When to change battery

[Kb27]

 

Actually the battery itself has a indicator on top. Like my Amaron battery it shows green colour if the battery is healthy, and grey colour if it is going "bad" soon.....

 

My question is: is this indicator accurate ?

 

 

The green indicator just indicates the state of charge of that one cell.

Battery has 6 cells, out of which the other 5 are not indicated.

 

State of charge means that if it's 100% charge, the colour will show green at 12.6V.

Basically, the indicator is a cheap form of hydrometer which floats on the strength of the acid inside.

 

However, this does not indicate the power of that cell, the current it's capable of discharging.

 

To turn a starter motor, you need power and power is voltage x current.

 

So that indicator only shows you part of the equation, the voltage.

Edited June 30, 2014 by Kb27

[Optramagnum]

I think bottomline is to have regular servicing or checks by WS and some faith in the brand which you chose. If you have been everyday keep worrying if your battery will die anytime, I think you had missed the joy of owning the 2nd most exp investment for a man. There are better things to worry in your life. Keep your insurance or AA number handy, Sg isn't that big.

Edited June 30, 2014 by Optramagnum

[Pisces69]

I think bottomline is to have regular servicing or checks by WS and some faith in the brand which you chose. If you have been everyday keep worrying if your battery will die anytime, I think you had missed the joy of owning the 2nd most exp investment for a man. There are better things to worry in your life. Keep your insurance or AA number handy, Sg isn't that big.

 

 

Yeah. For my Optra I get the Global (Made in Korea) battery from Eng wah at T.Payoh.

 

It lasts >2 yrs so far its best suited.

 

Amaron a bit too big(high) for the Optra so use Global the best alternative.

 

I did try a different brand at Uncle Frankie(AMK) for similar price but it only lasted slightly more than 1 year only.

[Pisces69]

 

Actually the battery itself has a indicator on top. Like my Amaron battery it shows green colour if the battery is healthy, and grey colour if it is going "bad" soon.....

 

My question is: is this indicator accurate ?

 

 

 

That round "window" that changes colour is only the state of that one cell. The other 5 u dun know the condition.

 

I use a battery indicator plug into the ciggy lighter. It gives the charging of the alternator n can also b used to test the holding of charge in the battery.

 

Its not perfect but at least better than nothing. hee.

[Kb27]

 

 

That round "window" that changes colour is only the state of that one cell. The other 5 u dun know the condition.

 

I use a battery indicator plug into the ciggy lighter. It gives the charging of the alternator n can also b used to test the holding of charge in the battery.

 

Its not perfect but at least better than nothing. hee.

 

To realistically check the battery, you need to do a load test.

 

To simulate real world condition of starting an engine, a load of around 100 amps should be applied, and then watch the voltage drop.

If it drops below 9.7V, the battery should be replaced.

 

I have a 12V 7AH SLA battery which looks fine and voltage measures ok.

When I put a H4 55W bulb (load) on it, the bulb lights for one second and immediately goes dim.

That battery is bad already, even though it initially reads 12V.

[Johnnylim]

Went for servicing and also check the Amaron battery. Wonder how accurate is it? So far, I am able to start with one crank and also use the voltmeter to check. Without starting engine shows ard 12.2 V, with engine on without driving shows ard 14.2V.

Do I need to replace the battery or can still tahan a bit longer? The report shows BAD & REPLACE

[Ladykillerz]

Went for servicing and also check the Amaron battery. Wonder how accurate is it? So far, I am able to start with one crank and also use the voltmeter to check. Without starting engine shows ard 12.2 V, with engine on without driving shows ard 14.2V.

Do I need to replace the battery or can still tahan a bit longer? The report shows BAD & REPLACE

 

some cars do give signs of weak or longer cranking especially in early morning. this means it is time to change car battery.

some selective cars just went dead without any warning.

 

the best is to know your car well. if the past years, the battery can last 1.5 years, you change it by 1.5 years before the battery disappoints you. not worth calling for help or spend more for towing.

 

for your case, you need to check the voltage before cold start and if it is showing 12.2V, it is time for you to change.

 

12.66v . . . . . . . . . . 100%

12.45v . . . . . . . . . . 75%

12.24v . . . . . . . . . . 50%

12.06v . . . . . . . . . . 25%

11.89v . . . . . . . . . . 0%

 

it doesn't mean a car battery can drain till 1%. you need a certain voltage to start a car, depending on brand/model, some higher voltage and some lower voltage.

 

Link

[Kb27]

Went for servicing and also check the Amaron battery. Wonder how accurate is it? So far, I am able to start with one crank and also use the voltmeter to check. Without starting engine shows ard 12.2 V, with engine on without driving shows ard 14.2V.

Do I need to replace the battery or can still tahan a bit longer? The report shows BAD & REPLACE

 

Measured 245 SAE is bad already.

You are skating on thin ice.

It may work the next weeks or months, but you may also find yourself suddenly stranded.

 

I won't even use that. Replace asap. Nothing to save here.

[Johnnylim]

 

Measured 245 SAE is bad already.

You are skating on thin ice.

It may work the next weeks or months, but you may also find yourself suddenly stranded.

 

I won't even use that. Replace asap. Nothing to save here.

Thks for yr advise. How do we interpret the readings?

1) 245 SAE. what's the meaning of this? What's is the acceptable range?

2) State of health of battery, what's the acceptable range?

3) State of charge? Refering to battery or alternator? What's the acceptable range?

[Kb27]

1) 245 SAE. what's the meaning of this? What's is the acceptable range?

Most battery comes with specs printed on the label. You mention Amaron, the guy input 75D23L on his tester. I assume that would be Amaron 85D23L, spec is 550 CCA/SAE. Acceptable readings depends on tester. Some use 75% of specs, some lower number. In your case, 245 SAE measured is clearly below 50% of spec and thus the battery is bad.

 

If you're not using Amaron 85D23L, then the spec input would be wrong, but the number 245 measured would still be the same. If the spec is 360 instead, 245 would still fail.

 

2) State of health of battery, what's the acceptable range?

This depends on the tester, how they want to decide the "health". For me, I would think anything above 0% is acceptable, but should give you a picture of the "health" of battery. The number given in your test doesn't seem to be intuitive, especially considering it tells you battery is bad. The best way to determine if a battery is bad or not, would be 75% of spec or below as mentioned above.

 

3) State of charge? Refering to battery or alternator? What's the acceptable range?

State of charge refers to the battery. A battery that is full-charged at 100% has 12.66V at around 30 deg C.

At 0% charge, it's about 11.9V. Other numbers in between.

Most battery, including new, may not be able to start the engine, if it does not have at least 30% SoC.

 

Alternator voltage varies depending on the car/alternator. Anything between 13.3 and 15V is generally considered good and acceptable to be able to charge the battery.

 

[Fuelsaver]

just went for svcg at stamford tyres. they recommended to replace batt, was quoted 160 for motorlite batt & 240 for amaron din66 batt, is it reasonable?

 

btw, below the batt test slip; should i replace just because cca < 70% of original, even voltage appeared ok? -

 

Edited July 11, 2014 by Fuelsaver

[Fcw75]

just went for svcg at stamford tyres. they recommended to replace batt, was quoted 160 for motorlite batt & 240 for amaron din66 batt, is it reasonable?

 

btw, below the batt test slip; should i replace just because cca < 70% of original, even voltage appeared ok? -

 

Hyundai Tucson Amaron Din66 batt test 110714.JPG

Do the battery test all asked you to replace. Maybe by default, their course of action is REPLACE BATTERY. Hahaha...

 

Anyway, I changed Amaron DIN66 on Sept 12 at $170.

Edited July 11, 2014 by Fcw75

[Fuelsaver]

Do the battery test all asked you to replace. Maybe by default, their course of action is REPLACE BATTERY. Hahaha...

 

Anyway, I changed Amaron DIN66 on Sept 12 at $170.

lol. but was hoping to change when nearing end of the year, as by then car left 3 yrs.

 

maybe try a desulfator to see can reverse cca and last til scrap.

[Yeobh]

just went for svcg at stamford tyres. they recommended to replace batt, was quoted 160 for motorlite batt & 240 for amaron din66 batt, is it reasonable?

 

btw, below the batt test slip; should i replace just because cca < 70% of original, even voltage appeared ok? -

 

Hyundai Tucson Amaron Din66 batt test 110714.JPG

 

Seek a second opinion, get shop to do hydrometer test ( if your battery is a flood type) or a high discharge test.

Subject the battery to trickle charging ( better still with battery charger using microprocessor to do 3 or 4 stage charging) then test the battery again.

Edited July 11, 2014 by Yeobh

[Mcf777]

Do the battery test all asked you to replace. Maybe by default, their course of action is REPLACE BATTERY. Hahaha...

 

Anyway, I changed Amaron DIN66 on Sept 12 at $170.

i just changed Amaron DIN74 few days ago @ S$170

 

The price never changed. During Oct2012 also @ S$170.

 

Amaron is the BEST battery that I had ever used. Last 18-21months

My 3rd set on Amaron.

 

The rest cat and dog brand even Varta and Bosch last less than 12-14months.

[Fuelsaver]

 

Seek a second opinion, get shop to do hydrometer test ( if your battery is a flood type) or a high discharge test.

Subject the battery to trickle charging ( better still with battery charger using microprocessor to do 3 or 4 stage charging) then test the battery again.

is there such a workshop? r u able to recommend? tks.

[Fcw75]

i just changed Amaron DIN74 few days ago @ S$170

 

The price never changed. During Oct2012 also @ S$170.

 

Amaron is the BEST battery that I had ever used. Last 18-21months

My 3rd set on Amaron.

 

The rest cat and dog brand even Varta and Bosch last less than 12-14months.

Please recommend bro. Do they plug in the device into your cigarette socket when changing battery?

[Mcf777]

Please recommend bro. Do they plug in the device into your cigarette socket when changing battery?

I know you wont go to this shop "cinema"

they started the car and change the battery.