Yet another battery question - sorry.

[cliffb]

I have a 140 A/H wet-cell leisure battery which I'm unsure about. Any answers to the following will be much appreciated.

1/ I'm told (by a guy who had a hydrometer) that the cells were OK. I took it off shore power for two weeks and it showed a reading of 12.78 volts. As far as I can tell most - if not all - of the cells were gassing when put back on charge (having taken some charge out of it with use beforehand). However there seems to be some grey matter between the plates in all the cells and in some of them there's a kind of orangy/pinkish matter across what I assume are plates underneath (but this is only on the plates (if that's what they are) not directly under the top-up hole. If it weren't for this grey matter and the orangy/pinkinsh stuff I think I'd be happy. The battery is 5 years old. Question is :- do you think I should change it for a new one (at £190.00 squid!!)

2/ If I change it - I'm having trouble finding another of the right size and dimensions. I can find a Vetus Sealed job that'll fit but I think I read somewhere not to change battery types as the charger will not be set -up right for it. Is this right or can I change to a seal battery with no problems?

3/ Anyone know where I can get a wet-cell battery at short notice? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[savageseadog]

The most reliable way of testing a battery is to use something like a Midtronics battery tester. Other than that a voltage check while cranking will give you a good idea, it shouldn't drop to less than 10 volts preferably 11. Another way is a discharge duration test through a load like one or more car headlight bulbs.

No, the battery size is not critical. You could do what I've done myself in the past and borrow the battery out of your car.

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
3/ Anyone know where I can get a wet-cell battery at short notice

[/ QUOTE ] Halfords do several sizes of Leisure battery. I think the largest is 110 or 120 Ah I cant hep with dimensions though. hopefully less than £190 . I just bought a 60 Ah for £50. a 70Ah was £60.

If your battery reads 12.7v or thereabouts after charging and resting for 12 hours it is still in good nick, but check that it is holding its charge. It should still be above 12.6 a week later and take several weeks before it falls to 12.5. If you can borrow the guy with the hydrometer again check that all the cells are still near enough the same as each other after a couple of weeks or so.

 

[davidpbo]

If it is simply a leisure battery caravan suppliers are a good source or good old yellow pages, battery suppliers. If you need help sourcing one PM or text me. I thought my leisure battery had died, couldn't work out why all the cells looked like they were charging OK but it was not reaching full charge, then I looked at the battery charger and switched it to the type range. All of a sudden battery says "I'm charged you idiot" Been working hard to get boat ready to take up this weekend.R going into hospital for new knee next week. Talk to you soon. D & R.

 

[bluedragon]

I noticed two things in Halfords yesterday a) that battery prices have gone up since last year b) a lot of the car batteries sitting on the shelves were filled/charged at the end of last year!! This means they've had 6 months to sulphate, does it not? Leisure batteries don't seem to have such a date, and when I asked at the local chandlers, they have really no idea how old batteries are when they come in. Something we need to know, isn't it? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[ms1]

on that basis alone I always buy batteries from busy suppliers where the turnover is high.

 

[Impaler]

Try these dudes, mentioned in PBO:
http://www.adverc.co.uk/index.asp

 

[cliff]

Lucas aka LS UK, 110ah "leisure" batteries circa 45 beer tokens each, dry stored - filled to order (in my local Lucas depot at least).
--------------------

"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>

 

[bluedragon]

[ QUOTE ]
Lucas aka LS UK, 110ah "leisure" batteries circa 45 beer tokens each, dry stored - filled to order (in my local Lucas depot at least).

[/ QUOTE ]

Now that is interesting!! Got an LSUK just down the road. I'll have a word with them.

I also try to use re-sellers that have high turnover, but they get their batteries in already filled, so who knows how long they've been in a warehouse somewhere?

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
in my local Lucas depot at least

[/ QUOTE ] Lucky you! Mine did not have one hence the purchase from Halfords.

[ QUOTE ]
This means they've had 6 months to sulphate, does it not

[/ QUOTE ] A battery should be ok for 6months and they are usually marked an indication as to when then should be charged if not fitted.

I deduced the one I bought from Halfords was about 2 months old and was in a good state of charge when checked. However it is always a good idea to check a battery when you buy it. I bought one, from a Lucas agent, for a small car some years ago that was almost flat. I took it back to be told that there "must be something wrong with the car" but as I had not fitted it they had to agree to change it. I phoned Lucas about it and when I quoted the battery number they "wondered where it had been all this time". That was on top of nearly being sold the wrong one. "All Fiesta batteries are the same" I was told..."Oh if you insist I'll look it up for you....Oh the one for a diesel version is different" Not a dealer I rushed back to.

 

[JimMcMillan]

Cliff,
you can buy 110a sealed for £75 wholesale if you are close to Cambuslang. Your charger should be set for sealed or be able to be reset.PM me if you want further details.
Jim

 

[cliffb]

Hi D, (or B!)
Thanks for the idea. I'll try it. But ideas from other posters (thanks to them BTW) are good. I have a Lucas down the road (huh 20 mls away! But that's my fault for living in the middle of now-where!), so I'll give them a try.
I don't have any problem sourcing 110 a/h ones, but a direct replacement is 140 a/h, and I'm loathe to downsize.
Only prob is... I'm still not 100% convinced that my existing battery is cream crakered. If I was only going to use the boat for the usual weekends and stuff I'd wait to see how it fares, but I'm setting off for the 4 month summer cruise in about ten days and don't want to be caught out on the wrong side of the Corryveccan with a failed battery!
BTW Good wishes to R and hope the new knee works OK. In future, tell her, not so much of the kneeling in front of her man (ooop's - I guess you could read that in more than one way!)
Cheers
C & D

 

[VicS]

Barden do a 135AH leisure battery see HERE