Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: tunnie on 04 December 2015, 12:10:45

Title: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: tunnie on 04 December 2015, 12:10:45
Battery in the 3.2 is not in great shape, it's around 4.5 years old. Lately I can hear it's very slow to turn over and fire, not helped by being used on average once a week.

I see ECP doing good price on 70Ah battery, just £37 which is not bad.

If I buy one and shove it in the garage, any harm in it sitting there for a few weeks/month maybe before fitting?

I intend to keep the 3 year guarantee copy very safe  ::)
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: henryd on 04 December 2015, 12:21:50
Would be better to give it a trickle charge once a month or so,why not just fit the thing and be done with it ???
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: zirk on 04 December 2015, 12:25:33
A new battery will be fine, all batteries should be stored fully charged, the longer you leave them flat the more likely they will deteriorate.
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: tunnie on 04 December 2015, 12:30:06
Would be better to give it a trickle charge once a month or so,why not just fit the thing and be done with it ???

Old one still has some life in it yet, might as well swap it out when it's really, really dead  ;D
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: Nick W on 04 December 2015, 12:35:05
Would be better to give it a trickle charge once a month or so,why not just fit the thing and be done with it ???


Exactly, I've never understood the mentality of buying a replacement and leaving the suspect item in use. Buy and fit the new battery and keep the old one as a spare if you think you will use it. I bet you never do though!
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: edgi on 04 December 2015, 12:37:57
Personally i would change it over once the new battery was purchased. if the old battery is dying then you could always end up driving somewhere and be stranded with the battery packing up completely and not being able to start your car.

But i would see no reason why it wouldnt be ok leaving it for a few weeks, if it has a indicator on it just make sure its showing green, and if you have a multimeter or volt tester i'd attach them to check its levels incase it needs a charge. i dont know how cold your garage is but with it being winter the likes of batteries dont like the low temperature.
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 04 December 2015, 13:02:21
Would be better to give it a trickle charge once a month or so,why not just fit the thing and be done with it ???

Old one still has some life in it yet, might as well swap it out when it's really, really dead  ;D

Strewth......you're even tighter with your money than Mr Emd. ;D ;D

Put the new £37 battery in and be done with it. ;)
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 04 December 2015, 13:08:16
My first post on here since however long was me screaming for help because I thought I had immobiliser issues / engine dead, failed starter motor, you name it... was down to a dead battery (been on charge for two days, but still brown bread)  :D

I am so tight I sometimes hold my breath to save oxygen, but even so, £37 for a 70ah is cheap as chips, just whack it in, get rid of the old one, not worth the potential reduction in the new batteries lifespan by leaving it cold and undercharged for some months... that's assuming that it hasn't been uncharged and cold in the ECP warehouse for the last 6 month, of course, but we're all prey to that, unfortunately!  :)
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: tunnie on 04 December 2015, 13:16:29
Yup, £37 is cheap as chips, hence me looking at getting it.

Problem being, the amount of spare time I have, you could write on the back of a stamp!

Hence asking if it's ok for a few weeks, as I could buy it tomorrow then fit near Christmas when I have some time off  :)
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: tunnie on 04 December 2015, 13:17:23
Link here:

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Vauxhall_Omega_3.2_2002/p/car-parts/car-electrics-and-car-lighting/electrical/car-battery/?444771001&1&deac09b8cc5e1d3febb6a0590e578f70c566aa5d&000020 (http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Vauxhall_Omega_3.2_2002/p/car-parts/car-electrics-and-car-lighting/electrical/car-battery/?444771001&1&deac09b8cc5e1d3febb6a0590e578f70c566aa5d&000020)
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: Andy B on 04 December 2015, 13:25:54
Yup, £37 is cheap as chips, hence me looking at getting it.

Problem being, the amount of spare time I have, you could write on the back of a stamp!

Hence asking if it's ok for a few weeks, as I could buy it tomorrow then fit near Christmas when I have some time off  :)

It'll only take you 10 mins ..... max  ;)

I've just bought a battery for SWMBO's C3 ...... that was the best part of £100. I know I could have bought cheaper, but as the car has been having a few electrickery problems (on a Citroen?  ???  ;D) that the dealer  have been very helpful with, I bought mine from the dealer.
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: biggriffin on 04 December 2015, 13:31:07
Why not just fit the new battery. :)
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 04 December 2015, 13:57:00
If the battery is iffy now, it will leave you stranded the first morning / evening it gets properly cold.

Plus, as said, the new one will deteriorate if you don't keep it charged.

It makes sense just to fit it and have done with it. What does it cost? Half a tank of petrol?

Do check the charging is OK as per my guide, though. :y
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 04 December 2015, 13:58:30
Oh, and if the car does only get used once a week, it might be worth putting it on a CTek conditioner or si9milar while it's parked up this time of year.
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: tunnie on 04 December 2015, 14:10:22
Yeah I should stick it on a trickle charger, I've got one for the bike, which reminds me I need to put that on charge too.
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: 05omegav6 on 04 December 2015, 14:18:13
Yeah I should stick it on a trickle charger, I've got one for the bike, which reminds me I need to put that on charge too.
If the key works in the drivers door, do one of two things when not using it, but don't say which... disconnect the negative terminal, then lock the car manually. Or lock the car bonnet open, pull fuses 5 and 6 from the box above the battery, close bonnet. :y
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: tunnie on 04 December 2015, 14:52:23
Good idea, but MrsT uses the car on days I don't expect her to, so needs to be ready to rock.

Hence new battery, but never have any spare time at the moment. Just need to make time  :)
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: Andy B on 04 December 2015, 14:53:29
....
Hence new battery, but never have any spare time at the moment. Just need to make time  :)

Get off the interweb & go & fit it  ::) ::)
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: tunnie on 04 December 2015, 15:05:15
....
Hence new battery, but never have any spare time at the moment. Just need to make time  :)

Get off the interweb & go & fit it  ::) ::)

Could do, although I'm at work and 3.2 is at home  :P
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: Andy B on 04 December 2015, 15:12:52
....

Could do, although I'm at work and  ....

Busy then ......  ::)
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: tunnie on 04 December 2015, 15:13:16
Very  :)
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: Nick W on 04 December 2015, 16:00:26
Good idea, but MrsT uses the car on days I don't expect her to, so needs to be ready to rock.

Hence new battery, but never have any spare time at the moment. Just need to make time  :)


Take a 10mm spanner, and a 13mm socket on an extension and ratchet with you when you buy the battery. Fit it and get them to dispose of the old one. That might take 5minutes longer than just collecting the battery.


Your limited usage of the car might warrant spending a little more for a higher quality battery
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 04 December 2015, 19:45:43
It'll be fine.   :y
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: DrAndyB on 04 December 2015, 19:56:00
I see ECP doing good price on 70Ah battery, just £37 which is not bad.

If I buy one ....

That's a steal for that Price  :D  I paid double that (but was a Bosch one  ;))

Get that Purse out and get a new one on the Mota  :y

Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: JoeRadosavljevich on 04 December 2015, 20:29:10
save the radio code
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: tunnie on 04 December 2015, 20:38:10
save the radio code

No need, NCDC 2013  :)
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: GastronomicKleptomaniac on 04 December 2015, 20:53:41
By Christ, I've been pissing about with a charger on the MV6 for the last few weeks, being a tight northerner (and convincing the neighbours its one of those plug in hybrids)... £37 is a cracking deal. I'll send MrsGK to get one, and if shes feeling handy she can fit it too... :y
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: flyer 0712 on 04 December 2015, 21:21:12
they must be in the shop a while before selling them so should be ok....you could leave it for a week or so and then discharge it by clipping a bulb to it and then charge it back up...this way if a battery is stored it stops the plates in the battery from sulfation and keeps the battery in good condition and alive..
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: zirk on 04 December 2015, 22:46:45
Link here:

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Vauxhall_Omega_3.2_2002/p/car-parts/car-electrics-and-car-lighting/electrical/car-battery/?444771001&1&deac09b8cc5e1d3febb6a0590e578f70c566aa5d&000020 (http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Vauxhall_Omega_3.2_2002/p/car-parts/car-electrics-and-car-lighting/electrical/car-battery/?444771001&1&deac09b8cc5e1d3febb6a0590e578f70c566aa5d&000020)
Use Promo code GIFT10 on checkout for another 10% off.

And or get 15% cashback on Topcashback.

 :y
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: tunnie on 05 December 2015, 00:15:16
Link here:

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Vauxhall_Omega_3.2_2002/p/car-parts/car-electrics-and-car-lighting/electrical/car-battery/?444771001&1&deac09b8cc5e1d3febb6a0590e578f70c566aa5d&000020 (http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Vauxhall_Omega_3.2_2002/p/car-parts/car-electrics-and-car-lighting/electrical/car-battery/?444771001&1&deac09b8cc5e1d3febb6a0590e578f70c566aa5d&000020)
Use Promo code GIFT10 on checkout for another 10% off.

And or get 15% cashback on Topcashback.

 :y

Cheers. Will try that  :y
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: tunnie on 05 December 2015, 00:28:50
Cheers for that, worked a treat. Ordered the 70Ah battery for just £33.74, plus I get a free gift  :D

Even got free delivery, so saves me going to pick it up, really can't complain at that.  :y
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: zirk on 05 December 2015, 02:37:07
Cheers for that, worked a treat. Ordered the 70Ah battery for just £33.74, plus I get a free gift  :D

Even got free delivery, so saves me going to pick it up, really can't complain at that.  :y
Glad it worked,  ;)
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: robson on 05 December 2015, 09:26:04
My classic car battery has been on the car for over 15 yrs and is laid  up most of the time but it always has a conditioner connected.Dont ask me how much electricity it has used over that period.
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: steve6367 on 05 December 2015, 09:33:17
Cheers for that, worked a treat. Ordered the 70Ah battery for just £33.74, plus I get a free gift  :D

Even got free delivery, so saves me going to pick it up, really can't complain at that.  :y

I just get:


"Sorry,

 Lion Batteries are currently not available for home delivery.

Please use the 'Click & Collect' Option to check stock & reserve your item, at your local store. "

 :(
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: tunnie on 05 December 2015, 10:10:27
Maybe they have run out near you?  :-\ - But I thought the delivery vans just operate out of the local stores?

Worth collecting though, even at that price.  :y

I'm fully aware they won't be as good as say Bosch, but I'm keeping the receipt safe, so I can replace it in 2 years  ::)
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: zirk on 05 December 2015, 13:19:48
You can collect, still get free Gift and 10% but not sure if you get the Top cashback.

Should work something like this -

Sign In to Topcashback, go to ECP,
Click 4th option down, 10% off Batteries and Gift.
Go's to ECP,
Buy Battery for Delivery, £37
Check Out and enter GIFT10 in promo box.
Battery gets 10% off, now £33.70
Free Winter Pack gets added, worth £20.
Checkout and pay,
Additional £5.30 (-15.75%) gets added to your Top cashback account.
So in theory battery costs, £28.40 plus free £20 Gift.  :y

Don't blame me if the Top cashback thing doesn't work with other promo's, you know what there like.
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: JoeRadosavljevich on 06 December 2015, 21:59:38
My classic car battery has been on the car for over 15 yrs and is laid  up most of the time but it always has a conditioner connected.Dont ask me how much electricity it has used over that period.

How much electricity has it used over the period?
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: Bigron on 06 December 2015, 22:21:35
I'm not sure you should be worrying about the trivial eergy useage of a trickle-charger, but let's try....
It's unlikely that trickling a full battery will use more than 10 watts at the outside, so over a day you have 240W-h, or approx. 1/4 kW-h, which is roughly 2kW-h per week, or 2 Units per week at whatever it costs you from your energy supplier. This is approx. 100 Units per year, and if you assume 15 years of constant trickle (unlikely?), 1,500 Units - did you really want to know this?

Ron.
Title: Re: Leave new battery standing?
Post by: robson on 07 December 2015, 13:22:33
Is a trickle charger the same as a conditioner. As I have sold my classic car I no longer have to worry about the cost. :y