Car Battery Voltage Drop

martindow

Problems with my car battery going flat, so while I do not need to use the car I have charged it up, disconnected the earth so there can be no drain through the car and am taking voltage readings which are gradually dropping.

30th 12.61V
31st 12.52V
1st 12.47V

Is this normal behaviour for an a battery just a few months old or does it show that it is not holding a charge?

hewhoisnotintheknow

i wonder if temperature would have an impact on the readings

martindow

hewhoisnotintheknow wrote: »

i wonder if temperature would have an impact on the readings

Possibly, but it was warmer today (well above freezing anyway) and it has dropped again. I assume batteries are happier in warmer temperatures?

cyclonebri1

Steady boy, you'll not be thanked for that.


If the op wants to prolong the life of an unused car/battery he should but a battery conditioning unit such as the Optimate, designed to do just such a job for summer/track/classic cars

PS the voltage drop over that time should not be a concern, they are designed to be used, check it once a week max.