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Battery Discharged

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by dm_n_stuff, Jun 28, 2004.

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  1. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Dave M.
    #1 dm_n_stuff, Jun 28, 2004
    My brand new battery was run down to zero twice last week. Required a re-charge for about 4 hours to get back up to snuff the 1st time, then was run back to nothing again and charged again. (Ran the car at idle with the a/c on, completely discharging the battery.)

    The charging system in a Dino is not fabulous to begin with with a relatively low effeciency alternator.

    My question is this: Now the battery doesn't seem to want to hold, or take a charge very well. Could these two events, the discharges of the battery, have permanently damaged it and cause it now to not take a charge?

    Thanks,

    Dave
     
  2. tifosi

    tifosi F1 Veteran
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    #2 tifosi, Jun 28, 2004
    i guess it is possible but I would note for a severly discharged battery I would leave it on the trickle charger for more than 4 hours to get it back to snuff.
     
  3. jimangle

    jimangle F1 Rookie

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    #3 jimangle, Jun 28, 2004
    It could be that you have a bad cell in your battery, or you have a short in it. You can have it tested. Usually a battery with a short will show 12 volts at the terminals, but can't handle any sort or load. They also won't except a charge.
     
  4. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Dave M.
    #4 dm_n_stuff, Jun 28, 2004
    Tom, on 10 amps trickle, how long should it take to recharge completely?
     
  5. fivebob

    fivebob Formula Junior

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    Callum
    #5 fivebob, Jun 28, 2004
    There's your likely cause, probably warped the plates and toasted a cell. Trickle charge should be at 10% of the rated capacity of the battery i.e. 40Amp Hour battery should be charged at no more than 4 amps. There are battery chargers that will charge at a faster rate but they monitor the battery condition and can't be used on all batteries.
     
  6. tifosi

    tifosi F1 Veteran
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    #6 tifosi, Jun 28, 2004
    I usually use the lowest setting on mine which I think is 3 amp and let it go overnight (12 hours) to get the best charge. make sure yours has a cycle off feature which senses when the battery is fully charged. Also make sure you have made a good neg connection to the frame
     
  7. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #7 dm_n_stuff, Jun 28, 2004
    I watch them while charging. IT has a 2 and a 10 amp setting, I believe.

    I keep an eye on it to insure that it doesn't overcharge.

    2 amps overnight is worth a shot next time, I guess.

    Hmmm.. probably off to Pep Boys for a replacement
     
  8. jimangle

    jimangle F1 Rookie

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    #8 jimangle, Jun 28, 2004
    Dave,
    The Pep boys on west chester pike can do a load test for you. They checked my 308 battery and that's how it was determined that I had a short in it.
     
  9. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #9 dm_n_stuff, Jun 28, 2004
    Jim.

    You ready for a Sunday drive yet? I finally have the Dino running pretty well and it could stand for an AM run some time soon. Out Goshen Road, through Chester County down 926 over to 100 and back maybe?

    Let me know.
     
  10. jimangle

    jimangle F1 Rookie

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    #10 jimangle, Jun 28, 2004
    Dave,
    I'm ready. I'm in charleston s.c. right now. I'll be back in pa tomorrow. That route sounds great. I'll let you know soon.
    Jim
     
  11. RAYMAN

    RAYMAN Formula Junior
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    #11 RAYMAN, Jun 28, 2004
    If you for sure ran to O volts, you probabally reversed the polarity in a cell or two. If that happed, you'll never be able to trust it again.
     

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