Battery

CITMAN · Unread post by **CITMAN** » 17 Oct 2002, 20:22

I have 1995 Citroen ZX 1.4i I have recently had my battery tested by my local garage. And I have been told that the battery is unserviceable, he used a BOSCH BAT 121 to test it.
TEST RESULT
VOLTAGE 13.10v
START CAPACITY 77%
BATTERY UNSERVICEABLE
SAE >0c
CAN ANYONE TELL ME IF I NEED TO REPLACE MY CAR BATTERY OR NOT

Chris_L · Unread post by **Chris_L** » 17 Oct 2002, 20:33

Hi,
To be honest I'm much more fond of the old aproach.... Keep using it until you notice that it needs changing! You can tell a lot more by listening to how fast the starter motor cranks when you first get in, and whether its noticeably better when the car's warm than cold than you will be able to get from these results! If you have no problems starting from cold, especially after leaving the car for a few days or more, then I'd be tempted to leave it alone until things get worse. You'll know when it needs changing!
Chris

Unread post by **RichardW** » 17 Oct 2002, 20:37

Yeah, most modern batteries just seem to packup totally one day. My BX TD did that - fine one day, went out next day, preheaters OK, went to crank - nothing. Turned on lights, dim glow for about 1 second then nothing, battery was stone dead! Just keep running it till it won't start the engine any more.
Richard

Unread post by **handman** » 18 Oct 2002, 01:33

your battery is in goog condition, you can buy a tester that goes in your cig lighter and it give good reliable results its also very cheap, and as the last reply said use to the death you cant service that type just make sure you get your next one that you can service

Unread post by **Morten** » 18 Oct 2002, 03:20

Hi,
your voltage (13.10) looks low. If you change it to ie 14-14.25 V your battery will perform better. It will also have a longer lifetime. When I tested my Xantia, it was the (+) cable from the dynamo to battery which was the problem. Changing to thicker cable, rised the voltage to 14.1 from 13.5 (measured on the battery). You can also replace the voltage regulator in the dynamo, and then tune it to ie 14.25 V.
The downside: you need to refill water on the battery now and then. If your battery is totally sealed, take care not to rise the voltage to high, since evaporation has no way to get out.