10 replies to this topic

[maccers]

I had to leave my 1293 s/c mini with my dad for a while (house works..). I gave him a charger and told him to regularly connect it, which he done some of the time. The car was driven a bit as well, but not much. 

 

I came to get it today, and the charger was connected, but only ready 12.8 volts. The battery is a Halfords HCB013 that was bought new and installed this summer. Its got like a traffic light tester on it, and currently shows "Fully Discharged, Please Re-Charge".

 

The charger has been on overnight its still showing 12.7 ish volts, and the tester on the battery the same. Is there any way to revive this battery? Its literally less than 6 months old. 

[JXC Mini GT]

Take it back to Halfords, they will check to see if it's faulty and replace it if it is.

[nicklouse]

less than 6 months old just take it back.

[slidehammer]

I agree with Nick and JXC Mini GT, but if have lost the receipt and they won't replace you could try one of the smart chargers like the CTEK 3.8,mx as they pulse on the start cycle to clean the plates prior to starting the charge. Problem is they are about £50.00 so as much as a new battery

[Dusky]

I think AC has a fancy way of 'jump' starting a battery.

[paulrockliffe]

I just bought a CTEK trickle charger for about £26 I think, it reckons it can fix knackered batteries by charging at lower voltages, starting at 2 volts and going upwards.  

 

I have no idea if that works as I've never heard of it before, I bought it as a trickle charger and it's not arrived yet, but others may have some experience.  It might be worth a try because it sounds like you should invest in one anyway to avoid this happening again.

[tiger99]

It may work for a while. Possibly even a long while. Or not.... I do wish you success.

 

I don't know where you keep the car, but if it is outside there would be no disadvantage in using a solar panel. looking as close to due south as possible through the windscreen or rear window to maintain a constant trickle charge, during daylight hours. They are great things for that purpose, also when parking a daily driver, with its significant current drain through all its electronics, at Heathrow for a month.. Getting cheaper too, but like most things, best value may be in the post-Christmas sales.

[maccers]

Thanks all for replies, Halfords replaced the battery no problems. I keep the new battery on an Oxford trickle charger. Car is kept in brick build garage, with central heating boiler, so its a few degrees warmer than the outside. Car seems to start ok and drive fine, it made the ride back from Dorset to Epsom all ok. The charger still reports the same 12.8 volts vs anything near 14 volts. Seems ok though.

[bpirie1000]

Refund.. they may ask for receipt though.... go armed with purchase date and bank statement if you can't find the receipt... does say retain for warranty....

[Steve220]

Refund.. they may ask for receipt though.... go armed with purchase date and bank statement if you can't find the receipt... does say retain for warranty....

Thanks all for replies, Halfords replaced the battery no problems.

[bpirie1000]

Result....... good to hear some positive about the new improved Halfords.......