Battery Advice required........

[MeMe]

.....please. Hi Chaps its been a while ! Missed me ?

Went to start her up a weekend or so ago only to find the battery flat. Checked isolator switch which had of course been turned off although I'd left the bildge pump switch on in "auto mode". VHF off etc etc. Anyway put it down to a one off and put the battery on charge overnight. Started up first time the next day but by the time I'd sat off shore for an hour with the vhf and depth sounder on, the battery was once again flat - fortunately I had my jumper pack with me and again she started first time.

Again I put her on charge, this time for at least 36 hours - unfortunately the same story was repeated the next weekend, started but flat withing an hour or so !

So - is it the battery - it's a 2002, the right one for the engine/boat - as fitted by the dealer. Or do you think I'm getting a discharge somewhere. That said, shes been great for the past 12 months ?

Ideas and advice most welcome - thanks.

In the meantime, there is an inspection window which shows green both when the battery is dead and charged - will start the engine and wont - it remains green !

[Searider]

Could be a discharge. Get a multimeter that will measure current and put that in line between the battery and whatever is connected to it - isolation switch and bilge pump. If there's a discharge you will see current flowing.

If there's no discharge then I guess it points to a knackered battery. - Should be cheap enough to replace - 2002 is now more than 3 years old

[MeMe]

........ok I'll pick one up this afternoon. What should I ask for in Halfords / local car accessories shop ? Further...what do I do with it ?

[Scary Des]

Unless there is a short or you have left it on it is not worth messing about with batteries Batteries have a miserable life on a RIB and compared to what they used to cost are very cheap
Go to Partco and tell them you are in the trade and you should get the right thing for £30 to £40 Make sure you get the correct poles (round poles or flats) and that they are on the right side as your current batt.
Incidentally a lot of batteries have a two year warranty so if you keep taking the battery back ever two years you will never have to buy one again Des

[Graham H]

MeMe you can borrow my battery tester this w/end if you like
Graham

[Phil Davies]

Originally Posted by MeMe

Or do you think I'm getting a discharge somewhere.

Given the extent of your business travels in the former Soviet Union, Graeme, I fear that may well be an unfortunate but distinct possibility. I am assured, however, that treatment in this field has advanced enormously in recent years and can be cured quite painlessly with antibiotics and, more importantly, without recourse to the somewhat unsavoury business of tubes and small pumps.

In answer to your initial question about whether you'd been missed on the forum, I regret to inform you that not a single member enquired as to your whereabouts. Rather in the same way that you so thoughtfully enquired about my well being following the Liverpool St tube bomb

[MeMe]

....Graham. As it happens I've just spoken to a pal who also has a place in Aber'. He has one and knows his stuff so I'll let him take a quick look - thanks anyway. I've also spoken to my local dealer who advises £40 for a new barttery however there's no point in buying one until I've figured out if power is being drained from elsewhere. I'll keep you advised.

[jwalker]

Battery is knackered.

[Erin]

Yeah I agree with JW

Had this on a car some time ago. Battery just will not hold charge yet can start the engine if briefly put on charge.

Keith

[MeMe]

........changing the fluid as it's not a sealed unit ?