A Question About Gravity... Specifically

[KendallP]

Hey guys,

So as I do every year going into winter, I tested, equalized and retested my sedan's starting battery. (Don't tell MEX that I drove with cloudy electrolyte yesterday after the equalization. I should have done it in the evening when it could rest overnight.)

After a charge and equalization with the Vector, I hammered the battery with the Harbor Freight beast with about 16.85V for 1 hour and 45 minutes. I'm pretty confident that I couldn't have done much more.

My efforts appear to have netted me about a 0.010 or ~6% gain Not stellar, but better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

So adjusted for Temperature, my readings are...

1. 1.253
2. 1.263
3. 1.263
4. 1.263
5. 1.263
6. 1.243

Not terrible for a 5 year old starting battery in a car that makes a lot of 10 minute, short hauls to work and back, but I think it fair to say she's entering her golden years.

In 35 deg. F conditions, it pretty well fires the 3 liter V6 right up. Before the equalization, though, I did notice a little sluggishness in the morning starts which reminded me that it was time to equalize. It seems that a 6% gain made a subjectively measurable difference.

My question is this...

According to my best chart, 1.243 is about 87%, where 1.263 is nearly 100%. Of course this is ASSuming that the SG when new was also 1.263 or so. I don't recall what it was on this particular battery. I think I may have neglected to take an initial reading on this one.

Now if we average the cells, we get 1.258 for about 93%.

Some folks say that a battery is only as strong as it's weakest cell. Is that really true or do I have more like a 93% battery here?

It is what it is and it'll do what it'll do, but I'm just curious.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

KendallP wrote:

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Ever see an 80-year old clutch their chest?

If it were mine señor, the very next time you even think I would notice a sneeze of difference in cranking, I would be on my way to get another battery.

Many newer cars today use gear reduction starters that demand less than half the cranking amperage of the old fashioned direct drive starters.

Call it a gut-feeling KendallP but The End Is Near. Repent.

Forgive me Father MEX, for I have sinned! How many Rosaries are we talkin' here, Father... to get me right with the battery gods?

OK, I'm sure you're right. If it were my wife's rig, I would

definitely pay serious heed. That's the rig we take to the snow and the one that she makes regular trips to Santa Cruz in with our little girls.

My rig rarely goes anywhere too cold or too far away from home base. But I'll pay close attention to that starter... if anything just so I don't stress it and force an unplanned trip to the shop.

Now...

What's your opinion on the weakest cell in the chain question?

If it were mine dept...

Do not stress the battery, at all. I would keep a maintenance charger connected if the car wasn't going to be driven for periods of 5 days or more at a time. No ignition switch accessory use at all. None.

I have this "hunch" that should you forget to switch off the headlights even once for 20 minutes or longer. Hello shank's mare.

An end-stage battery on I.V. and oxygen is not a pretty sight...

[KendallP]

BFL13 wrote:
...Clients question the shell casings rolling around the floor under their feet...

This is The United States of America, Jack! And Southern Oregon to boot! Shell casings on the floor are what we call Jefferson State Wind Chimes. No one moves HERE expecting peace signs and tofu! If you want some peace and solitude, come to town during huntin' season. Just don't expect many stores or restaurants to be open then.

Stranding my clients in the "projects," as it were... is simply a right of passage! If the ever-present and approaching sound of "Dueling Banjos" doesn't trigger an autonomic, squealing-like-pigs response, then I know they're gonna' be ALLLLright.

[BFL13]

Since it will be replaced soon anyway, IMO replace it before winter, which is the toughest time for a car battery, instead of hoping to get more time out of it.

[NinerBikes]

BFL13 wrote:
Yes the DW's car should have low risk everything.

This is K's "sedan" and he is in Real Estate so no prob? Ha. Your average real estate guy has a "sedan" to take the punters around to scout houses, and it is a big "sedan" with a fur- lined interior, soothing stereo music, and as fancy as he can afford.

K's car OTOH, is an ex-police Crown Vic, painted white, so it is at least a "sedan". Clients question the shell casings rolling around the floor under their feet, and the jagged tops of the windows when lowered (where the speed radar set was mounted), but at least it has a serious battery under the hood.

It is this battery that K is reporting on. The question is, can K afford to be stranded in the "Projects" on one of his real estate jaunts with a dead battery, when the locals all recognize that car from its glory days?

Gotta quote that one, before it gets deleted or modified. Not a pretty picture you paint. 😉

[KendallP]

mena661 wrote:
LMAO @ BFL!!!

No $h*t, I almost peed!!! And I'm not even old enough for prostrate trouble yet.

For a moment there I thought ol' BFL was pretty creative. Too bad he had to let the cat out of the bag with the truth behind that projection of his life onto mine.

Still... good story.

He's right about one thing; it's a real estate car that's as big and nice as I can afford. 2001 Toyota Avalon with over 100K. And I'm sure I'll have it for a good 200K more.

BTW... IIRC... Crown Vics are made in Canada. I wouldn't be caught dead in some crappy, Canuck, rattle trap. 🙂

[BFL13]

Ok, I confess we had an ex-police car at one time. It had been hand-painted all royal blue as the 'ghost car' but they failed to change the cheap hub caps, so everybody in town knew the car. One good thing was whenever they saw us, all of a sudden they all were doing the speed limit! 🙂

[mena661]

LMAO @ BFL!!!

[time2roll]

End is near? I think the old wheezer will keep on kickin' for a few more seasons.

[BFL13]

Yes the DW's car should have low risk everything.

This is K's "sedan" and he is in Real Estate so no prob? Ha. Your average real estate guy has a "sedan" to take the punters around to scout houses, and it is a big "sedan" with a fur- lined interior, soothing stereo music, and as fancy as he can afford.

K's car OTOH, is an ex-police Crown Vic, painted white, so it is at least a "sedan". Clients question the shell casings rolling around the floor under their feet, and the jagged tops of the windows when lowered (where the speed radar set was mounted), but at least it has a serious battery under the hood.

It is this battery that K is reporting on. The question is, can K afford to be stranded in the "Projects" on one of his real estate jaunts with a dead battery, when the locals all recognize that car from its glory days?

[mena661]

Well. KP asking a question. This is fairly rare and might rate a bookmarking. :B

[KendallP]

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Ever see an 80-year old clutch their chest?

If it were mine señor, the very next time you even think I would notice a sneeze of difference in cranking, I would be on my way to get another battery.

Many newer cars today use gear reduction starters that demand less than half the cranking amperage of the old fashioned direct drive starters.

Call it a gut-feeling KendallP but The End Is Near. Repent.

Forgive me Father MEX, for I have sinned! How many Rosaries are we talkin' here, Father... to get me right with the battery gods?

OK, I'm sure you're right. If it were my wife's rig, I would definitely pay serious heed. That's the rig we take to the snow and the one that she makes regular trips to Santa Cruz in with our little girls.

My rig rarely goes anywhere too cold or too far away from home base. But I'll pay close attention to that starter... if anything just so I don't stress it and force an unplanned trip to the shop.

Now...

What's your opinion on the weakest cell in the chain question?

[westend]

Thanks for reminding me to do an equalization on the fleet before Winter arrives in earnest.
I'm of the old school, Drive-it-until-it-won't deliver College. I'm nursing an 11 yr. old Motorcraft in my truck, presently. I can see that Hospice is not too far off.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Ever see an 80-year old clutch their chest?

If it were mine señor, the very next time you even think I would notice a sneeze of difference in cranking, I would be on my way to get another battery.

Many newer cars today use gear reduction starters that demand less than half the cranking amperage of the old fashioned direct drive starters.

Call it a gut-feeling KendallP but The End Is Near. Repent.