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maintenace free battery..


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#1
clorox

Posted 01 October 2006 - 02:09 PM

clorox

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hello

how to know if the the maintenance free battery is going to be flat/out
of service?

thank u

#2
youfa77

Posted 01 October 2006 - 02:30 PM

youfa77

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Some of the maintenance free battery have indicator to indicate the life
span of the battery.

To know the life span of the battery, juz measure the voltage of the
battery when starting the car. If the voltage drop too low from the
normal voltage, meaning tat the battery is going to give way soon.

Rdgs.

#3
clorox

Posted 01 October 2006 - 03:38 PM

clorox

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thank u youfa

so this mean a trip to workshop to do the voltage test..

#4
Newkelisa

Posted 02 October 2006 - 10:13 PM

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actually to be precise measuring the voltage across the battery indicates
the state of charge of the battery (fully charged, partially charged vs
discharged). The condition or health or life of the battery is measured by
testing the battery water/electrolyte itself.



#5
spongebob

Posted 07 October 2006 - 03:58 PM

spongebob

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wif maintenance free battery where got to check the electrolyte?

#6
Newkelisa

Posted 08 October 2006 - 06:42 AM

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"wif maintenance free battery where got to check the electrolyte"

yup .. that's why I prefer the normal unsealed batteries. if you're really
serious in looking after ur battery don't get a maintenance free one. I can
easily get 3 to 4 years from a normal battery.

#7
Billykid

Posted 09 October 2006 - 01:12 AM

Billykid

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Yeah, you can't check MF(Sealed) battery's with hydrometer, even if you
use voltmeter to check a MF battery, you won't get accurate reading ,as
most MF battery has a surface charge which can mislead the voltmeter, and
many mechanics are not awared of that.

If you were in the vocasional school or technical institution..etc in the
70s and 80s, you would be taught to test batteries with voltmeter or
hydrometer. Then load testing came into the picture. These methods are
actually old school but they are still widely being used in Malaysia
because they are simple to read, and cheap(RM20-200).

Technology is surging every second, in modern days, static test and
dynamic test are known to be the most accurate method in testing battery
condition, by analysing the internal resistant, alternator charging,
impedence pulse, peak to peak voltage, simulated load voltage and a lot
more before giving out result in seconds, it may even tell your battery
life in %,terminal corrosive,shorted cell, jumpstart caution, alternator
and starter conditions..etc. Unfortuantely in Malaysia, the testers(cost
RM4-6K) are mostly used by batteries manufacturers (for warranty claim
and QC purposes), and handful of workshops and service centers who
believe in keeping pace with technologies.

Can't blame the rest, Malaysia boleh mah!!


#8
jhlk99

Posted 09 October 2006 - 08:50 AM

jhlk99

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If you want to use the voltmeter but don't want surface charge to confuse
the reading then leave the battery standing overnight or switch on the
headlights for three minutes (then switch it off) before measuring.

You must do this if the alternator has been charging the battery any time
in the last 12 hours or the voltmeter reading will be inflated and you
won't get a correct assessment of the state of charge of the battery.

Jonathan

#9
fkmfkm

Posted 09 October 2006 - 09:12 AM

fkmfkm

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I thought MF battery already comes with hydrometer ?... but the problem is
on one cell only lah..

#10
youfa77

Posted 09 October 2006 - 07:55 PM

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MF battery are sealed battery which is why call as maintenance free
battery. The only way i know to check the battery whether is it in good
condition is, to use a voltmeter to test the voltage across the terminal
when starting. The drawing of high ampere when starting the engine will
reduce the voltage level. Hence meaning that if the battery cant store
charges anymore, even though the voltage at rest is 13V, but when
starting time drop to 9V, meaning that the battery need attention.

This experience come from my workplace when starting a generator which
uses battery. The terminal voltage which is 26V drop to 5V when starting,
hence confirming the battery failure.

It will be advisable to use a lead-acid battery, as we can see physically
the battery condition, by monitoring the water level. If one of the cells
consume more water than the other cell, be prepared to have a standby.

rdgs.