I changed my battery three months ago got a new Excide one from car parts for less (more amp hours than standard unit) been fine until two days ago when it went flat. When my cars is at idle or above the amp/volt meter is showing above 14 volts so alternator must be fine. Took out the battery & Put it on charge for 17 hours and still the indicator dot on the battery has not gone back to green. Does this mean I was sold a dud battery. Any ideas?
Battery AGAIN!
- Thread starter Nitro
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I would say its pointing towards a dud battery since your alternator seems to be ok. You will have a guarantee with your battery, so take it back and ask for a replacement. 
foursprungdugtechnique
Registered User
If you're friendly with VW parts you will get an 85Ah battery cheaper than at motor factors.... Audi parts on the other hand, well you know the rest. Audi were £117 + VAT 82Ah, VW
£75 + VAT 85Ah, you will get a VW sticker on it, but being as how both are next door to each other, it was worth popping next door
£75 + VAT 85Ah, you will get a VW sticker on it, but being as how both are next door to each other, it was worth popping next door
foursprungdugtechnique
Registered User
Blue_Thunder
Registered User
Also check your battery charger is rated highly enough to charge your larger capacity battery. I did something similar recently when I left my old 72Ah battery on charge for days and it didn't 'go green'. When I checked the charging voltage across the terminals, it was only something like 11.5V. At that point I realised you can get different capacity chargers (eg: suitable for use up to 2L engine size, etc.). The charger I had also had a boost function for helping to start the car. When I put it into that mode, the charging capacity shot up amd within a couple of hours the battery was fully charged.
Does sound like you have an electrical drain though. Might be something daft like a boot or door light not switching off when closed.
Does sound like you have an electrical drain though. Might be something daft like a boot or door light not switching off when closed.
foursprungdugtechnique
Registered User
I have a charger which is rated 15-130A and does 6 & 12v.
If anyone else (near Perth) is stuck for a charger. Charges al types of battery, gel, lead/acid etc Batium 7/12. Same as this https://www.spaldings.co.uk/Shop/ProductDetails.aspx?SubcatID=109&GroupID=9526
If anyone else (near Perth) is stuck for a charger. Charges al types of battery, gel, lead/acid etc Batium 7/12. Same as this https://www.spaldings.co.uk/Shop/ProductDetails.aspx?SubcatID=109&GroupID=9526
I have one of those 4W solar panels. Now yes we don't see the sun as much as we would like but in cloudless skies it gives out 17v which when connected to the load drops to 14.5v at battery terminals....
At times it is nice having an older car as the cigar lighter is live all the time...
At times it is nice having an older car as the cigar lighter is live all the time...
