My Accord was becoming more sluggish when starting. Had the battery and charging system checked at AA. The only fault the test found was the battery could use a good charge. I cleaned the posts and cables and connected up the charger. 10 hours later the "charged" light still was not on. I did this to my Pilot this past summer and the light did come on. Battery is 5 years old, but I am told these can last 7-9 years here in the upper midwest. What are some reasons a battery would not fully charge, or might it take 15-20 hours to fully charge?
Battery Not Fully Charging
- Thread starter jackkpts
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check the voltage when the car is idling. Is it past 13.5VDC or more?
Also: battery's longevity is determined by many factors: including the frequency/depth of discharge, operational ambient temperature, construction quality, thickness of the plates, construction/composition of the plates, operational environment (do you run it in a high vibration environment?), etc. etc.
It is always a good idea to get your battery load-tested on a regular basis (every 6mnths) and replace it when it exhibits difficulties in taking in a charge. Your alternator will thank you for that.
Q.
Also: battery's longevity is determined by many factors: including the frequency/depth of discharge, operational ambient temperature, construction quality, thickness of the plates, construction/composition of the plates, operational environment (do you run it in a high vibration environment?), etc. etc.
It is always a good idea to get your battery load-tested on a regular basis (every 6mnths) and replace it when it exhibits difficulties in taking in a charge. Your alternator will thank you for that.
Q.
I wonder if your charger is a charger/conditioner? That might explain the longer charge time. I seldom charge a battery, but when I do I leave it on the lowest amperage for at least 24 hours. Sometimes 2 days, checking to make sure I don't boil the cells dry.
A partially shorted cell could cause this.
I noticed, about a month before it died, that the green "charged" light on my battery maintainer would no longer come on when connected to the battery in my Saab.
When the battery died, it had a shorted cell.
I think the cell was partially shorted previously and that is why the maintainer never indicated that it was charged--the battery was pulling too much current.
I noticed, about a month before it died, that the green "charged" light on my battery maintainer would no longer come on when connected to the battery in my Saab.
When the battery died, it had a shorted cell.
I think the cell was partially shorted previously and that is why the maintainer never indicated that it was charged--the battery was pulling too much current.
Don't forget to check the water level. and use DISTILLED water. Its easy.. it took me a whole 5 min to run out and check mine:
Fill about to where to level starts to come up the hole/tube. NOT all the way full to the tip top. It has to have room for expansion. Generally your good to go as long as the plates are covered. My battery could use a splash, but I didn't have any distilled water on hand.
And there is the other cap for the other 3 holes, I just didn't take any pics of it. Most car batteries have 6 holes.
This battery was bought in 2005 and last time it was checked made about 100 CCA above the rating. About once a year the water level is checked and gets an over night 2 amp charge.
Fill about to where to level starts to come up the hole/tube. NOT all the way full to the tip top. It has to have room for expansion. Generally your good to go as long as the plates are covered. My battery could use a splash, but I didn't have any distilled water on hand.
And there is the other cap for the other 3 holes, I just didn't take any pics of it. Most car batteries have 6 holes.
This battery was bought in 2005 and last time it was checked made about 100 CCA above the rating. About once a year the water level is checked and gets an over night 2 amp charge.
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If battery is 5 years old and your car is becoming sluggish starting, I'd just get a new battery despite that they can get 7 or so years. To many variables involved - battery, driving, climate, charging system etc.
You connected a charger (didn't state what charger). The charger and battery condition will vary on charge times. No matter - I'd get a new battery.
You connected a charger (didn't state what charger). The charger and battery condition will vary on charge times. No matter - I'd get a new battery.
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