battery questions
Discussion
how long should i charge a low battery for? its a 10 amp charger..... it has a cut off, but ive never seen it green, ie: the battery fully charged. dont want to bugger the thing......and is it ok to charge in situ? ive taken it off once before and nearly broke me back!
and should i take off those plastic bits when charging.
Basic things that i should know the answers for but i dont! thats why im a graphic designer and not a motor technican! cheers guys, mark
and should i take off those plastic bits when charging.
Basic things that i should know the answers for but i dont! thats why im a graphic designer and not a motor technican! cheers guys, mark
Can't answer the technical bit as to how long a full charge will take but would comment on the other points.
(1)You should remove or slacken off the "plastic bits" as these are the cell covers and when charging a gas builds up that needs to be released otherwise things could get explosive.
(2)If you decide to leave the battery in the car, make sure you put some rags,or newspaper etc around the battery as sometimes the battery acid will "splash" out when charging and this is very corrosive and wont do the parts around the engine much good, you will have seen this corrosion as a "white" residue around the terminal (should be greased) or in the battery tray itself.Ideally it is always better to remove the battery.
To help lifting out the battery and damaging your back!!, next time you do remove it, place a couple of the "suitcase" straps you can buy quite cheaply and put these under and over the battery to form a "carrying handle" this does make it easier. Iv'e done this on a Trials car I have as I always seem to have to charge the battery up and it does make it easier.
(1)You should remove or slacken off the "plastic bits" as these are the cell covers and when charging a gas builds up that needs to be released otherwise things could get explosive.
(2)If you decide to leave the battery in the car, make sure you put some rags,or newspaper etc around the battery as sometimes the battery acid will "splash" out when charging and this is very corrosive and wont do the parts around the engine much good, you will have seen this corrosion as a "white" residue around the terminal (should be greased) or in the battery tray itself.Ideally it is always better to remove the battery.
To help lifting out the battery and damaging your back!!, next time you do remove it, place a couple of the "suitcase" straps you can buy quite cheaply and put these under and over the battery to form a "carrying handle" this does make it easier. Iv'e done this on a Trials car I have as I always seem to have to charge the battery up and it does make it easier.
Just looked up Battery charging in my set of "ON THE ROAD"and they give the following advice.
Although not a hazardous item , a car battery should be understood when charging.
(1)It contains a dangerous fluid namely sulphuric acid.
(2)When being recharged it generates Hydrogen gas, this is lighter than air and can easily be ignited
(3) The battery should not be recharged in the car but in a well ventilated area, NEVER smoke when handling the battery.
(4)Never put spanners on top of the battery as this can short by accident across the terminals and cause a spark.
(5) Always switch off and pull the plug from the wall first when charging is complete.
Finally they quote.
"If you think about what you are doing before you act, you can avoid many of the problems which beset the clumsy or unthinking DIY mechanic." Don't become a statistic.
Cheers.
Although not a hazardous item , a car battery should be understood when charging.
(1)It contains a dangerous fluid namely sulphuric acid.
(2)When being recharged it generates Hydrogen gas, this is lighter than air and can easily be ignited
(3) The battery should not be recharged in the car but in a well ventilated area, NEVER smoke when handling the battery.
(4)Never put spanners on top of the battery as this can short by accident across the terminals and cause a spark.
(5) Always switch off and pull the plug from the wall first when charging is complete.
Finally they quote.
"If you think about what you are doing before you act, you can avoid many of the problems which beset the clumsy or unthinking DIY mechanic." Don't become a statistic.
Cheers.
Blimey Mark, you haven't driven that car much have you !?...getting it ready for sunday, by chance?
Graphich design huh?, i'm a building designer myself, using CAD.
As John says, definitely remove the plastic caps when charging the battery, i doubt you want a battery exploding over you and your nice car with that lovely acid!
I'm just debating getting one of those Accumate battery trickle chargers for leaving the car in the garage over winter..seem very good investment (£40) to keep the battery in tip-top charge & condition, cheaper than buying a new battery and/or having a flat one whenever you want to take the car for a spin. (Plus i've found them for £5 cheaper than Leven supply!)
Graphich design huh?, i'm a building designer myself, using CAD.
As John says, definitely remove the plastic caps when charging the battery, i doubt you want a battery exploding over you and your nice car with that lovely acid!
I'm just debating getting one of those Accumate battery trickle chargers for leaving the car in the garage over winter..seem very good investment (£40) to keep the battery in tip-top charge & condition, cheaper than buying a new battery and/or having a flat one whenever you want to take the car for a spin. (Plus i've found them for £5 cheaper than Leven supply!)
mark...er no.....this will be the first drive since leebee serviced it ...ohhh ...2 months ago? and yes getting it fettled for sunday! was columbo your father by any chance? yeah, im gonna buy one of those jobbies too, sod this issing about with lumps of sulphic acid every couple of months, or in my case every time i waan drive it!! see you sunday big boy.... we can talk tvrs all day! i dont get out much me...........
>> Edited by markbigears on Friday 30th August 15:34
>> Edited by markbigears on Friday 30th August 15:34
hi all
the acumate chargers can be purchased from most motorcycle shops i have got one fitted to my motorcycle and have aspare set of leads for the tiv
the other good item out there is a solar powered charger these are about £20 from my local spares shop and seem to work very well my mate has extended the leads on his and has it plugged into the ciggy socket on his mk1 rs2000 and it keeps it topped up (the solar panel is on his garage window sill
regards handles the last battery i got for my s has got a carrying handle fitted and it helps no more back ache
happy motoring
trevor
the acumate chargers can be purchased from most motorcycle shops i have got one fitted to my motorcycle and have aspare set of leads for the tiv
the other good item out there is a solar powered charger these are about £20 from my local spares shop and seem to work very well my mate has extended the leads on his and has it plugged into the ciggy socket on his mk1 rs2000 and it keeps it topped up (the solar panel is on his garage window sill
regards handles the last battery i got for my s has got a carrying handle fitted and it helps no more back ache
happy motoring
trevor
Recommend the Airflow battery conditioner (found it on the internet). Works a treat on the Griff as it has a live cig socket - I just leave it plugged in in garage (like Tornado in hardened shelter ready for scramble...). The difference from a charger as such is that a 'conditioner' only supplies about 500mA and then switches off when battery is happy. Perfect for keeping it chirpy if it's a second car, or in freezing weather - avoids the 'will it start' feeling.
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