Trickle Chargers

Stingray

CCCUK Member
A "good" battery, fully charged should show around 12.6 volts at room temperature after it's been left to stand for a few hours. (i.e. there's no point measuring voltage immediately after the car's been driven or the battery's just come off a charger.)

Anything under 12.4v (which is about 50% knackered) and the battery is losing its grip.

11.8v is well knackered.
 

plastic orange

CCCUK Member
A "good" battery, fully charged should show around 12.6 volts at room temperature after it's been left to stand for a few hours. (i.e. there's no point measuring voltage immediately after the car's been driven or the battery's just come off a charger.)

Anything under 12.4v (which is about 50% knackered) and the battery is losing its grip.

11.8v is well knackered.
Yes, that's my thoughts too, but my car has a supposedly new battery fitted recently by the guy I bought it from. My mate who owned a C5 for over 20 years said he always kept his on a trickle charger due to current drain by alarms and other systems. It's quite a small battery that's fitted.

Pete
 

plastic orange

CCCUK Member
I've just measured voltage on my cars for interest sake with surprising results - 3 Morris minors (not being used at present)12.8, 12.4 and 12.5, Corvette 12.48, my wife's diesel seat ateca - 12.1 (used daily).

Pete
 

Chuffer

CCCUK regional rep
Yes, that's my thoughts too, but my car has a supposedly new battery fitted recently by the guy I bought it from. My mate who owned a C5 for over 20 years said he always kept his on a trickle charger due to current drain by alarms and other systems. It's quite a small battery that's fitted.

Pete
I had a brand new battery on my Jeep die after only three months of regular use . Got a replacement under warrenty . You can sometimes get a duffer .
 

plastic orange

CCCUK Member
I had a brand new battery on my Jeep die after only three months of regular use . Got a replacement under warrenty . You can sometimes get a duffer .
I bought 2 expensive batteries for my motor bikes - 1 lasted 13 months and died totally, the other was fine. I'd never buy a motobat make again. Warranty in uk was 1 year so lucked out, in the US it was 2.

Pete
 

Chuffer

CCCUK regional rep
I bought 2 expensive batteries for my motor bikes - 1 lasted 13 months and died totally, the other was fine. I'd never buy a motobat make again. Warranty in uk was 1 year so lucked out, in the US it was 2.

Pete
This was an expensive Bosch to crank over the V8 Hemi , it came with a 5 year warrenty . Nearly everything you buy is pants these these days and no good relying on `quality known brand names ` anymore . ☹️
 

plastic orange

CCCUK Member
I had an expensive Bosch one replaced under warranty too on my Lexus. One of my Minor batteries is over 20 years old and still working great.

Pete
 

plastic orange

CCCUK Member
An update on the solar charger - I don't think it's doing the job. However, I don't think the battery is great despite it being relatively new. I'll see how it goes and possibly get a new one if all else fails. I charged it up to 12.9 v yesterday and I heard it bubbling despite my charger only being rated at 5 amps, but I'd turned it down to lower setting of around 2 - 3.

Pete
 

Stingray

CCCUK Member
If the battery has been standing since yesterday what's the voltage today? Even if you test it in the car (as opposed to indoors at room temperature) the weather's so mild you should get a sensible indication of its condition.

The only true test of battery performance is to get a high current drain test at your local battery specialist. Amongst others, Halfords say they offer free battery testing.
 

plastic orange

CCCUK Member
It's too windy up here again today to even open the bonnet lol. Yes, I think I'll get a test at my mate's garage to see what battery condition is actually like.

Pete
 
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