Had A Flat Battery (ca Type)

[Dave-G]

Charged it up with an ordinary car charger for 2 hours and it started ok so I left it on charge for several hours - no problem since.

 

Out of curiosity there is a green inspection window or led/lamp/lense type thing on the top - anyone know what that is? there is text next to it saying words to the effect of check manual - but there is nowt of use on that subject in the manual?

 

Also - it has two covers that appear to have tamper evident labels over them - can they be removed to check and top up the water please? I know they're supposed to be maintenance free - but could it be the makers dont really want us to prolong their life?

[Andrew T]

For want of a better term, it's a battery health indicator. The greener the better.

 

The tamper proof cover can be removed and the levels topped up as normal, but it's not necessary for the first few years of life.

[Dave-G]

There's a quick reply innit?

 

Thanks andrew - much as I thought, but it was quite green while I couln't start it. I Force the wife to go out in the freezing cold to vacuum it and windowlene the windows once a week regardless of the weather - bet she left a door open on purpose after she'd finished :lol:

 

Just to clarify the door open bit..... If she closes the doors in the winter the windows steam up while she dutyfully polishes them so I tell her she MUST leave the doors open - icy or otherwise :lol:

[mumof4]

I am soooooooo glad we divorced Dave :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Dave-G]

Quick bite MO4 :lol:

[mumof4]

:lol: ..yup....on the ball today :lol:

[seatkid]

The green indicator is a "state of charge" indicator

 

Green = Battery charged OK

White = Battery needs charging

Black/Red = Fluid needs topping up

 

The indicator is basically a specific gravity indicator working on one cell. If the indicator was green and you had trouble with starting its likely one of the other cells is faulty. Although modern Ca based batteries are truly no maintenance, you can usually remove the the cell cover and check the fluid levels. If water is down in a cell it usually means a duff battery. If water is down overall there may be a problem with the charging system (over charging)

 

From what you say though its likely your battery is knackered. Check the guarantee first......

[Dave-G]

Thanks SK - I'll be keeping an eye on it from now on ;)

[Dave-G]

Hrmph - cant get the covers off ;)

[tiny]

Is this usefull ?

TSB99105.doc

[Dave-G]

Thanks Tiny :blink:

[BrummyGit]

How "Green" is the green?

 

My 1 year old galaxy is struggling to start in this weather just as though the battery is low. I had a look at the window this morning and it looked more Black than Green, but was I expecting to see too much under the shadow of the bonnet?

 

Thanks

[Guest gooner52]

have you tested the battery for volts ...at night then in the morning

 

was a lot of talk about this the other week

 

see hear battery drain

[mumof4]

How "Green" is the green?

 

My 1 year old galaxy is struggling to start in this weather just as though the battery is low. I had a look at the window this morning and it looked more Black than Green, but was I expecting to see too much under the shadow of the bonnet?

 

Thanks

 

 

should be all green....have a gander when not in the shadow.

[BrummyGit]

Checked mine again - it's black :)

 

I might do the voltage test, but also speak to the dealers to ask if it would be covered under warranty (I suspect not).

[mumof4]

has the battery itself got a warrenty??

[Dave-G]

Unless your 1 year old Gal has done more than 60K I guess theyd find it hard to suggest it's not up to its job mate

[BrummyGit]

I had a flat battery again today with the car having stood since Wednesday. It looks like a trip to the dealers for another warranty claim if they'll honour it. I suspect they'll say a battery is a consumable although it's not specifically excluded in my warranty booklet.

[rwtomkins]

My warranty book clearly states batteries are guaranteed for 3 years, assuming they're Ford parts supplied by Ford dealers.

[BrummyGit]

Is that the standard warranty book - can you point me in the right direction?

 

I trickle charged it for 24 hours after it getting 2 good 20 minute runs yesterday and it's still only showing 12.3v at rest. I checked the current drain which seems to match the experiences of others on here at 200ma when locked up with the alarm on.

 

So I'm guessing its the battery and I need to know if I have a valid claim against Ford in year 2 of my warranty.

 

Thanks

Edited February 11, 2007 by BrummyGit

[BrummyGit]

So far so good - I fitted a new battery on Monday evening and so far starting has been perfect. The Gal spins quickly and fires firt turn. I'm guessing I busted my original fit battery by totally flattening it when the car was a couple of months old as things haven't been right for a while. Sadly Ford didn't want to know outside of year 1 of the warranty.

 

Anyway I thought I'd say that I managed to fit a 100AH Silver Calcium battery which is the biggest I could find that fitted the Galaxy battery tray - it is the same height and depth but much wider and exactly fits the tray. It is also listed on the Varta UK website as fitting the Galaxy and was in stock at my local National Tyre Services who wanted to sell me a 70AH Silver Calcium replacement. It was not cheap at

[Andrew T]

It's been said on here that if a Ca battery is ever fully flattened it will never be any good. Having eventually persauded National to give a warranty replacement for mine I've had no problems.