Possible battery fault????

[MARTIN KELSON]

Hi

I have a Varley Race battery 30 that was quite happy when i last drove the car in October!
These batteries are Gel & designed for race cars that dont have continuous use.

Was going to start the car last weekend so as usual i put it on its trickle charge, next day nothing & seemed flat so put it on a 'proper' car charger, next day again nothing & seemed flat. Removed the battery from car & left on charge, went back tonight, fitted & still nothing!

According to the manual that came with the battery at 12.48v its fully charged & ready to go & thats what its reading.
When i fit, turn on ignition the voltage reading on 'Stack' dash is only about 11.5v

My question is, as the car was fine & driven into garage when i tucked it up for the winter does this sound like a battery problem or car problem?
The battery was brand new when i purchased last April 2010.
Could it be a cell gone & thats why when fitted the voltage takes a dive?
Want to be 100% if its a battery problem before i try claiming warranty.

Any advise greatfully received.

Martin

[Adam]

What happens when you turn the key?

[MARTIN KELSON]

Not alot! :)

Engine does about half a turn then just the relays clicking as if battery was flat as a f*rt.

[brainsnova]

If you use jump leads and it fired up I'd say the battery is goosed.

[General Baxter]

when on charge, put a 5volt bulb across the terminals, and leave it for the night

[MARTIN KELSON]

when on charge, put a 5volt bulb across the terminals, and leave it for the night.

What will that do?


Going back tomorrow to see what happens if i try to start with a jumper pack.
Its pointing towards battery but just want to make sure :)

[General Baxter]

some gel type batterys, requre a small drain, to make them charge,

happens all the time at work, stupid ****ing £400 batterys lol

[C612DNM]

Dead cell. Battery FUBAR.

My best guess is that it has fully discharged over winter, once it's gone below 11.7v it's on the road to being ruined. When they drop to 9v, don't expect them to be any cop after.

Chuck it in the wheelie bin, get another one.
If you want another knackered one, I have a 40 here that I used to run on my V8 ASCAR.

Get one of these:
http://www.dmstech.co.uk/custom_industrial.htm#02
Set it to 11.7v and you won't get problems.

[MARTIN KELSON]

some gel type batterys, requre a small drain, to make them charge,

happens all the time at work, stupid ****ing £400 batterys lol

Worth a try..........................Cheers

Voltage is saying its charged & trickle charger was also saying charged. Worth a go though.

Ta

[MARTIN KELSON]

Dead cell. Battery FUBAR.

My best guess is that it has fully discharged over winter, once it's gone below 11.7v it's on the road to being ruined. When they drop to 9v, don't expect them to be any cop after.

Chuck it in the wheelie bin, get another one.
If you want another knackered one, I have a 40 here that I used to run on my V8 ASCAR.

Get one of these:
http://www.dmstech.co.uk/custom_industrial.htm#02
Set it to 11.7v and you won't get problems.

Cheers

I was thinking dead cell.
I usually leave or plug in every few weeks the trickle charger but over Christmas i have forgot as car isnt at my house.

Will try to get new one under warranty if this is the case!!!! :)

[Andy]

dont chuck it in the bin,you get £2 down the bob yard!!

[C612DNM]

Will try to get new one under warranty if this is the case!!!! :)

I like the cut o' ya jib young fella me lad!!

Tell them that it was disconnected, and you kept it above freezing "because you know thats what you should do". ;)

[Lambo]

If possible take the battery to a local garage and just ask them to drop test it . At work over the winter ive had quite a few mini's which have the gel batterys with problems . They will charge up and hold charge but with the multi meter on drop instantly to 4v ish when trying to crank over = dead cell .

The old fashioned drop testers show this up straight away . Make sure the battery is not connected ( which it wont be if you take it to the garage lol ) . Then just let them stick the drop tester accross the terminals and im sure it will instanly drop .

My fancy snap on battery tester has shown a few batterys to be ok where my old faithful drop tester has been spot on . :thumb:

hope this helps and i havent bored you to death .

[MARTIN KELSON]

Fault now rectified.

Battery was knackered & replacement FOC battery under warranty actually arrived today.

Martin