Regeneration of Battery

[Clunkclick]

The centre cell on the 60Ah unit in my 2003 Fabia has gone/on the way out - sluggish engine starts and the cell doesn't bubble when engine is running. Does any one know whether this type of battery can be restored/refurbished - Current personal finances mean that I'm not relishing having to shell out for a new one at present.



Nick

15/06/07

[ap0gee]

Originally Posted by Clunkclick

The centre cell on the 60Ah unit in my 2003 Fabia has gone/on the way out - sluggish engine starts and the cell doesn't bubble when engine is running. Does any one know whether this type of battery can be restored/refurbished - Current personal finances mean that I'm not relishing having to shell out for a new one at present.



Nick

15/06/07

Thought they were sealed units? If so, non-repairable I think... Someone on here might be able to recommend a good place for a cheap battery, though...

[Clunkclick]

Definitely not sealed - I removed the filler caps and topped-up with DW - as the centre cell was well down (Plates were still covered

Just taken it for a short run up the M40 to see if that will restore it. But, I suspect that will do nothing if the plates are well sulphated. But its odd that the centre cell has gone. Usually, the cell nearest the terminal goes.

On other cars I've had with lower capacity batteries (45 Ah), if one cell goes the starter will not turn. However, this one still starts, albeit it sluggishly.

Perhaps there's a possibility that i could attempt to restore the cell function without risking the capability of the rest of the battery using one of those acid booster pills - has any had experience of these ?


Nick

15/06/07

[Lummox]

If its got cell caps it isnt original meaning its already been changed once, maybe there is an underlying issue.

[Clunkclick]

Owned car from new. All servicing done by Skoda dealership. Battery not replaced to my knowledge.

Nick


15/06/07

[Lummox]

Got a picture?

Only ever seen maintanence free batteries on Skodas.

[Clunkclick]

I'll get one.

From memory, its of Czech origin and has the charge state indicators on it. I think the manufacturer is Alume ?


Nick

15/06/07

[cheezemonkhai]

You would need a battery acid solution with some lead dissolved into it to place a new coating of lead over the anode in the battery.

I doubt you can easily get hold hold of this these days.

It might be worth checking the levels again and putting the battery on a slow charge overnight or something.

[Decron]

If it's gone like that, it usually means the plates are bent and there is no coming back from that.

[Parsko]

Hi, I have a Halfords trade card and would be happy for you to get my discount ( nearly 50%) on some batteries.
I live near Bristol, if this would help PM me.

[Clunkclick]

Slow re-charge + battery regeneration tabs failed - looks like cell no 4 is completely shorted out, it has shown any signs of activity.

So I'm in for a new battery. I'm having real difficulty locally sourcing a replacement.

The local SKODA dealership can only offer a 61 AH which I suspect is designed for use in the bigger diesels. Local tuners can supply a 45 AH Bosch which will fit the tray, but I not convinced this would meet the demands of the on-board kit. They can suupy a 55AH unit but advise that the tray would have to be "Modified" to fit it.

A further local supplier can offer a 60AH unit (VARTA), but the tuners doubt that this will fit the tray without modification, saying VARTA and BOSCH are the same thing.



Can anyone advise what SKODA GB advise/ a good place I can source the correct item.

'03 Skoda Fabia saloon 1.4 (100 BHP) , 6Y3 chassis, BBZ engine.


Nick,

19/06/07

[KTea88]

DUMP the Battery

and try and get hold of a Gel cell type.

the AC delco freedom is one of those. these are the mutts

in the early 90's fast forward mag (proper car Audio mag of the day)

tested loads of batteries for deep cycling

the top one was an exotic Spiral Gel cell mega expensive.

but second came the AC delco Freedom (as fitted as standard to Vauxhall's)

I had a derv battery fitted to my GSi 4x4 awsome cranking power!

so pop along to the Vauxhall dealer, might be able to get Delco's else where.

hope this helps.

[storm monkey]

If you have a lot of kit, and have been known to run the battery down, then get a dual purpose type, as mentioned above. Most car batteries are not designed to be flattened, and damage is caused every time they go flat. In these circumstances, a dual purpose will be a little more expensive, but last a damn site longer.

Phil

[anton]

got a bog standard battery from kwick fit the other week for the fabia sdi for £29.99 fitted with 2yr guarentee , needed it yesterday as well after changing the fuel filter without priming it, took 2mins of cranking

[Clunkclick]

I have bitten on the bullet and bought the VARTA, which turns out to be a 62 AH Calcium - Silver battery @ £73 (Inc VAT)

The advertising claims that this type has a 30% longer life.

This thing is rated at 600 A for cranking (I presume at room temp), so plenty of spare capacity to move those twin cams on winter days - autodata says that the cranking drain (Warm) is 165 - 200 A for this Fabia.

I think a 4.25 year life on the current Akuma (CZ) lead-acid is pretty poor - though it probably didn't have the best start in life, being nearly totally discharged due to disuse and then recharged within 6 months of me acquiring the car in 2003 - the charge state indicator lighyts never worked after this !

Certainly, I got 7 years a piece out of the lead-acid jobbies fitted to my Mk 1 Golf before it went to its maker in 1996.

As my annual mileage is pretty low nowadays, I think I may get a solar cell (fitted to the parcel shelf) to trickle charge it. Does any body know if this is a good idea
and if so, what's a suitable wattage output, given that, in addition, the alarm is actively draining the battery when the car is at rest ?


Nick,

19/06/07

[storm monkey]

Never tried it, but you can get a battery charge regulator from Maplin for about £10, and an 18w cell for not a hugh amount. Might be worth a look, as anything ready made will no doubt be expensive.

Phil

[Micky 32]

4.25 isn't bad for a battery. I rarely ever get more than 4 years out of one but i do a high mileage so is probably the exception, lots of cycling. Apparently though only 30% of batteries reach the 48 month mark.

[rum4mo]

Originally Posted by KTea88

DUMP the Battery

and try and get hold of a Gel cell type.

the AC delco freedom is one of those. these are the mutts

in the early 90's fast forward mag (proper car Audio mag of the day)

tested loads of batteries for deep cycling

the top one was an exotic Spiral Gel cell mega expensive.

but second came the AC delco Freedom (as fitted as standard to Vauxhall's)

I had a derv battery fitted to my GSi 4x4 awsome cranking power!

so pop along to the Vauxhall dealer, might be able to get Delco's else where.

hope this helps.

Great advice even though the indescriminent name dropping of one of the best medium sized sporting family cars has brought a lump to my throat! My GSi 4X4 liked the battery changed every 3 or 4 years - never a cranking issue, just a rather annoying habit of the alarm going off, replaced battery with new Delco one twice and alarm problems disappeared for another 3 or 4 years!