Flat Battery - why today?

Chilli Girl · September 11, 2021, 20:18

Went to take Sapphire out of the garage to clean her up for tomorrow's meet and nothing except for a few dash lights but not enough to crank her over. I hadn't used her for 2/3 weeks but I'd been on a spirited 120 mile run just before I put her away and I never lock her whilst she's in the locked garage (to save battery). Oh well, I can see a new battery coming along

Anybody recommend where I can find a good deal on one.

jonbill · September 11, 2021, 20:24

The battery was new a couple of months ago. I'm sure I told you the alarm system goes through the battery if you leave it unlocked 🤔

jonbill · September 11, 2021, 20:29

Oh, actually it wasn't new, I put the 'good' battery from the silver in Sapphire. Then had to buy a new one for the silver car!

Chilli Girl · September 11, 2021, 20:34

Quote from: jonbill on September 11, 2021, 20:24The battery was new a couple of months ago. I'm sure I told you the alarm system goes through the battery if you leave it unlocked 🤔

You may've done but I'd forgotten but I do remember you saying it came out of the silver one and I think it was new in 2017. Oh well, these things happen and certainly worse things happen in life! 😕

Topdownman · September 11, 2021, 20:47

Last one I bought was one of these;

https://www.thebatteryshop.co.uk/yuasa-12v-50ah-450a-silver-car-battery-ybx5053-hsb053-8583-p.asp

Chilli Girl · September 11, 2021, 20:55

Thanks @Topdownman

Joesson · September 11, 2021, 22:32

Quote from: Topdownman on September 11, 2021, 20:47Last one I bought was one of these;

https://www.thebatteryshop.co.uk/yuasa-12v-50ah-450a-silver-car-battery-ybx5053-hsb053-8583-p.asp

That's the Battery I have had in my 2 for several years, not at base camp at the moment so can't check. But, I do leave the car on charge via my Lidl special charger ( ca £13.00).
In my experience batteries are OK for around 2 weeks without driving the car. The longest was three weeks while in an airport long stay. I may have disconnected the battery when I did that. Always worthwhile if no charger available for long periods imo.
Not to mention the quick disconnect that @Carolyn and @Petrus have found beneficial.

1979scotte · September 11, 2021, 22:37

I leave the V6 sometimes weeks between use since @Carolyn fixed the wiring starts first time every time.

Ardent · September 11, 2021, 23:42

@Chilli Girl
I replaced like with like excide eb454.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1x-Exide-Excell-45Ah-300CCA-12v-Type-044-Car-Battery-3-Year-Warranty-EB454-/191537663700?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

Frank Rabbets · September 14, 2021, 14:32

Kept mine for 3 weeks unlocked and another 3 weeks locked. No flat battery. When a lead acid battery goes flat it is often scrap. It may take a new charge but damage may have been done. If it goes flat within 3 weeks I would think there is a parasitic drain or a faulty battery

Chilli Girl · September 18, 2021, 20:43

Well, I'm pleased to say that Sapphire started up fine this afternoon, the run to Northampton and back must've recharged her battery nicely. I've washed my other 2, put her away and Sapphire's out, had her tyre pressures checked and oil all ready for her round trip of 120 miles to Somerset tomorrow.

fawtytoo · September 24, 2021, 20:03

I had mine replaced today. Been good for the last 2 1/2 years. God knows when it was replaced last. Have had to jump start it several times off the Hyundai.

I've now got a Bosch with a 4 year guarantee.

I've been told that each time a battery goes flat, the acid crystallises on the lead plates. Each time it goes flat, there's more building up until eventually the acid cannot react with the lead plates to create electricity. Someone with more knowledge might be able to refine that.

The point here is, don't let it go flat because you are slowly destroying the battery. If you're not going to drive it for a few weeks, disconnect the battery. The car can still be locked.

Carolyn · September 24, 2021, 20:18

Quote from: fawtytoo on September 24, 2021, 20:03I had mine replaced today. Been good for the last 2 1/2 years. God knows when it was replaced last. Have had to jump start it several times off the Hyundai.

I've now got a Bosch with a 4 year guarantee.

I've been told that each time a battery goes flat, the acid crystallises on the lead plates. Each time it goes flat, there's more building up until eventually the acid cannot react with the lead plates to create electricity. Someone with more knowledge might be able to refine that.

The point here is, don't let it go flat because you are slowly destroying the battery. If you're not going to drive it for a few weeks, disconnect the battery. The car can still be locked.

One total discharge will usually kill a battery.

fawtytoo · September 24, 2021, 20:23

In the 13 years I owned my Smart, I replaced the battery 6 times (approx every 2 years). I never worked out why it went flat, and no garage could find a fault. And that was with continuous use. And at least one of those batteries went flat just once, and that was it. What you say Carolyn is quite true.

Chilli Girl · September 24, 2021, 20:31

I think I caught it just in time as even though the engine didn't crank, I still had lights on on the dash! Been fine since!

fawtytoo · September 24, 2021, 20:36

That's what mine did yesterday. I was kinda hoping the jump start would be enough and a long drive. Took it to the garage who put it on charge overnight. Next morning they checked it, and it still wouldn't start the car.
Oh well.