Astra battery

Hello,

I'm wondering whether to buy a new battery for my other half's 56 plate Astra 1.4 petrol.

She only does short journeys, which may be part of the problem. It's about 8 miles (one way), or 15 minutes to work.

When we had the cold weather it would not start, only click, so I connected the battery to charge overnight.

Since then it has been ok until she broke down last week. The recovery man started the engine a couple of times to listen to it but on the third attempt it just clicked. She had not had hazard lights or headlamps on, so the battery had not discharged from that. Besides, I thought cars now switched off before lights could flatten the battery that much?

The garage just recharged the battery and the car is starting normally but I'm wondering whether to change the battery before the cold weather comes back?

What is the group's opinion on battery testers like these:

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I have read in old posts some people recommending them because they do test under load, however I found other posts where people did not like them and said it was best to test whether the car would start.

I have connected a multimeter across the battery. With the engine off it reads 12.4V, with the engine on it is 14.4V. The minimum voltage was 9.35V. I started the car a second time and the minimum was 9.55V. Bizarrely I tested it a third time (I don't know why, I must have got carried away) and it only dropped to 10.08V that time. Perhaps everything had warmed up by then?

I'm not sure what these voltages should be. Are these voltages low? Or on the other hand is the fact that I could start the car three times in a row a sign that there is nothing to worry about?

The dealer says a GM battery will be £66. Halfrauds web site says £66, £76 for calcium, or £96 for a Bosch. Should I just get the recommended one? I have heard some people suggest to buy the biggest one that fits the battery holder. Is it worth doing that?

Thanks, Stephen.

Reply to
Stephen
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IMHO the battery is knackered, so I'd just buy a new one and not bother about a tester. I wouldn't pay the extra for a Bosch and you should only get a calcium if the charging system is designed for it. Dealer price doesn't sound bad and hopefully they know what is needed.

8 miles / 15 minutes should be plenty to replace the starting charge, as long as the alternator is OK. I assume the belt isn't slipping (squeaking should make this obvious).
Reply to
Newshound

The starting charge maybe, but not with the overnight losses, the headlights, the heated screen, the fan, the wipers etc.

If the battery voltage is going below ten when cranking the engine then the battery is either discharged or knackered. 12.4 is very low, a charged battery in good condition (that has been left overnight after a charge or use) should show 12.7 or 12.8 in the morning.

Oddly enough I went and rescued an astra recently, it also only gets very short runs and had a very low battery, the battery was a cheapy and looked terrible, so I replaced it with a Bosch (65 quid) and the car has been fine since. I charged the old battery with a super duper pulse charger thingy and after that it gets all the right readings and is now in use as a jump start pack battery. So it seems to me that maybe astra charging (and its self discharge level) is possibly a bit minimal for short journey use, and that a really good battery is a necessity in such a situation.

Reply to
Mrcheerful

That's what I was thinking.

Just asking for future reference ;)

I just quickly copied the prices from the Halfords web site. I wouldn't pay the £90-odd they want for the Bosch but I know some places have them cheaper: Costco? If I could get a Bosch for 60ish perhaps that would make it an attractive deal.

I don't know about the calcium, so I would avoid that.

Thanks.

Reply to
Stephen

the petrol astra bosch at costco is just under 65 quid. but the list they have does not show the right one, so take your tape measure in case you get served by a numpty, most of them know the right ones, but not always (personal experience a few weeks ago)

Reply to
Mrcheerful

test for messages

First post for 3 days, even Google groups show nothing.

Reply to
Mike

I wasn't sure where the problem was. I post off two news reader hosts now my new message is not showing on my ISP host reader.

Reply to
Rob

Have now been to costco, thanks.

I was in Halfords afterwards and saw they were selling Granville bat-aid tablets in their battery section. Too late now I've got a new battery but would they have made a difference? Do they work?

Reply to
Stephen

they make a difference yes, but not enough to be worth buying for a car battery. years ago we used to use them to rejuvenate motorcycle batteries, but in those days there was no electric start or vast loads and they did seem to improve them a bit (usually).

Reply to
Mrcheerful

About as much as the rubbish that they sell to aid work piston rings. Can't really take it back can you?

Reply to
Sam

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