| Author |
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Jeff Strickland
Guest
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 Posted:
Tue Nov 01, 2005 3:18 am Post subject:
Re: battery testing |
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"Bruce L. Bergman" <blPYTHONbergman@earthlink.invalid> wrote in message
news:ln5am1t07qgdc3384lerhdvt6162u7ql5f@4ax.com...
| Quote: | On Sat, 29 Oct 2005 17:45:55 -0500, Rob wrote:
I chose to replace the battery regardless whether it or the starter
was the problem because it was rated a 24 month battery whose age was
about 22 months old and we are getting into winter months now. If I'm
wrong, I'll probably end up replacing the starter but I don't regret
replacing the battery.
Now put it on the calendar to top off the battery with distilled
water every four to six months, and you'll get some extra life out of
this battery before you get the first 'slow crank' warning. You might
have to slit the top sticker on the battery and/or pry out the cell
top caps with a small screwdriver, but you /can/ get in.
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I'm not sure that I'd suggest that somebody attempt to pry the top off of a
battery. I've seen a few where the top comes off with a moderate amount of
muscle applied to an unwilling cover, but most "maintenance free" batteries
actually are maintenance free.
My suggestion is to CAREFULLY -- taking particular care on the FULLY part --
inspect the battery to find out if the top can come off. If you can't get it
off with a screwdriver, then it won't come off. Personally, I would buy a
battery from a place where they will provide the services described if the
service can even be performed.
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Ray O
Guest
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| Posted:
Tue Nov 01, 2005 4:05 am Post subject:
Re: battery testing |
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<Rob> wrote in message news:7vjbm15j320qjd05u2s2egfckb6b3e3ujg@4ax.com...
| Quote: | On Sun, 30 Oct 2005 23:27:12 -0600, "Ray O"
rokigawa@tristarassociatesDOT.com> wrote:
Rob> wrote in message news:vd5bm19qo2m9da8j93cibqa9pt4j7e4dek@4ax.com...
On Sun, 30 Oct 2005 19:05:32 GMT, Bruce L. Bergman
blPYTHONbergman@earthlink.invalid> wrote:
On Sat, 29 Oct 2005 17:45:55 -0500, Rob wrote:
I chose to replace the battery regardless whether it or the starter
was the problem because it was rated a 24 month battery whose age was
about 22 months old and we are getting into winter months now. If I'm
wrong, I'll probably end up replacing the starter but I don't regret
replacing the battery.
Now put it on the calendar to top off the battery with distilled
water every four to six months, and you'll get some extra life out of
this battery before you get the first 'slow crank' warning. You might
have to slit the top sticker on the battery and/or pry out the cell
top caps with a small screwdriver, but you /can/ get in.
(Wear gloves and splash goggles, of course, and have lots of baking
soda and fresh running water readily available. Because car batteries
go BOOM! in your face on rare occasions, and most people consider two
working eyeballs as an important part of their life....)
"Maintenance Free" is just one of those lies that makes a 24-month
battery only last 24 months. They use less water, but not zero.
--<< Bruce >>--
Yeah, I learned that maintenance free isn't some time ago. I also
didn't realize that distilled water is still the way to go. I
remember doing that in the 70's but thought now it wasn't that
important so I just used tap water. Back then, I had a filter on top
of a container to make distilled water. Not sure how to get distilled
water now. Is it still a DIY job with a filter/container or do you
have to buy distilled water and where if so?
Those filter kits for drinking water do not make distilled water. To
distill a liquid is to heat it until it evaporates and the trapping the
vapor so it condenses back to liquid form. Distilling water gets rid of
minerals in the water. It is the minerals in the water that is harmful to
your battery and clog up steam irons.
You can purchase distilled water at a grocery store.
Thanks for the info.
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You're welcome!
--
Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply |
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Guest
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| Posted:
Sun Nov 06, 2005 3:03 am Post subject:
Re: battery testing |
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On Sat, 29 Oct 2005 14:04:50 -0500, Rob wrote:
| Quote: | Just want other opinions about battery testing. I've got a cheap
battery (warranteed for 2 years and is almost 2 years old in age) in a
' 92 Corolla and on some of the cold mornings now, the car almost
didn't turn over on the first try (not normal) but did on second try.
My wife and I concluded it was most likely the battery. Of course
when I took it to Autozone, they said it tested ok (so no trade in
value for it) but I decided to replace it since it was near end of
its life and it was getting into winter weather. Last time I
suspected battery with similar symptons, I was right. The only other
thought now is if it's not battery, maybe the starter. Sympton was
one first try, when you turn the key, no engine sound but on second
try, all is normal. This happened so far maybe 3 times this week
(this week was our first cold mornings about 45 degrees F ) and car
sitting for about 11 hours outside. Car is otherwise in very good
shape and very dependable. I'm looking forward to this week in the
morning to see if all is well or not.
How reliable have you found these auto part stores battery tests?
|
Now for an update:
Apparently those tests aren't too good even tho it looked like heavy
duty equipment to test them. I feel fairly confident now (about 1
week later) in saying it was the battery because after about 18 starts
or more (at least 6 or more with 12 hours between starts) not once has
the car acted up as before.
Lesson to be learned trust your past experiences and gut instinct and
not necessarily their equipment . Now just a quick thought (not sure
if this applies in my case but...) came to my mind, if they test it as
good, they don't have to prorate the battery so that saves them
money.... do I smell a conflict of interest here???
And thanks to all who replied.
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Guest
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| Posted:
Fri Nov 18, 2005 7:50 pm Post subject:
Re: battery testing |
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On Sat, 05 Nov 2005 15:03:48 -0600, Rob wrote:
| Quote: | On Sat, 29 Oct 2005 14:04:50 -0500, Rob wrote:
Just want other opinions about battery testing. I've got a cheap
battery (warranteed for 2 years and is almost 2 years old in age) in a
' 92 Corolla and on some of the cold mornings now, the car almost
didn't turn over on the first try (not normal) but did on second try.
My wife and I concluded it was most likely the battery. Of course
when I took it to Autozone, they said it tested ok (so no trade in
value for it) but I decided to replace it since it was near end of
its life and it was getting into winter weather. Last time I
suspected battery with similar symptons, I was right. The only other
thought now is if it's not battery, maybe the starter. Sympton was
one first try, when you turn the key, no engine sound but on second
try, all is normal. This happened so far maybe 3 times this week
(this week was our first cold mornings about 45 degrees F ) and car
sitting for about 11 hours outside. Car is otherwise in very good
shape and very dependable. I'm looking forward to this week in the
morning to see if all is well or not.
How reliable have you found these auto part stores battery tests?
Now for an update:
Apparently those tests aren't too good even tho it looked like heavy
duty equipment to test them. I feel fairly confident now (about 1
week later) in saying it was the battery because after about 18 starts
or more (at least 6 or more with 12 hours between starts) not once has
the car acted up as before.
Lesson to be learned trust your past experiences and gut instinct and
not necessarily their equipment . Now just a quick thought (not sure
if this applies in my case but...) came to my mind, if they test it as
good, they don't have to prorate the battery so that saves them
money.... do I smell a conflict of interest here???
And thanks to all who replied.
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** UPDATE 2 **
Just to complicate this a bit further, about 4 days ago the car was
acting up again after working fine for 1 to 2 weeks, similar to
earlier symptons so I decided to have my mechanic look at it. He said
it was the loose positive battery terminal (I told him it was not
tight). He further told me all relays were good, starter was fine and
alternator was fine. So far including 2 early morning (cold below 40
F at least for south texas) starts, it kicked off on first try. So
maybe old battery was okay but I don't regret changing it still. It
was at its end of warranteed life and better I did it in warmer
weather than cold weather if you know what I mean. I can remember
when I lived in NY (in my younger days) and having to do some
maintenance on my car in the cold when my fingers were getting numb.
Not a pleasant experience. |
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