bad battery?

[TruckTruck]

I have been storing my car for the winter in a heated garage. I wanted to just start it every weekend to make sure fluids moved around and battery would get charged. However I forgot about it for a month or 2 and the battery was dead, no problem just jumped it and ran it for a while no issues. Week later its completely dead again. Is this just cause its sitting for a week or bad battery. This is the first car I have ever stored so I wouldn't be surprised if I am missing something.

[JD001]

Originally Posted by TruckTruck

I have been storing my car for the winter in a heated garage. I wanted to just start it every weekend to make sure fluids moved around and battery would get charged. However I forgot about it for a month or 2 and the battery was dead, no problem just jumped it and ran it for a while no issues. Week later its completely dead again. Is this just cause its sitting for a week or bad battery. This is the first car I have ever stored so I wouldn't be surprised if I am missing something.

I'm not using my car much and find the battery dead most times however it has recovered its charge after a couple of hours of driving. Short drives don't help as a dead battery is reluctant to take a full charge immediately .

I have been thinking about getting a battery disconnection widget but been too lazy. So I use snooper jump starter to get it running. Long term I'm sure it's not great to completely drain the battery but I am resigned to the fact that I'll probably get a new battery in the Spring.

[Packofcrows]

Drive it for like 30min to recharge.

Yes these batteries blow! Is yours a Panasonic as well? Mine dies in cold weather quicker than hot as well.

[JD001]

Originally Posted by Packofcrows

Drive it for like 30min to recharge.

Yes these batteries blow! Is yours a Panasonic as well? Mine dies in cold weather quicker than hot as well.

I find 30minutes drive is enough to operate remotes, door locks but never enough to turn over the engine. Come Spring I will invest in better quality battery.

[Lelantas]

As with all other car batteries, charging is very slow if you're just idling your engine. After jumping it, be sure to drive it around for at least half an hour, preferably at higher speeds. If it's still not turning over, it's probably time to replace the battery.

Also, if you're just starting it every weekend without actually driving it, you're actually doing your battery a disservice--it's being used to start the engine, but it's not getting charged significantly.

[jarnojvv]

Your vehicles charging system was not designed to bring a flat dead battery back to life. No amount of driving will fully recharge a dead battery. Idling the engine for periods of time will not help either.

Surface charging or continuous undercharging will lower the capacity of the battery over time and deep discharges can damage batteries and will shorten their lives. When a dead battery needs to be recharged, the only way to reliably restore it is to use an appropriate multi-stage battery charger. The charger voltage needs to be high enough to mix the battery acid evenly in the electrolyte to prevent ‘stratification’.

Discharge damage is permanent though.

I top mine up once a fortnight with a intelligent charger and batteries last 6 yrs plus.

[JD001]

Originally Posted by jarnojvv

Your vehicles charging system was not designed to bring a flat dead battery back to life. No amount of driving will fully recharge a dead battery. Idling the engine for periods of time will not help either. Surface charging or continuous undercharging will lower the capacity of the battery over time and deep discharges can damage batteries and will shorten their lives. When a dead battery needs to be recharged, the only way to reliably restore it is to use an appropriate multi-stage battery charger. The charger voltage needs to be high enough to mix the battery acid evenly in the electrolyte to prevent ‘stratification’. You will also save wear and tear, and fuel by using a charger to restore the battery to its maximum charge.

I used to own a decent battery charger / conditioner however moved house recently and it was thrown out by someone who knows better and must be obeyed.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by jarnojvv

Your vehicles charging system was not designed to bring a flat dead battery back to life. No amount of driving will fully recharge a dead battery. Idling the engine for periods of time will not help either.........

.

This is important!

It's best to put a weak/dead battery on a charger ......the alternator is designed just to replace the charge used by the electrical system during normal usage.


humfrz

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by JD001

I used to own a decent battery charger / conditioner however moved house recently and it was thrown out by someone who knows better and must be obeyed.

Well, yes ....... "you hadn't used in the last year and don't plan on using it the next year" sooooo..........out it goes!


humfrz

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by JD001

I used to own a decent battery charger / conditioner however moved house recently and it was thrown out by someone who knows better and must be obeyed.

Originally Posted by humfrz

Well, yes ....... "you hadn't used in the last year and don't plan on using it the next year" sooooo..........out it goes!


humfrz

Uggh. Just reading this raises my BP. Fuuuuuuu...

[JD001]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Well, yes ....... "you hadn't used in the last year and don't plan on using it the next year" sooooo..........out it goes!


humfrz

Exactly!!! LOL!

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Uggh. Just reading this raises my BP. Fuuuuuuu...

Well, yes ....... when was the last time you used that timing light, dwell meter, feeler gauge, carburetors synchronizer, vacuum gauge or points file ……….. ?? ...... out they go!

But don’t you dare touch the pressure cooker, canning cooker, pickle crock, colander, butter churn, wok pot, cottage cheese sack or flour sifter ………


humfrz

[JD001]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Uggh. Just reading this raises my BP. Fuuuuuuu...

I hope your BP has dropped.. Just imagine how I felt, I was quietly going through boxes looking for it and didn't think once that I should ask she who must be obeyed. When I did ask if she had seen it (I had to describe it) I got silence that said it all.

[shiumai]

I drive everyday, but very short distances. i connect my battery to a battery tender charger every couple of weeks or so. been doing this for the past couple of years. had the car 3 years now and the battery's still good.