When to change battery

[Kb27]

I tend to change battery base on mileage leh... not too sure whether its correct leh...

 

I believe the lead-acid battery, like any others is based on the number of cycles.

That is, how many times you can crank start.

 

Mileage may be a good gauge if you crank once only and drive average distance.

But if your drive is a short one, then you do more cranks per the fixed mileage, and that shortens battery life.

 

Heat is a major problem, it kills the battery twice as fast.

Those who live in northern US usually have battery life approaching 10 yrs, while the southern states is more like us, about 2 yrs+

 

Hi KB

My battery is more than 2 yrs, let say bought spare battery and keep

inside boots packaging unopened can damage the battery due to weather

condition.

 

 

You can keep spare battery but it needs to be charged periodically.

 

Battery has internal resistance and leakage, even when not connected to anything.

 

So the recommendation is to charge the battery every 3 months or so to full-charge.

Otherwise the self-leakage which cause sulphation will eventually kill the battery, even when sitting on the shelf.

 

That's also the reason why some people asked about how long the battery is sitting on the shelf.

They tell you not to buy those.

But actually, as long as the battery is kept in a fully-charged state, it doesn't go bad.

It only goes bad when it's sitting on the shelf too long without being recharged periodically.

Edited February 20, 2015 by Kb27

[Azzurro]

I tend to change battery base on mileage leh... not too sure whether its correct leh...

Dont worry about right or wrong. As long you never have to be rescued for baterry problem, to me you are doing it right.

[TVT]

I tend to change battery base on mileage leh... not too sure whether its correct leh...

 

Then at what mileage do you change your car battery leh ?

 

[TVT]

You can keep spare battery but it needs to be charged periodically.

 

 

Bro, how does such battery (not installed in a car) gets charged periodically? What equipment is needed ?

 

Thanks.

[flashbang]

What are the signs that battery is weakening and going to fail soon?

[Adrianli]

What are the signs that battery is weakening and going to fail soon?

 

When it takes more than once to crank start the engine.

[thepirate]

What are the signs that battery is weakening and going to fail soon?

Just start the engine on first attempt and if no response and have to start the engine again and the engine working on 2nd attempt, it is early sign of battery being "weak".

[Kb27]

 

Bro, how does such battery (not installed in a car) gets charged periodically? What equipment is needed ?

 

Thanks.

 

You need a battery charger. It plugs into AC and output between 13.5 to 14.5V dc.

 

They are many types. Those automatic type have algorithm to control voltage and current and they stopped charging once the battery is considered fully-charged.

Many such brands are available, from a cheap 1A charger ($50) from Sim Lim to more expensive Ctek.

 

You can also use DC power supply, (between 13.5 to 15V dc), but you need to control the charging time manually.

Cheap power supplies are available. I'm also using this:

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Free-shipping-Wholesale-precision-Compact-Digital-Adjustable-DC-Power-Supply-OVP-OCP-OTP-low-power-32V5A/328763_1668592085.html?s=p

[Kb27]

What are the signs that battery is weakening and going to fail soon?

 

You might not feel the car "slow to crank".

 

Your best bet is to go to a shop with a cca tester and have it checked.

Example, your battery spec is 500 cca (SAE), if it's tested at less than 75%, that is around 350 cca or less, it's time to change.

Many people use battery until they get stuck, unaware the cca is already very bad.

 

Otherwise, use 2 yrs as an average time to change battery.

[TVT]

 

You need a battery charger. It plugs into AC and output between 13.5 to 14.5V dc.

 

They are many types. Those automatic type have algorithm to control voltage and current and they stopped charging once the battery is considered fully-charged.

Many such brands are available, from a cheap 1A charger ($50) from Sim Lim to more expensive Ctek.

 

You can also use DC power supply, (between 13.5 to 15V dc), but you need to control the charging time manually.

Cheap power supplies are available. I'm also using this:

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Free-shipping-Wholesale-precision-Compact-Digital-Adjustable-DC-Power-Supply-OVP-OCP-OTP-low-power-32V5A/328763_1668592085.html?s=p

 

Then each charge is for how long ?

[Divers]

For push start button, if weak battery, will have tell tale sign also. Same like crank method. Push start a few times then start. If that happens, quickly go to WS to test battery condition or change battery. Do not off the car engine cos it might not start again.

 

Luckily the battery die while at my house carpark.

[Kb27]

 

Then each charge is for how long ?

 

If you use automatic charger, there are indicators of when it's finished.

 

If you use manual charger or dc power supply, it depends.

Usually most people charge until (absorption) current is near to zero.

Some website says between 1 to 3%

So if you have a 100AH battery, when the charging current drops to 1A (1%), it's considered fully-charged.

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/charging_with_a_power_supply

 

The correct method is to charge until specific gravity of battery no longer rises.

But that requires you to have a hydrometer and is more inconvenient.

 

Automatic chargers are known to be on the safe side. So they tend to stop charging before the battery is really "full".

[Tigershark1976]

 

4 yrs is amazing.. how did u do that?

 

Nothing... just normal drive.

[Yeobh]

 

Then each charge is for how long ?

 

Attached is taken from a battery charger user booklet for your perusal. Hope this helps.

Edited February 24, 2015 by Yeobh

[Spinelli_ck]

attached's a diagram depicting the various stages of charging and the estimated time for each stage using a 5A CTEK charger.

CTEK Battery Charger.pdf

[24hrsbatteryservices]

best is to change it every 2 years in Singapore car battery doesn't last more den 2 years due to the weather.

 

if you need any replacement you can look for me .

 

as a mobile recovery we don't have a physical shop so we doesn't have much overhead we will try to give our best price for our customers.

 

cheers

 

http://www.mycarforum.com/topic/2698808-24-hr-car-battery-service-car-battery-replacement/

Edited May 13, 2015 by 24hrsbatteryservices

[JudeL]

Best way is to take a preventive stance and measure your battery's EMF using a multimeter. If the EMF hovers and start to dip below 12V, then it is time to shop for a new one.

The best check for a battery is to do a CCA check with a meter that can perform that check.

 

I've seen batts with high volt but low CCA and shows "Bad & Replace" on meter checks

 

I always drive till need to change, and I find that you pay for what you get, sometimes higher price is worth it as it lasts longer. I use this doorstep service so even drive till flat also they can come change for you. https://fastfix.com.sg/ 

 

No point changing some unknown brand or bad brands that sometimes lasts only 6-8 months like Globatt or Drive. Stick with good brands like Amaron Bosch or Hoppecke (very good German batt!)

 

I do some van rentals so i hate to get calls saying "eh your van cannot start!"

Edited October 25, 2018 by JudeL

[Lala81]

My Battery just went flat today in my home carpark. promptly changed by one of our forummers.

Punctual. came on agreed time.

 

Plugged in a secondary battery so that I won't lose my audio settings.

 

One option if u just need a battery change service.