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Post by lollygagger on Jan 8, 2018 14:14:28 GMT
I got one for my camper from Halfords. They're sold as a 30,000 start battery with a 4 year warrenty as opposed to their 20,000 start lead acid version with 3 year warrenty. It's about a year old and gradually goes flat. My boggo garage type charger claims 6.8A or 2A trickle, no mention of voltage. It doesn't work very well, it takes days to charge on 2A and on 8A the displays shows it as gradually more discharged! I measured the voltage while it was charging. On 2A it reads 12.7V, on 8A it reads 13V, both gradually but slowly rising. I read on net that calcium batteries like 14.8v to prevent stratification and early demise. Neither my charger, or more importantly my alternator (13.7v) provide this. I also read many tales of woe concerning Halfords calcium batteries coming to ann early demise. What to do? Imagine trying to argue all that with a halfords bod, if I can get the bugger started to get there.  |
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Post by peterboat on Jan 8, 2018 19:06:49 GMT
Its made for a modern charging system with smart charging starts of at 14.7 ish drops to 13.7 and goes into float at 13.1-2. The 14.7 can be 15.2 for a couple of minutes Jags have had this system for yonks older cars dont
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Post by Telemachus on Jan 8, 2018 21:40:02 GMT
What to do? get a charger that does the job required - ie charge at 14.8v or whatever (according to temperature). Get an alternator that charges at at least 14.4v, preferably more. Or to do it properly get an alternator controller (sterling, adverc etc). If you only charge it at 13.7v it will sulphate rapidly.
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Post by peterboat on Jan 9, 2018 0:04:57 GMT
I wonder what camper you have? is it a VW?
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Post by lollygagger on Jan 9, 2018 9:09:13 GMT
I wonder what camper you have? is it a VW? Yes, a 70's one. The charging system is a bit basic. |
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Post by Telemachus on Jan 9, 2018 9:09:59 GMT
I wonder what camper you have? is it a VW? Yes, a 70's one. The charging system is a bit basic. But probably not hard to modernise the alternator. Is it an alternator or a dynamo? |
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Post by lollygagger on Jan 9, 2018 9:26:41 GMT
What to do? get a charger that does the job required - ie charge at 14.8v or whatever (according to temperature). Get an alternator that charges at at least 14.4v, preferably more. Or to do it properly get an alternator controller (sterling, adverc etc). If you only charge it at 13.7v it will sulphate rapidly. I think it would be cheaper to go back to Halfords and if necessary kick up a stink with the aim of leaving with a more suitable old style lead acid battery instead. |
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Post by lollygagger on Jan 9, 2018 9:27:41 GMT
Yes, a 70's one. The charging system is a bit basic. But probably not hard to modernise the alternator. Is it an alternator or a dynamo? Alternator, replaced about a year ago. |
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Post by lollygagger on Jan 9, 2018 9:30:30 GMT
This battery only does starting, everything else including courtesy lights and radio are on a separate battery with a solar panel and a modern charger built in. I'd use that to recharge the starter battery but have nowhere to plug it into 240v.
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Post by lollygagger on Jan 9, 2018 9:33:09 GMT
It's now been on (2A) charge for almost 24 hours, the indicator still shows white (discharged), though the charger thinks it's nearly charged.
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Post by lollygagger on Jan 9, 2018 9:38:01 GMT
Yes, a 70's one. The charging system is a bit basic. But probably not hard to modernise the alternator. Is it an alternator or a dynamo? Perhaps you are thinking I could change the voltage regulator? I wondered about that as it's separate from the alternator. |
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Post by Telemachus on Jan 9, 2018 10:55:01 GMT
But probably not hard to modernise the alternator. Is it an alternator or a dynamo? Perhaps you are thinking I could change the voltage regulator? I wondered about that as it's separate from the alternator. Yes, why not do that.
If you are talking about the "magic eye" in the battery, I wouldn't pay too much attention to that. If you are charging at say 14.4v and the current has fallen right off to an amp or so, it is fully charged.
Even if you get a different battery, car batteries all have some calcium in them these days and so like a charge voltage of at least 14.4. If your alternator only gets to 13.7v you are going to shorten the battery life.
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Post by lollygagger on Jan 9, 2018 12:24:44 GMT
Perhaps you are thinking I could change the voltage regulator? I wondered about that as it's separate from the alternator. Yes, why not do that.
If you are talking about the "magic eye" in the battery, I wouldn't pay too much attention to that. If you are charging at say 14.4v and the current has fallen right off to an amp or so, it is fully charged.
Even if you get a different battery, car batteries all have some calcium in them these days and so like a charge voltage of at least 14.4. If your alternator only gets to 13.7v you are going to shorten the battery life.
My mistake, it charges under load at 14.1v, but that's still not great is it? I might get another solar panel and controller. I need another panel anyway and if I had 2 controllers I can use both on leisure in the summer and one on starter in the winter. |
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