|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
11-18-2016, 06:03 PM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Beaufort NC
Posts: 25
|
1931 Model A Battery Charge Issue
Newbie here with a new-to-me Model A. Had it a few weeks. The battery was low when I got it, and I put a trickle charge on it that took several days to charge fully, then overnight the battery went dead. Zip. Too low for the trickle charge to kick on, so I got a 6 or 12 volt shomacher battery charger that is on it now, Positive on a head bolt, negative on the starter nut. The LED says it is not charging, but I'll leave it overnight and see. The battery looks recent-but i don't know.
Why would it go fully charged and then lose the charge overnight , then appear to not charge? |
11-18-2016, 06:19 PM | #2 |
BANNED
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Michigan / Ontario border, Sarnia, Ontario. 50 miles from Detroit and 150 from Toronto.
Posts: 5,800
|
Re: 1931 Model A Battery Charge Issue
That is how I charge mine. When I posted the question a week ago, nobody answered. Wayne
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
11-18-2016, 07:44 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: So Cal
Posts: 8,749
|
Re: 1931 Model A Battery Charge Issue
There should be a date code on the battery, usually a little sticker about the size of a nickle with a letter and a number. It may look good but be old.
Also check and make sure the brake lights are not stuck on. Bob |
11-18-2016, 08:09 PM | #4 |
BANNED
Join Date: May 2012
Location: inside your RAM
Posts: 3,134
|
Re: 1931 Model A Battery Charge Issue
is the car actually + ground? Check the battery connections to be sure.
Was it charged backwards the first time? Is the brake light sw stuck on as mentioned above, or some other accessory stuck on? remove battery and have auto parts store test it; they test them for free if you have a bad ground at the frame of the grounding battery cable as I suspect from your first post then maybe the charger output is not reaching the battery at all time to get some help as mentioned in the other thread
__________________
'31 180A |
11-18-2016, 10:30 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 27,582
|
Re: 1931 Model A Battery Charge Issue
Years ago I read that each time you fully discharge a lead/acid battery you have just killed 10% of it's life. So, you can see just how bad it is to have a drain that goes unchecked. And charging a dead battery in reverse is really bad and most times leaves you having to buy a new battery.
|
11-18-2016, 10:56 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Posts: 2,763
|
Re: 1931 Model A Battery Charge Issue
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
__________________
-Mike Late 31' Ford Model A Tudor, Miss Daisy I don't work on cars --I'm learning about my Model A. Cleveland, Ohio |
11-18-2016, 11:16 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Santa Rosa, CA
Posts: 1,279
|
Re: 1931 Model A Battery Charge Issue
The battery is shot. Get a new one.
|
11-18-2016, 11:26 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
|
Re: 1931 Model A Battery Charge Issue
What they said.
__________________
What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II |
11-18-2016, 11:30 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Eureka, California
Posts: 1,716
|
Re: 1931 Model A Battery Charge Issue
Tom, post # 4: ". . . each time you fully discharge a lead/acid battery you have just killed 10% of it's life."
---------------------------- I live off-grid and use solar panels to charge up my bank of batteries to give me a reservoir of 12v DC electricity to run my small cabin. As such, maintaining batteries is a major part of my life in the wilderness. With 35 years experience with daily living with battery maintenance, I can tell you that what Tom says is pretty much true. Specifically, any drop below 80% of full charge, starts eating away at the batteries longevity. And a drop down to 'dead' takes a big chunk out of battery life. Removing the battery and taking it to an auto parts store would be a good start to see what you have. The better stores have a 'battery life' measuring device. For a few bucks they can tell you how much life is left in your battery. Then you can make an informed decision if buying a new battery is a better choice than 'fighting' a dying battery. |
11-20-2016, 05:25 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Stayton, Oregon
Posts: 3,806
|
Re: 1931 Model A Battery Charge Issue
This looks like the best option. But like said above, get it tested first.
__________________
Fred Kroon 1929 Std Coupe 1929 Huckster |
11-20-2016, 05:53 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Eagle Bend, MN
Posts: 2,025
|
Re: 1931 Model A Battery Charge Issue
Why do people jump to conclusions so easily? With the info given no one can make an informed decision about the condition of your battery. There are a few things you need to check, and post results if you want any kind of informed advice. 1. Check the battery polarity AT THE BATTERY. 2. Check the battery voltage with a good VOM at the battery. 3. Check the voltage at the battery after trickle charging for 24 hours. 4. After charging 24 hours, check the voltage on the battery posts, NOT the battery clamps, while attempting to crank the engine. 5. Use the VOM in current mode to check for any discharge current to see if its killing the battery. (inline with the battery) After these numbers are posted THEN pay attention to the advice you get, anything prior will be only guesses.
__________________
"There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool." |
11-20-2016, 06:00 PM | #12 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Young Harris, GA
Posts: 1,819
|
Re: 1931 Model A Battery Charge Issue
Quote:
__________________
Jim Cannon Former MAFCA Technical Director "Have a Model A day!" |
|
11-20-2016, 06:02 PM | #13 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Stayton, Oregon
Posts: 3,806
|
Re: 1931 Model A Battery Charge Issue
Quote:
__________________
Fred Kroon 1929 Std Coupe 1929 Huckster |
|
11-20-2016, 07:44 PM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 27,582
|
Re: 1931 Model A Battery Charge Issue
What Eagle said X2.
If you take a battery in for testing, be sure to charge it up first. I would use a 6 amp charger and leave it on for a minimum of 12 hours before testing. |
11-20-2016, 07:56 PM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Eagle Bend, MN
Posts: 2,025
|
Re: 1931 Model A Battery Charge Issue
Yes. People jump a vehicle that's dead and drive away, thinking if they just drive it for a few miles its good to go. If a battery in a vehicle goes dead, you need to put it on a low rate charger for overnight to get that battery up to what it should be. Jumping to get you going is fine but when you get home in the evening put it on a slow charger at least overnight. A low rate charge for a longer period of time is much better than a high rate charger. I like a 2 amp motorcycle charger for 24 hours. Will bring many batteries back from the abyss. Don't get me wrong, draining a battery completely is REALLY tough on them but properly charging them when it accidentally happens is very important.
__________________
"There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool." |
11-21-2016, 06:49 PM | #16 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: CALABASAS, CA 91302
Posts: 28
|
Re: 1931 Model A Battery Charge Issue
Take the battery to an auto parts store and have them check it.
|
11-22-2016, 12:50 PM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Ottawa,Ontario, Canada
Posts: 271
|
Re: 1931 Model A Battery Charge Issue
Not that this wasn't checked but I didn't see mention of it. Also make sure the cells haven't gone dry or are low on fluid prior to charging.
|
11-22-2016, 01:32 PM | #18 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Belgistan (formerly known as Belgium)
Posts: 573
|
Re: 1931 Model A Battery Charge Issue
Quote:
What I learned 45 years ago : a battery has to be charged without been connected on the car (so not on the head bolt and starter contact) |
|
11-22-2016, 02:05 PM | #19 |
BANNED
Join Date: May 2012
Location: inside your RAM
Posts: 3,134
|
Re: 1931 Model A Battery Charge Issue
why?
we charge in the car all the time
__________________
'31 180A |
11-22-2016, 02:07 PM | #20 |
BANNED
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 11,454
|
Re: 1931 Model A Battery Charge Issue
|
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|