Topic: Battery (Read 2520 times)

Martin_1962 · « **on:** 06 July 2007, 09:24:51 »

I need a new battery - can't get into the seal GM one to refill it

£62 from local stealer, trying Halfrauds next

TheBoy · « **Reply #1 on:** 06 July 2007, 09:30:47 »

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I need a new battery - can't get into the seal GM one to refill it

£62 from local stealer, trying Halfrauds next

No, cannot top up seal for life batteries.

As to cost, serves you bloody well right! How long have I been banging on to you to get a TC card? £34 + VAT on TC

holey head · « **Reply #2 on:** 06 July 2007, 09:32:26 »

try motorsave think it's only 50 anone near me
how can i get a tc card?

TheBoy · « **Reply #3 on:** 06 July 2007, 09:36:11 »

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how can i get a tc card?

If you are in the trade, walk in dealer and apply.

If you are not, join a VBOA club such as www.autobahnstormers.co.uk for £20 annually (they are normally quickest, Migweb £15 but slower). Beware that VxON for the last year have NOT been getting out cards, so probably worth avoiding for now.

Disadvantage of getting the card through a club is no access to the price lists.

Martin_1962 · « **Reply #4 on:** 06 July 2007, 09:41:35 »

Haven't been able to blag one yet - tried two or three times, with AutoVaux and Vauxhall Parts Warehouse I haven't needed to - just look shocked at their prices then go to one of the above.

Parts staff are newish so don't remember my late father in law who used to work there about 10 years ago, compared to the chap who did my MOT & cruise who asked after my MIL.

Anyway there is a motor factors and Halfrauds to try next.

Martin_1962 · « **Reply #5 on:** 06 July 2007, 09:43:05 »

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No, cannot top up seal for life batteries.

Done this in the past, lever off lid, top up, get another year or so!

Martin_1962 · « **Reply #6 on:** 06 July 2007, 09:53:31 »

Well when it was Wadham something trade prices were easy for the year or so we had the Carlton before FIL retirement - ask the FIL. Managed to blag for about 2 years after but staff change and people get forgotten.

The last three garages my dad worked at were all pretty good, Peugeot for quite a few years until closure after buying Talbot and merging dealer network, BMW until closed by a tosspot at Lloyds while the account manager was on holiday*, then Subaru & Skoda until retirement.

*Stealer in another town was moaning about losing business to the one my dad worked at, since the manager knew someone at BWM UK they managed to get the franchise pulled, while legal battles were going on a bank w**ker (or or an) who looked after accounts during their managers holiday pulled the plug.

The stealer who cost my dad his job were rubbish at servicing, oh and I found out the managers son was cheating on his girlfriend or fiance!!

My dad went straight between Peugeot and BMW but took a while to go to the garage down the road.

Anyway I do tend to worry about garage servicing, and get annoyed at not being able to blag cheap prices!

Kevin Wood · « **Reply #7 on:** 06 July 2007, 10:09:57 »

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Done this in the past, lever off lid, top up, get another year or so!

Me too. A Bat-aid tablet every so often helps too.

The RAC man was amazed to see an original fitment battery in my 1997 Laguna when he had to rescue me after it finally died about 9 months ago at Membury services. He said practically all of those batteries failed at 2.3 - 3 years.

Kevin

TheBoy · « **Reply #8 on:** 06 July 2007, 10:37:02 »

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Haven't been able to blag one yet - tried two or three times

Pay the £20 for ABS - you will make this up straight away, worth every penny. Send cheque off today, you'll probably have it by next weekend.

TheBoy · « **Reply #9 on:** 06 July 2007, 10:38:16 »

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No, cannot top up seal for life batteries.

Done this in the past, lever off lid, top up, get another year or so!

Any risk it letting you down? Been there, learned my lesson (and for those who know me, thats why there is always a set of jumpleads in boot)

Martin_1962 · « **Reply #10 on:** 06 July 2007, 10:43:13 »

Stealer - £62.28

Halfrauds - £61.99 to £71.99

Motor Factors next

Martin_1962 · « **Reply #11 on:** 06 July 2007, 10:44:57 »

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No, cannot top up seal for life batteries.

Done this in the past, lever off lid, top up, get another year or so!
Any risk it letting you down? Been there, learned my lesson (and for those who know me, thats why there is always a set of jumpleads in boot)

Topping up battery water is maintenance, has been since my first bike (moped had no battery)

TheBoy · « **Reply #12 on:** 06 July 2007, 10:47:18 »

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No, cannot top up seal for life batteries.

Done this in the past, lever off lid, top up, get another year or so!
Any risk it letting you down? Been there, learned my lesson (and for those who know me, thats why there is always a set of jumpleads in boot)

Topping up battery water is maintenance, has been since my first bike (moped had no battery)

Diluting it in the process.

TheBoy · « **Reply #13 on:** 06 July 2007, 10:48:35 »

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Stealer - £62.28
Halfrauds - £61.99 to £71.99

Motor Factors next

Or £40 for Vx 'GO' one, + £20 for the TC card.

So £60, and get a free TC card out of it

See, paid for itself already

Kevin Wood · « **Reply #14 on:** 06 July 2007, 10:50:00 »

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Diluting it in the process.

Only thing that can bet out of a battery is water vapour, so it actually dilutes it back to the strength it should be!

Kevin

TheBoy · « **Reply #15 on:** 06 July 2007, 10:58:45 »

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Diluting it in the process.

Only thing that can bet out of a battery is water vapour, so it actually dilutes it back to the strength it should be!

Kevin

Unless things have changed since I did an A Level project on rechargable battery technologies, the acid can as well....

But, either way, tbh, on a sealed battery, you are only delaying the day it will fail, possibly more inconveniently...

Kevin Wood · « **Reply #16 on:** 06 July 2007, 11:09:55 »

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Unless things have changed since I did an A Level project on rechargable battery technologies, the acid can as well....

OK. I suspect the main issue with the vehicle I have to top up regularly is underbonnet temperatures and I think that will only drive off water through evaporation? I may be wrong though.

It certainly doesn't take that long (9 months maybe) before the electrolyte level uncovers the plates and, soon after that, it has trouble cranking the engine.

Kevin

TheBoy · « **Reply #17 on:** 06 July 2007, 11:21:57 »

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Unless things have changed since I did an A Level project on rechargable battery technologies, the acid can as well....

OK. I suspect the main issue with the vehicle I have to top up regularly is underbonnet temperatures and I think that will only drive off water through evaporation? I may be wrong though.

It certainly doesn't take that long (9 months maybe) before the electrolyte level uncovers the plates and, soon after that, it has trouble cranking the engine.

Kevin

Don't know about that - my project involved abusing it from a charging/discharging (the real motive was because I was into radio controlled car racing at time, and we charged from 12v batteries. But I got a good mark for the project

)

Martin_1962 · « **Reply #18 on:** 06 July 2007, 11:22:49 »

PartCo

£52.76

Kevin Wood · « **Reply #19 on:** 06 July 2007, 11:39:23 »

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Don't know about that - my project involved abusing it from a charging/discharging (the real motive was because I was into radio controlled car racing at time, and we charged from 12v batteries. But I got a good mark for the project)

Sounds fun! My project was investigating how transistors performed at elevated temperatures. Elevated in this case meant burying them in sand in an old baked bean tin and training all the bunson burners in the lab at it

A mate of mine did penetration of air pistol pellets into plasticine, although that got knocked on the head early after a clueless supply teacher picked up the loaded air pistol and inadvertently took a pot shot at the class!

Happy days! I bet schools are a bit dumbed down these days...

Kevin

TheBoy · « **Reply #20 on:** 06 July 2007, 12:12:53 »

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Don't know about that - my project involved abusing it from a charging/discharging (the real motive was because I was into radio controlled car racing at time, and we charged from 12v batteries. But I got a good mark for the project)

Sounds fun! My project was investigating how transistors performed at elevated temperatures. Elevated in this case meant burying them in sand in an old baked bean tin and training all the bunson burners in the lab at it

A mate of mine did penetration of air pistol pellets into plasticine, although that got knocked on the head early after a clueless supply teacher picked up the loaded air pistol and inadvertently took a pot shot at the class!

Happy days! I bet schools are a bit dumbed down these days...

Kevin

I heard that bunsen burners are not allowed to be used by pupils in some schools

Marks DTM Calib · « **Reply #21 on:** 06 July 2007, 12:24:35 »

6 years from a battery on a car with the electrical goodies of an Omega is pretty good going...

Martin_1962 · « **Reply #22 on:** 06 July 2007, 12:27:47 »

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6 years from a battery on a car with the electrical goodies of an Omega is pretty good going...

a) Just paid for a years road tax
b) Just bought a crank sensor
c) Got to pay caravan storage
d) Going outs are greater than coming ins!

Martin_1962 · « **Reply #23 on:** 06 July 2007, 13:36:45 »

Sureparts Redditch £38 + VAT

TheBoy · « **Reply #24 on:** 06 July 2007, 13:40:30 »

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Sureparts Redditch £38 + VAT

Still can't beat TC price yet - and we know genuine parts are good quality...

geoff · « **Reply #25 on:** 06 July 2007, 15:00:01 »

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Sureparts Redditch £38 + VAT
Still can't beat TC price yet - and we know genuine parts are good quality...

would not be tempted to by cheaper battery,i agree genuine gm battery can last a lot longer than cheaper alternative,my first battery cheap one only lasted two years and packed up,gone for gm one this time two years down the line still spot on

x25xe · « **Reply #26 on:** 06 July 2007, 15:21:19 »

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No, cannot top up seal for life batteries.

Done this in the past, lever off lid, top up, get another year or so!
Any risk it letting you down? Been there, learned my lesson (and for those who know me, thats why there is always a set of jumpleads in boot)

Agreed. At the first sign of a battery failing, I change it without delay. I find the Vaux GO range to be reasonably priced even without a TC.

Martin_1962 · « **Reply #27 on:** 06 July 2007, 15:23:31 »

I'll see how it goes - cheap due to trade prices

x25xe · « **Reply #28 on:** 06 July 2007, 15:24:54 »

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Don't know about that - my project involved abusing it from a charging/discharging (the real motive was because I was into radio controlled car racing at time, and we charged from 12v batteries. But I got a good mark for the project)

Sounds fun! My project was investigating how transistors performed at elevated temperatures. Elevated in this case meant burying them in sand in an old baked bean tin and training all the bunson burners in the lab at it

A mate of mine did penetration of air pistol pellets into plasticine, although that got knocked on the head early after a clueless supply teacher picked up the loaded air pistol and inadvertently took a pot shot at the class!

Happy days! I bet schools are a bit dumbed down these days...

Kevin

Yep, schools certainly are dumbed down owing to the fear of an accident and being sued. I think that the science section of the curriculum needs sorting. For example, the method described above would not even be considered these days which I think is a very great pity.

TheBoy · « **Reply #29 on:** 06 July 2007, 18:50:52 »

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I'll see how it goes - cheap due to trade prices

Yeah, I have a UniFart one on the MV6, got it at trade, around £40. All I can say is its replacement will be GM...

Martin_1962 · « **Reply #30 on:** 06 July 2007, 19:29:42 »

Exide 44.95 incl VAT so not too bad 3 year guarantee

TheBoy · « **Reply #31 on:** 06 July 2007, 19:40:49 »

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Exide 44.95 incl VAT so not too bad 3 year guarantee

sorry, only trying to save you money....

Taxi_Driver · « **Reply #32 on:** 06 July 2007, 20:19:53 »

Ive got one you can have Martin for a tenner.......tho its not new.....you have to start the car everyday and run for hours..to charge it......leave at few days and you'll be knackered.....it wont hold charge for more than a few days.....

Took it off my veccyB about 6 months ago and put a GO battery on it......less than £30 iirc TC price.

Should have bunged it back on the veccyB......buggar too late now....James has seen the GO battery on it now

Kevin Wood · « **Reply #33 on:** 06 July 2007, 20:58:41 »

If it's been sitting for 6 months and was a bit suspect beforehand I'd wager that it's now completely knackered. I have done this in the past with batteries that wouldn't quite start the car but I thought would "come in handy". Once they've been left for a while they've had it.

Kevin

TheBoy · « **Reply #34 on:** 06 July 2007, 21:04:31 »

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If it's been sitting for 6 months and was a bit suspect beforehand I'd wager that it's now completely knackered. I have done this in the past with batteries that wouldn't quite start the car but I thought would "come in handy". Once they've been left for a while they've had it.

Kevin

I concur

Markjay · « **Reply #35 on:** 06 July 2007, 21:48:28 »

Martin - PM sent

Martin_1962 · « **Reply #36 on:** 06 July 2007, 22:59:36 »

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Exide 44.95 incl VAT so not too bad 3 year guarantee
sorry, only trying to save you money....

Thanks

I know but I was desperate.

I WILL do ABS soon though!

Still I managed quite a good price in the end

Martin_1962 · « **Reply #37 on:** 06 July 2007, 23:00:12 »

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Martin - PM sent

Replied

Taxi_Driver · « **Reply #38 on:** 06 July 2007, 23:00:51 »

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If it's been sitting for 6 months and was a bit suspect beforehand I'd wager that it's now completely knackered. I have done this in the past with batteries that wouldn't quite start the car but I thought would "come in handy". Once they've been left for a while they've had it.

Kevin
I concur

Ummm......i was joking guys

.....bat is knackered....

Tho if u want Martin i can get you one on TC.....sat morning....James is coming to pick up veccy sunday....so can give to him and you can collect it off him.....upto you m8

Martin_1962 · « **Reply #39 on:** 07 July 2007, 09:10:18 »

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If it's been sitting for 6 months and was a bit suspect beforehand I'd wager that it's now completely knackered. I have done this in the past with batteries that wouldn't quite start the car but I thought would "come in handy". Once they've been left for a while they've had it.

Kevin
I concur

Ummm......i was joking guys .....bat is knackered....

Tho if u want Martin i can get you one on TC.....sat morning....James is coming to pick up veccy sunday....so can give to him and you can collect it off him.....upto you m8

THanks for the TC offer but I got a battery at similar cost with 3 year guarantee from Sureparts

JamesV6CDX · « **Reply #40 on:** 07 July 2007, 09:48:08 »

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Ive got one you can have Martin for a tenner.......tho its not new.....you have to start the car everyday and run for hours..to charge it......leave at few days and you'll be knackered.....it wont hold charge for more than a few days.....

Took it off my veccyB about 6 months ago and put a GO battery on it......less than £30 iirc TC price.

Should have bunged it back on the veccyB......buggar too late now....James has seen the GO battery on it now

Martin_1962 · « **Reply #41 on:** 07 July 2007, 13:44:19 »

Well the remote didn't work, opened the door alarm went off, then tried the ignition no luck - popped open the bonnet then the power sounder joined in.

Jumped off the new battery to open the boot

off on pull off lead then swap over the battery

All OK now

News:

Author Topic: Battery (Read 2520 times)

Martin_1962

Martin_1962

Martin_1962

Martin_1962

Martin_1962

Martin_1962

Martin_1962

Martin_1962

Martin_1962

Martin_1962

Martin_1962

Taxi_Driver

Martin_1962

Martin_1962

Taxi_Driver

Martin_1962

Martin_1962