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Daft Battery Question


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#1 finch661

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Posted 19 October 2009 - 09:01 AM

i have just bought a new battery from halfords after my last one wouldnt start my car in the cold. it is a maintenance free battery and has several caps on the top of the battery. when i was installing it some liquid came out of the top of the caps. i am assuming that this will most likely be water rather than lead acid?

cheers :(

#2 newdawn1st

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Posted 19 October 2009 - 09:50 AM

If its a lead acid battery then distilled water is used to top it up BUT when charged it creates sulphuric acid in the electrolyte, this dissipates in a discharged state. However it is best to assume that your dealing with acid and proceed with caution, using bicarbonate of soda and water to neutralize any spillages.

#3 finch661

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Posted 19 October 2009 - 09:54 AM

cheers mate, do you know how regularly you need to top of the distilled water in the battery?

#4 newdawn1st

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Posted 19 October 2009 - 09:56 AM

As its maintenance free, you shouldn't have to, but I find it odd that that you have caps on it.

#5 finch661

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Posted 19 October 2009 - 09:59 AM

thats what i thought! its one of the halfords maintenance free batteries... unless they mean that you dont need to top up the acid?

#6 newdawn1st

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Posted 19 October 2009 - 10:04 AM

The only reasons I know for having access to the electrolyte is to top it up (with distilled water) if needed and checking the battery state via Specific Gravity. I wouldn't worry too much about it, you could read this to help with the learning :(

edit: I'm assuming that only a tiny amount was spilt, if a significant amount was spilt the plates may be exposed to air and reduce the efficiency and safety of your battery

Edited by newdawn1st, 19 October 2009 - 10:09 AM.


#7 finch661

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Posted 19 October 2009 - 10:09 AM

cheers for the link, looks really good. its a new battery so i shouldnt have to worry about it.....although it is from halfords...... :(

#8 taffy1967

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Posted 19 October 2009 - 04:14 PM

As it's from Halfords I guess it cost a fair bit then?

I bought a standard battery for my Mini (Moura was the brand name) from my local Sparesworld some 3 years ago and it's still going strong.

That only cost about 16 quid if that.

Edited by taffy1967, 19 October 2009 - 04:15 PM.


#9 2lrminivan

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Posted 19 October 2009 - 04:15 PM

they say its maintenance free because on modern cars you should never need to top it up only if the alternator boils the acid out.
years ago you use to check it every now and then because the charging system was not that good.but things have changed.

going to make you fedup now as halfords charge twice the amount they should for the batterys
i use to sell a o63 (fits modern small cars) the same as halfords for £25 inc vat when i was in the trade.
and halfords would charge well over £50 for the very same battery.

#10 Dan

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Posted 19 October 2009 - 04:29 PM

They are also usually garbage. I say usually because you never know what you are getting from Halfords, they don't make their own batteries and will buy whatever they can get cheap and stick their name on them.

#11 bmcecosse

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Posted 19 October 2009 - 04:33 PM

Don't understand how it spilled fluid - surely you kept it upright ? Hopefully you have a good warranty with it ! But as a general rule - if you can buy something in Hellfrauds - you can get it MUCH cheaper elsewhere!

#12 taffy1967

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Posted 19 October 2009 - 04:37 PM

Hence why I got mine from my local Sparesworld who along with my local Autoparts and Partco are streets ahead of my local Halfords who are staffed by children who know nothing about cars.

Although saying that, the branch we visited in Haverfordwest (whilst on holiday in Tenby) were far more helpful and knowledgeable than the YTS kids who hang about at my local Halfrauds.

#13 2lrminivan

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Posted 19 October 2009 - 04:39 PM

halford buy from EXIDE the biggets name in batterys in the uk/europe and just put there name on

TAFFY moura batterys are very good but expensive some times.

Edited by 2lrminivan, 19 October 2009 - 04:41 PM.


#14 taffy1967

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Posted 19 October 2009 - 04:40 PM

Well Exide should be fine then? But Motorworld were recently selling Exide branded batteries far cheaper than Halfords, but their now stocking Energizer batteries instead.

Edited by taffy1967, 19 October 2009 - 04:41 PM.


#15 finch661

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Posted 19 October 2009 - 05:10 PM

ach well, i have the battery now. i dont understand how i spilled the fluid either....eeek. just to add to the halfords slating, the battery they gave me had a recharge date of 10/09, so i hooked it up to my charger and it took about 7 hours to fully charge! but its one of those things, i needed it now and then, i didnt know where a local cheap motor factor is. plus i have a halfords trade card!




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