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Topic: A Million Battery Questions

sadkate

22/2/2016 at 1:34pm
Location: Linlithgow West Lothian
Outfit: The Yorkshire Diamond!

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Thank you in advance if you can hello with any of these!

I need to replace the battery in the van I just bought as it's gubbed. I've topped it up and so on. It took enough charge to switch on the little halogen spots briefly then showed red light on the switch again.

1. Why would a battery leak? There was a puddle of acid in the tray. The plugs were all screwed in properly. Last person spilled it testing/topping up and just didn't clean up (no wonder) perhaps? It doesn't look damaged or anything. Do they normally leak?

2. So should I get a sealed one this time? (I've ruined two pairs of trousers humping the last one around! Lesson learned...) The van is in storage with no power access so I will need to bring it home to charge it in the winter, maybe in between times. Is there any downside to a sealed one? I have a smart charger that can do both types. Does the acid get used up? Where does it go?

3. We intend to get a mover. Should I invest in a high MaH one then?

4. With a mover would I always need to be sure to charge the battery before I left home?

5. Size. Are leisure batteries all the same size, even if different amps? How do I check the size?

6. Can I (should I) fit quick release claps to the van's connection wires to save faffing when I take it out?

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Kate

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freeatlast

22/2/2016 at 5:54pm
Location: Teesside
Outfit: Mitsubishi ASX4

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1. Hmmm it shouldn't, unless its been topped up too much or has a cracked case.
2. If you've ruined 2 pairs of trousers, I would suggest you've over-filled it. The electrolyte should only just cover the plates inside.
3. Not really necessary, depends on your other use. If you rely on the battery over a weekend for lighting Tv etc, then yes, otherwise no. A motor mover uses about 20 amps/hour so you should get several hours use out of an 85ah battery.
4. yes its wise to do so, but depends on how much it was used last time out, and how long the drive back was to charge the battery.
5. NO! measure the internal size of your locker, usually the problem is front to back.
6. Yes. get them from a caravan dealer's shop.

Paul_B

22/2/2016 at 7:42pm
Location: Yorkshire
Outfit: Car & Caravan

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Was the cells very low when you topped them up?, it sounds like you've a cell down which makes the 12v battery into a 10v(its usually the end ones that go)

The charger then sees the 10v and keeps charging to get it back up to 12v, this boils the battery and why acid is spilled out.

The figures are examples, they charger will actually be trying to get the battery up 13.8v

naturlist123

22/2/2016 at 9:54pm
Location: Southport
Outfit: Adria Adora Premium Yeti 4x4 run about

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Most batteries that can be topped up have a degassing vent on the side and if you over fill you can blow your zig unit.
If it is a top up type you should have a vent pipe venting to the underside of the van.

Most moter mover manufactures recommend you use no less than a 85AH battery I always use a 110AH for all my vans past and present.

The cheaper the battery the shorter and thinner the plates the less life.

There are some good batteries on the market some specialise in leisure batteries like Numax just to mention one.
There are also some very expensive american ones on the market which you dont need and usually wont fit in your battery box unless you have a big five wheeler or motor home

sadkate

23/2/2016 at 8:29am
Location: Linlithgow West Lothian
Outfit: The Yorkshire Diamond!

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Thank you!

So the battery leakage/spillage was there in the tray when I got the can home after buying. I subsequently took it home to check it and top it up so I didn't do the spilling.

However the levels were quite low (and I recon I've topped them up a bit high). Sounds like it might have been boiled before then? I didn't spot a vent in the van (wasn't looking for that though) but there is this plastic tray.

One more Q. The rubber seal on the battery locker door has been, it looks like, corroded a bit, or damaged at least. Is that an important thing to repair or if locks closed OK can I leave it for now?

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Kate

Ye're no here tae enjoy yersel.

sadkate

23/2/2016 at 8:31am
Location: Linlithgow West Lothian
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The trousers were a result of me being an idiot and lifting a battery that had been sitting in a puddle of its own spillage without making sure it was really clean. Doh. Wondered if sealed would be a good buy to avoid this though as I don't have twin electric on car so think I'll be charging at home a fair bit.

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Kate

Ye're no here tae enjoy yersel.

Grampian91

25/2/2016 at 10:58pm
Location: Midlands
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If teh battery went flat during the cold spell it may have frozen and cracked.

A charged battery will resist freezing until much lower temperatures.

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