2nd opinion, are my batteries stuffed?

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wjw
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2nd opinion, are my batteries stuffed?

Post by wjw »

Hi Guys,

I have had to jump start the 80 quite a few times over the last 3 weeks. Over the last 6 months both batteries have dropped to 7 volts (as a pair) 4 times. 3 due to kids leaving interior lights on and once due to a seized starter motor.

When parked up, I get a voltage drop of about .4 Volts every 12 hours. I don't have a multi-meter that I can put inline to measure, so this is the best I have for now.

When the engine is at idle I get between 13.8 and 14.2 Volts depending if I measure directly on the batteries or look at the digital gauge I have in the dash.

The batteries were in the truck when I bought it, so will be at least 8 years old.

Before I bite the bullet and spend $800 odd on new batteries, is there anything else I should check?

Thanks,

Bill
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mudtroll
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Re: 2nd opinion, are my batteries stuffed?

Post by mudtroll »

No expert but I'd thought 8 years of battery life was very good, new battery time.
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Taz
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Re: 2nd opinion, are my batteries stuffed?

Post by Taz »

Give them a good long charge if you haven't already with a decent charger and then check the voltage under load for a drop. It's not enough to use the vehicle to charge them even if you go for a decent hoon in my own experience.
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sirLachlan
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Re: 2nd opinion, are my batteries stuffed?

Post by sirLachlan »

Yea you've done well having them last that long .
You'll prolly get the better part off 100 dollars at the scrappy for your current ones aswell
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wjw
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Re: 2nd opinion, are my batteries stuffed?

Post by wjw »

Taz wrote:Give them a good long charge if you haven't already with a decent charger and then check the voltage under load for a drop. It's not enough to use the vehicle to charge them even if you go for a decent hoon in my own experience.
I have a proper 10 amp conditioning charger, fully conditioned both (disconnected from the truck) after the last dead flat, took over 12 hours for each battery.

Looks like I need to go shopping.
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SMOKEY
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Re: 2nd opinion, are my batteries stuffed?

Post by SMOKEY »

Bill ---- aren't you a POM or do you have Scottish ancestry ??????, Get those short arms into the bottom of your long pockets and buy NEW ONES, with standard lead acid batteries any thing over three years is a bonus now days. Mine are six years and I would say next winter I will be due ------ for Dollars :( :( .. ----- I'm still looking for the Crank Handle hole.

FITZY.
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wjw
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Re: 2nd opinion, are my batteries stuffed?

Post by wjw »

SMOKEY wrote:Bill ---- aren't you a POM or do you have Scottish ancestry ??????, Get those short arms into the bottom of your long pockets and buy NEW ONES, with standard lead acid batteries any thing over three years is a bonus now days. Mine are six years and I would say next winter I will be due ------ for Dollars :( :( .. ----- I'm still looking for the Crank Handle hole.

FITZY.
Yea I think I need a crank handle.....
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wjw
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Re: 2nd opinion, are my batteries stuffed?

Post by wjw »

anyone got any suggestions other than

https://www.centurybatteries.co.nz/reso ... /200008415

Which are the same as my existing ones.
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wjw
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Re: 2nd opinion, are my batteries stuffed?

Post by wjw »

Didn’t notice this before, but one of the batteries has a cracked casing
image.jpg
Have bought these
image.jpg
810 CCA, biggest I could find without spending a fortune.
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Taz
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Re: 2nd opinion, are my batteries stuffed?

Post by Taz »

wjw wrote:
Taz wrote:Give them a good long charge if you haven't already with a decent charger and then check the voltage under load for a drop. It's not enough to use the vehicle to charge them even if you go for a decent hoon in my own experience.
I have a proper 10 amp conditioning charger, fully conditioned both (disconnected from the truck) after the last dead flat, took over 12 hours for each battery.

Looks like I need to go shopping.
Stink one.
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