joz8968

iTrader: (13)

My battery got mullered over the Xmas hols (RCM supplied; only about a year old! - not happy ). Car wasn't used at all during the 10-day period! So I might be forced to make a hasty purchase and get a new one from Halfords tonight.

So can anyone tell me the correct Halfords-supplied one for my Classic (specifically a MY99 STi 5), codes, etc.?

Cheers.

the hamster

iTrader: (7)

I got a decent 065 high amp battery from Parkers @ less than £50, works a treat. Had it on 3 cars now, swapped it every time I sold the car.

classic scooby

iTrader: (21)

should it not have a guarantee?? i got mine from halfords with a 4or5 year guarantee i think no problems

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

Right, it would appear to be either of these:-

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...MYS=Find+parts

I take it the calcium one is just more environmentally friendly? No 'performance' gain over the lead acid?

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

Cheers lads.

Good point cs, I'll have to check the guarantee situation tonight...

scooby2.5maz

iTrader: (16)

joz, you anywhere near me ? i have a trade card for halfords if you want to lend it save you at least £30 or so !!

cheers maz

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

Calcium ones generally come with a longer warranty so I expect they'd be better - had a calcium on mine for a few years now and still starting strong

Galifrey

iTrader: (3)

Calcium batteries are lead-acid batteries, however the lead plate is impregnated with calcium rather than antimony as in a conventional lead acid battery. Antimony and calcium are used to strengthen the plates as lead is relatively soft. Both calcium and antimony batteries have disadvantages and advantages. The main advantages of a calcium battery are longer shelf life (they self discharge very slowly), more resistant to vibrations, higher cold cranking amp ratings, less prone to sulphation. The disadvantages of a calcium battery are they are more expensive, harder to recharge once flat, shorter service life, older vehicles cannot charge them properly and they require a certain type of charger to recover them.

http://www.mpoweruk.com/leadacid.htm worth a read

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

Appreciate the offer - but am in Leic. unfortunately.

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

Cheers Galifrey - a calcium it is then.

scooby2.5maz

iTrader: (16)

lol, no worries

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

Was on way to Halfords in Abbey Lane, and en route noticed a completely empty Kwik-Fit. So got it there instead.

Good news (possibly ) is that the old RCM-supplied batt. does indeed have a 3yr warranty - and still got 21 months left to run on it!

Will have to have a 'face/off' with Olly on Saturday....... LOL

tom g

use a battery conditioner , almost all come back to life.

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

Just curious........have you had a front mount fitted so restricting the space for a battery and RCM have fitted a smaller jobby which needs to be kept at 100% to start the car??

Shaun

urban

iTrader: (1)

I don't think you need a new one - just get a jump start and drive around and allow that one to recharge.
I assume you experienced low temperatures during the 10 day period?

I don't know about the classic, but the newage cars have a smart alternator, so you need to get some electrics on otherwise it'll not charge the battery.
In my old car 05 STI when the battery went flat, Subaru assist told me to get a much electrics switched on as I could and take it for a nice steady run for half an hour - worked a treat.

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

I do have a FMIC.... but the old (and new) batts are normal size - pipe just 'grazes' the +ve post (insulated with a silicone sleeve).

I always run with sidelights on. And the heater fan and stereo most times too.

Yeah, the car was left on the road during that 10-day period of cold temps. So, it will have slowly discharged (the flashing LED for the immob. would have helped it along too).

I think I'll slow charge the old batt. for at least 72hrs - and see if I can get full charge back into it....

Tidgy

a single total drain shouldn't kill the battery, a decent battery should last several years.

only proviso is that it isn;t charged, then left to go totaly dead, then charged, then left to go totaly dead etc etc, thats how to kill one in 12 months.

if your cars a weekend car and sits for quite a while at a time look for a battery conditioner. Basicly a trickel charger that turns itself on and off when it needs to.

got one on mine and battery last, car always starts etc etc

Allan

iTrader: (1)

And if that fails try connecting a good battery in parallel with the dead battery, then connect the charger to the good battery. Tricks the charger into thinking there is something there worth charging. Once the Voltage has increased on the dead battery it might take a charge on its own.

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

I use the car every day to and from work. 5.5 mile journey.

Car usually left over the w/e unused. But no issues in 2010/2011 last winter during that harsh snowy/icey spell - the batt would fire the car up on Monday mornings immediately. Plus it fired up fine after last winter's 10-day unused period too

360ste

iTrader: (1)

If I don't run my bugeye for 10 days (ish) then it is generally a non-starter unless caught just right. That is a calcium battery from Halfords, if I use it once a week no problem. I do have a old battery for jump starting and a charger to top the battery up if left over 10 days.

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

I'm currently (pun) trickle-charging my old batt now. Try to get it back to life. Then, should the same scenario come about, the old batt can then be used as a jump starter, like you say.

What should the amps show when fully charged? (If I knew the batt's resistance, I could work that out )

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

The current depends on the voltage the charger is giving out....I've see some peak out at 18volts!!

Thats the problem with dumb chargers. They either over charge or under charge.

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

See below:-


Update...

Right, recharged my old, removed battery to see if it was still serviceable. Charged it indoors at room temps. Here's the outcome (left it 'to discharge' over similar length of time as when it discharged over Xmas i.e. 10-days):-

Day -3 12.79 V
Day -2 12.73 V
Day -1 12.68 V
Day 0 12.66 V (100% SoC)
Day 1 12.63 V
Day 2 12.60 V
Day 3 12,58 V
Day 4 12.56 V
Day 5 12.54 V
Day 6 12.53 V
Day 7 12.52 V
Day 8 12.50 V
Day 9 12.48 V

As can be seen, it pretty much loses 0.2 V each day - is this what you'd expect of a healthy batt. when at room temp. without any parasitic drains? Is it reusable?