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Peter_L
Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Posts: 2680 Location: New Brunswick. Canada.
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Posted: Sat May 30, 2020 7:46 pm Post subject: Vehicle Battery Charger. |
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My daughter called me today for advice. Her normal "daily" is a 2010 Vauxhall Nova. It hasn't been started for many weeks and refused to turn over the engine this morning. So down from the shelf came the battery charger that has a switch "Standard and Sealed". A friendly neighbour advised her to use Standard as the Sealed is for "the latest lithium batteries" and should not be used for car batteries. I have a battery charger, it has 12v and 6v, 2A and 6A, that charger has been used on a wide range of vehicles, lawn tractors, ATV's, Snowmobiles. It does the job.
So... question, What is special about the "sealed" option ? I am off to Google the whole thing but I am confident that there are OCC members with all the answers. Thanks... |
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peter scott
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7118 Location: Edinburgh
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Posted: Sat May 30, 2020 9:02 pm Post subject: |
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Traditional old batteries evaporate their water content and require to be topped up every now and again.
Most modern car batteries are sealed and don't have the 6 screw tops and never require to be topped up.
Peter _________________ http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon |
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Peter_L
Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Posts: 2680 Location: New Brunswick. Canada.
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Posted: Sat May 30, 2020 9:33 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Peter. Thank you for the reply. I am familiar with sealed batteries and have not seen one that requires water since moving to Canada in 2002.
What I don't know is why the battery charger has the "Standard and Sealed" option switch and what does it do and what would be the result of charging a battery with this switch in the "wrong" position.
Regards
Peter L |
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47Jag
Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 1480 Location: Bothwell, Scotland
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Posted: Sun May 31, 2020 8:16 am Post subject: |
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Peter,
It could be that the 'sealed' setting reduces the charge to cut down on the Hydrogen produced when a battery is being charged. These batteries only have a small 3/16" vent pipe. How old is the charger?
Art |
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consul 57
Joined: 09 Nov 2017 Posts: 487 Location: somerset
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Posted: Sun May 31, 2020 1:09 pm Post subject: |
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my motorbikes have sealed batteries and most modern cars, it just depends on whether you have the refil tops on it, not tops, it's sealed. |
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Peter_L
Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Posts: 2680 Location: New Brunswick. Canada.
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Posted: Sun May 31, 2020 1:17 pm Post subject: |
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Thankyou for the replies, I have applied to my daughter for a photo of the said item.
I delved into Google to learn more about charging vehicle batteries. It would appear that I have being doing it wrong for years.
1: Not disconnecting the battery from the vehicle.
2: Not always charging batteries in a well vented garage or better still outside.
3: Not wearing protective gloves and goggles.
4: Not always switching off the charger FIRST.
5: I did get this one correct. Not smoking near the battery. I have never smoked near to anything.... well maybe the bike sheds 60+ years ago.
Stay Safe... |
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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6316 Location: Derby
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Posted: Sun May 31, 2020 10:24 pm Post subject: |
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Peter_L wrote: | Thankyou for the replies, I have applied to my daughter for a photo of the said item.
I delved into Google to learn more about charging vehicle batteries. It would appear that I have being doing it wrong for years.
1: Not disconnecting the battery from the vehicle.
2: Not always charging batteries in a well vented garage or better still outside.
3: Not wearing protective gloves and goggles.
4: Not always switching off the charger FIRST.
5: I did get this one correct. Not smoking near the battery. I have never smoked near to anything.... well maybe the bike sheds 60+ years ago.
Stay Safe... |
Peter. I was taught that cars fitted with an alternator should have their batteries disconnected for charging. Apparently, this is to prevent a diode from overheating.
I would have thought it must depend on for how long and at what amps to do that? |
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Peter_L
Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Posts: 2680 Location: New Brunswick. Canada.
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Posted: Sun May 31, 2020 11:14 pm Post subject: |
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Images. The vehicle is a Vauxhall. The battery was in when she bought the vehicle. Breaking News!!… It is going to the local "car doctor" in the morning and then a tour of local dealers... 2020 VW Golf is favourite.
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