New battery?

Poppy9

Is there life in this old dog yet?

I left my sidelights for 6 hours and had a flat battery. AA came out and restarted me but said I need a new battery as the current one is original (car reg. dec 05).

He tested it and gave me the reading:

volts 12.61
measured 250 CCA
rating 390 CCA

quoted almost £80 for new battery but local supplier £45.

Thanks

skivenov

I'd say it's on it's last legs, but it still starts the car. The question for you really is do you want the peace of mind of a shiney new one, or to have your money's worth out of it?

It's not going to burst into flames or start mowing down small children, but at the same time, one cold morning, maybe this winter, maybe in two years time, you'll be ringing a very nice man again.

forgotmyname

12.61 with the engine off or running?

Engine off its good. Engine running i would expect it to be higher. Expecially if the battery is a bit low.

Dont buy a battery from halfords. They are overpriced.

Same battery will be cheaper elsewhere.

missile

I believe AA men are encouraged to sell you a battery.

However, batteries do not last forever and after almost 7 years I would be thinking of getting a replacement before winter.

Poppy9

forgotmyname wrote: »

12.61 with the engine off or running?.

urmmh I think it was running but can't quite remember. He charged it for 5 minutes then I had to turn engine off then restart it and then he ran a test and then when he gave me paper work he gave me a little print out.

He didn't try the hard sell on me and the £45 quoted was by a supplier I've used before.

I'm not adverse to spending the money I just don't want to do it till pay day unless it's urgent.

marlot

The measured voltage is pretty irrelevant - if it had just been charging then it will read high due to 'surface charge'. And it was probably still a bit flat any way.

CHances are the battery is coming towards the end of its life. If you have early starts and absolutely need the car to start then you're best replacing it soon. Especially as the weather gets colder [a battery is less effective when its cold, and the engine is harder to turn over].

If it's not that critical, I'd recommend putting the battey on a charger overnight and keep going with it for a bit longer. If you want a decent charger, Aldi have them in stock from today (but they normally sell out quickly).

If you decide to risk it a bit longer, be careful about calling out the AA for a flat battery again - I think they charge if its something they've previously come out for?

Hintza

I'm assuming it's a manual car therefore if the battery gets iffy over the winter the OP should be able to get a push/jump start and then drive down and have it replaced.

I wouldn't be buying a new one until I was sure it was dead.

Obviously if it is an auto then you are only left with a jump start option which could be more hassle if you are not prepared for that.

mikey72

7 years old now, so if you're keeping the car it's worth spending on a new one now, and it'll last the rest of the time you keep it. If you're selling next year give the old one a try.

Strider590

If it's on it's way out, this winter will finish it off for sure..... And I dare say leave you stranded in the cold, at the mercy of paying over the odds for a new one.

I'd order myself a new one now, get a friend to fit it (or yourself) and never have to worry about it again.

gilbert_and_sullivan

If its been starting the car without issue up to now, then i'd leave it on and see how it goes, the battery was flat and was charged for 6 minutes...no point in taking any readings and the exercise was to sell you a new battery, the only reason it went flat was driver error in the first place.

I would however invest in a smart charger, keep an eye open at Lidls and Aldi for when they have them @ £14ish, just as good as CTEK @ £40, and every now and again give the battery a good couple of days conditioning charge.

I do this regardless of how new the battery is, they last for donkeys years if you look after them.

Strider590

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

I would however invest in a smart charger, keep an eye open at Lidls and Aldi for when they have them @ £14ish, just as good as CTEK @ £40.

They're in Aldi right now, I highly recommend buying one if you don't have a battery charger!!!

I have a CTEK, but i've bought the Aldi one (out of curiosity, to dismantle), it is NOT a CTEK on the inside (despite what people say), it is not a smart charger. But it is a good price for a bog standard battery charger to charge and remove after charging.