Is this New Battery Knackered?

[brettgilbert77]

I was having starting issues and thought my battery was dead. Bought a new one from Halfrauds for convenience. I didn't get the one they were trying to sell me as it was tiny and the terminals were the wrong way round I think. I bough a different one that they sell that has terminals the right way round (or rather wrong way) and had a larger 700amp starting power.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_264229_langId_-1_categoryId_165762#tab1

The Terrano's still sitting outside waiting for me to replace the starter motor, but today wouldn't unlock on the remote. I figured the battery had run down somehow so whipped it out to put on charge.

Strangely my smart charger seems to show this is fully charged, but only putting out 6V. I'm pretty sure I need to to be 12V+, or have I missed something?

My old battery is fine anyway, so was thinking I should just return this one. Had considered twin battery set-up, but no point if their battery's knackered.

 

[AlexD333]

Yes must be 12v :thumb2

Was the new battery charged or did you pick it off the shelf?

 

[brettgilbert77]

Yes must be 12v :thumb2

Was the new battery charged or did you pick it off the shelf?

Off the shelf and chucked it straight in. I'd managed to flatten my battery (or so I thought) after lots of cranking while I had a fuel issue.

Bought this battery, chucked it in and still same result, slow/no cranking. Figured the starter motor had died so would need to replace it.

Wondering now if it might start when I charge the old battery up, would be great as I don't really want to spend £100 on a new starter, plus I can't get the darned thing out. I can see the bolts, but getting any kinda spanner or socket on them's a nightmare. might need to buy some ratchet ring spanners.

 

[RobN]

Rule of thumb

Rough figures from memory (not as good as it was), depends on your meter, what is connected, type of battery etc.

Very little load, not charging.
Under 10v - gone on.
10.5 to 11.8v - dodgy, may charge.
12.3 to 12.7v :thumb2

On alternator.
13.5 to 14.2 :thumbs

Depending on charger if reading is 6v then cells totally US, system will not get a current flow and may think battery is charged.

Engine off, switch on main beam, if lamps start bright then quickly dim to off the battery is US.

If battery is over 3 yo for a cheap one or over 5 yo for upmarket it is probably gone on. I know some batteries last longer and I have one that still starts my combine harvester after 63 years :lol

Extra, have you cleaned the terminals esp earth on your starter?

 

[brettgilbert77]

If battery is over 3 yo for a cheap one or over 5 yo for upmarket it is probably gone on. I know some batteries last longer and I have one that still starts my combine harvester after 63 years :lol

Extra, have you cleaned the terminals esp earth on your starter?

This battery is only 2 weeks old, so must be something seriously wrong with it, don't need it anyway, so will get £110 refund. Might need to use that for a replacement starter.

Haven't tried cleaning the terminals, will get on with that. My cables are also pretty knackered where they meet the battery clamps. Gonna replace them when I get the chance too, might not be able to carry as many amps as required. Was thinking of getting heavy duty jump cables and robbing the wires as cheaper than buying cable, unless there's a somewhere to buy decent cable from cheaply.

 

[AlexD333]

This battery is only 2 weeks old, so must be something seriously wrong with it, don't need it anyway, so will get £110 refund. Might need to use that for a replacement starter.

Haven't tried cleaning the terminals, will get on with that. My cables are also pretty knackered where they meet the battery clamps. Gonna replace them when I get the chance too, might not be able to carry as many amps as required. Was thinking of getting heavy duty jump cables and robbing the wires as cheaper than buying cable, unless there's a somewhere to buy decent cable from cheaply.

Do the test rick told me to do. Wait till dark. Put the headlight on, then crank, if the headlights stay brightish the starter is knackered. If the lights instantly go very dim you have a naff battery or terminal wires :thumb2

 

[AlexD333]

Here we go, this was my test. Identified cruddy battery.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WGWQN5yD5-w

 

[micktheshed]

On every car I've owned (for last 45y ish) I have always fitted an extra earth return cable from the starter bolt to the battery earth.
This is a tip I was given by an old garage owner (the owner was old don't know about the garage LOL). It ensures an easy return path rather than relying on connections via the car's steel bodywork & makes the batteries job that much easier.
Originally it was recommended to reduce body rust on +earth cars. Can't do any harm & potentially has big benefits, & it‘s cheap.
It's a bit of a job on the Terrano but more awkward than difficult.

 

[rustic]

On every car I've owned (for last 45y ish) I have always fitted an extra earth return cable from the starter bolt to the battery earth.

What size cable, I would have thought a minimum of 25 mm2:nenau
Any idea of total length? over 2m I would guess:nenau