Yuasa and lasted about 5 years , at that time other batteries only lasted about 2 years . |
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Norseman
Joined: 09 Jan 2019 Posts: 78 Location: Essex UK
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Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 9:58 am Post subject: |
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Fitted one of these to my RRC last winter, not had this make of battery in a vehicle before but know the manuf. has a good name for rechargeable batts. used in the electrical equipment used by infirm or disabled people. _________________ 1987 classic Range Rover Vouge
1998 E39 523i SE sedan
A great many models have served me well since the 'sixties, all of them old & some even older than me. |
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badhuis
Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 1390 Location: Netherlands
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Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 10:17 am Post subject: |
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According to the Jaguar specialist who replaced a rear wheel bearing half a year ago, the battery on my X-type is still the original. 15 years old! _________________ a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment |
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47Jag
Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 1480 Location: Bothwell, Scotland
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Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 12:04 pm Post subject: |
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The battery in my wife’s 2002 BMW Mini appeared to be failing two years ago so I replaced it. So that was after 14 years. I put it on charge and left it for a couple of weeks. I wanted to give my old Jaguar engine a run and put the ex-Mini battery in and it started it no problem. I’ve left it there and as of Sunday last it still does the business when I ran the old girl up again.
Art |
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