Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
Yellow Top Battery wont charge
The 50A fuse on my National Lunar split charge system blew a few days ago and I didnt notice. Result : my yellow top has gone flat
I have replaced the fuse (this is the 3rd time in 2 weeks - help as to why it keeps blowing would be much appreciated ) and decided to put the battery on charge rather than run the engine.
Its been on charge now since 13:00 on sunday and when I checked it about 09:00 this morning its still charging and only reading 10.4 volts. Is this to be expected ?, or is the battery knackered ??. I'm using a Halfords charger which says its good for sealed and non-sealed batteries bike, cars etc etc. Its set to "sealed" and the charge light is illuninated.
Thanks
DuncanDuncan
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14th Jul 2008 9:15 am
Pelyma
Member Since: 06 Jan 2005
Location: Patching, Sussex
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Are they like a leisure battery, they don't like being run flat, you need a different charging process to get the plates to sulphate ISTR, I use a CTEK charger on my van batteries. But I'm sure TFC will give you the low down!DS3 TDV6 HSE - Silver with Alpaca (old one) Gone
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14th Jul 2008 9:36 am
Reggieb
Member Since: 13 Sep 2007
Location: Watford, Herts.
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If they run completly flat most electronic chargers won't kick in. I used to connect a jump starter and then clip the battery charger on, once the voltage had increased slightly the charger would kick in OK.
I do recommend CTEK chargers though, I had a VW GTI that had been standing on the drive for 6 months with a flat battery and the CTEK charged it, quite amazing.
I think COSTCO sell them for about £45.
Good luck
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14th Jul 2008 10:16 am
heine
Member Since: 07 Feb 2007
Location: Midrand
Posts: 4054
Yellow tops are designed to handle a 100 % discharge - so the battery should be OK . If not maybe you have a valid warranty claim ?
14th Jul 2008 10:20 am
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
Thanks Guys,
more expense Duncan
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If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
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D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
1. Measure the output voltage on your charger - It shouls be 13.5 to 14 to charge the yellow top and when connected should charge at a couple of amps steady straight away. 10.4V is not too low for this battery.
2. The fuse blow is a clue, there may be a cell short in the yellow top. This is dangerous, take the battery to an Auto electrician or back to the supplier for checking/replacment.
Rgds
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14th Jul 2008 12:39 pm
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
Thanks
Ive just bought a CTEK ZAFIR 90 for £20 inc VAT from Costco, so lets hope it works
with regards a shorted cell, how can this be tested ?Duncan
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If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
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14th Jul 2008 1:41 pm
10forcash
Member Since: 09 Jun 2005
Location: Ubique
Posts: 16534
The blown fuse may be due to the D3 having an alternator output of up to 150A, i'd connect the battery to the D3 with jump leads and run the D3 for 30-40 mins or so, this should put a good enough surface charge into it to allow the C-Tek to give it a good deep charge. If the terminal voltage drops below about 10.5V the National Luna won't recognise the battery is connected so won't charge it, the deep discharge may be due to leaving a load connected for too long
The easiest way to check for a shorted cell on a sealed battery is to check the cell temperatures, a shorted cell will be hotter than the rest during charging
14th Jul 2008 1:50 pm
countrywide
Member Since: 16 Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 6019
If all else fails lots of the battery distributors/specialists have special chargers for this and you can take the battery in to them to get it charged. They only charge a few £ to do it.
Had to do it a few times on a boat battery. I bought a Gel battery the other day 150Ah, which is amazing as you can turn it upside down and it still works and you can safely ship it by air as well.
Last edited by countrywide on 14th Jul 2008 2:22 pm. Edited 1 time in total
14th Jul 2008 1:58 pm
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
Thanks TFC. Re the blown fuse... its only started blowing in the last couple of weeks or so. I'll try the cell temperatures and see what i can find.
CheersDuncan
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If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
14th Jul 2008 2:20 pm
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Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
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If it's kacked, then Warranty claim sounds good. Otherwise I'v heard TFC does a good price.... Bodsys Brake Bible
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14th Jul 2008 9:28 pm
drivesafe
Member Since: 23 Feb 2006
Location: Gold Coast, Australia
Posts: 867
Hi DiscoDunc, before you do anything else, get rid of the fuse.
For safety reasons alone, fuses should not be used in any high current circuit ( 30 amps or more ) and specifically with a dual battery system, where the charging currents are so unpredictable, circuit breakers give you far better protection.
If the Yellow Top is very low it can have inrush currents at start up of around 100 amps, if the current is available and when used in a D3, this sort of current IS available and will easily blow a 50 amp fuse.
You need to fit an auto reset automotive type circuit breaker of no more than 50 amps. This will allow for inrush currents but still give your set up plenty of protection.
As for you battery, I would take it back to where ever you got it and have them test it. Optima batteries do fail but there is a good warranty in place for these batteries.2008 TDV8 RR Lux + 2009 D4 2.7
14th Jul 2008 9:49 pm
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DD cut to the important issue, have you rescued the contents of the fridge and found it an energency place in your kitchen fridge???
14th Jul 2008 9:52 pm
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
Thanks Drivesafe,
what do these circuit breakers look like and where would i get one, or more...
It seems a bit odd that the National Lunar system came with two fuses, a 150 between the main battery and control unit/solenoid and a 50 between the control unit and the aux battery.
can i just replace these with two home made fuses made out of copper pipe , or will this damage the control unit/solenoidDuncan
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If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
14th Jul 2008 11:25 pm
drivesafe
Member Since: 23 Feb 2006
Location: Gold Coast, Australia
Posts: 867
DiscoDunc wrote:
what do these circuit breakers look like and where would i get one, or more...
Hi Duncan, I only use Cole Hersee ( USA ) automotive circuit breakers and this is what they look like.
There are other brands and other types.
You should be able to get circuit breakers at any decent auto spare parts store2008 TDV8 RR Lux + 2009 D4 2.7
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) and decided to put the battery on charge rather than run the engine.
, or will this damage the control unit/solenoid
