Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega Electrical and Audio Help => Topic started by: geoffr70 on 08 September 2011, 21:21:02

Title: Sealed car batteries
Post by: geoffr70 on 08 September 2011, 21:21:02
Hello peeps, is it ok to have one of those sealed car batteries in the boot? The idea is to double up on batteries to empower the beast! After a 100 mile blast to Keswick wiith the 'van, lights, radio, and 12v cooler box on it just about started when I got there. It doesn't seem to like hot starts.

The sealed batteries don't give off any fume things do they? So it won't choke me in the cabin?

Thanks peeps :y
Title: Re: Sealed car batteries
Post by: TheBoy on 08 September 2011, 21:23:17
Don't they still have vents  :-/
Title: Re: Sealed car batteries
Post by: Mrs Cakey on 08 September 2011, 21:27:18
Sounds more like a charging fault. Check the battery terminal crimps
Title: Re: Sealed car batteries
Post by: geoffr70 on 08 September 2011, 21:29:01
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Don't they still have vents  :-/

Oh no :'( That's that plan out the window.

Thanks for info
Title: Re: Sealed car batteries
Post by: geoffr70 on 08 September 2011, 21:31:03
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Sounds more like a charging fault. Check the battery terminal crimps

I had that problem when I  got it, the clamps seemed to big for the terminals so wouldn't get a bite even when fully tight. I put some thin strips of lead in to tighten it up and get a good contact
Title: Re: Sealed car batteries
Post by: Andy B on 08 September 2011, 21:32:32
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Don't they still have vents  :-/

Oh no :'( That's that plan out the window.

Thanks for info

I'm with Mrs Cakey, sounds more like an alternator/charging fault.  :-/
Title: Re: Sealed car batteries
Post by: geoffr70 on 08 September 2011, 21:35:53
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Don't they still have vents  :-/

Oh no :'( That's that plan out the window.

Thanks for info

I'm with Mrs Cakey, sounds more like an alternator/charging fault.  :-/

Could it be something daft like the terminals again? The reason is is that it just about started, after I'd pimped the van up in the caravan park, then after a few days of non use it roared into life like it'd just been defibbed.
Title: Re: Sealed car batteries
Post by: Andy B on 08 September 2011, 21:38:53
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Don't they still have vents  :-/

Oh no :'( That's that plan out the window.

Thanks for info

I'm with Mrs Cakey, sounds more like an alternator/charging fault.  :-/

Could it be something daft like the terminals again? The reason is is that it just about started, after I'd pimped the van up in the caravan park, then after a few days of non use it roared into life like it'd just been defibbed.

Have you looked through Kevin W's guide to checking alternator output & battery life? Is the cable to the +ve side getting warm?
Title: Re: Sealed car batteries
Post by: Entwood on 08 September 2011, 21:39:13
I did 500+ miles from Caen to Milieu with the van on, van fridge on max, cool box on the back seat, Radio/CD player, SatNav and a CB radio all on all the time.... and both the car battery AND the van battery were fully charged on arrival ... as they should be :)

It is, without doubt, a charging problem .. either a poor connection somewhere or a FUBAR alternator.

Check KW's guide  to battery charging ..

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1225724099

HTH  :)
Title: Re: Sealed car batteries
Post by: geoffr70 on 08 September 2011, 22:35:41
Oh, something else to do :'( thanks peeps I'll have a gander and work my magic. Still, I've only got a 65 ah battery in there, the VX dealers mumbled something about batteries being on back order, I didn't know what he meant so i left, and an independent battery seller didn't have a higher capacity one that fitted the physical dimensions. I've got a 125ah monster, I'm looking for ways to make that fit.
Title: Re: Sealed car batteries
Post by: henryd on 08 September 2011, 22:58:01
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Oh, something else to do :'( thanks peeps I'll have a gander and work my magic. Still, I've only got a 65 ah battery in there, the VX dealers mumbled something about batteries being on back order, I didn't know what he meant so i left, and an independent battery seller didn't have a higher capacity one that fitted the physical dimensions. I've got a 125ah monster, I'm looking for ways to make that fit.

you can stick as big a battery in as you like/can make fit but it'll still go flat if the charging system aint up to scratch
Title: Re: Sealed car batteries
Post by: geoffr70 on 08 September 2011, 23:43:31
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Oh, something else to do :'( thanks peeps I'll have a gander and work my magic. Still, I've only got a 65 ah battery in there, the VX dealers mumbled something about batteries being on back order, I didn't know what he meant so i left, and an independent battery seller didn't have a higher capacity one that fitted the physical dimensions. I've got a 125ah monster, I'm looking for ways to make that fit.

you can stick as big a battery in as you like/can make fit but it'll still go flat if the charging system aint up to scratch

I know, but bigger is better! :y
Title: Re: Sealed car batteries
Post by: Kevin Wood on 09 September 2011, 00:04:51
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Oh, something else to do :'( thanks peeps I'll have a gander and work my magic. Still, I've only got a 65 ah battery in there, the VX dealers mumbled something about batteries being on back order, I didn't know what he meant so i left, and an independent battery seller didn't have a higher capacity one that fitted the physical dimensions. I've got a 125ah monster, I'm looking for ways to make that fit.

you can stick as big a battery in as you like/can make fit but it'll still go flat if the charging system aint up to scratch

I know, but bigger is better! :y

Better to fix the root cause of the problem, because it will bite you on the @rse one day. :y
Title: Re: Sealed car batteries
Post by: Stallion on 09 September 2011, 01:53:31
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Oh, something else to do :'( thanks peeps I'll have a gander and work my magic. Still, I've only got a 65 ah battery in there, the VX dealers mumbled something about batteries being on back order, I didn't know what he meant so i left, and an independent battery seller didn't have a higher capacity one that fitted the physical dimensions. I've got a 125ah monster, I'm looking for ways to make that fit.

you can stick as big a battery in as you like/can make fit but it'll still go flat if the charging system aint up to scratch

2nd That!!  :y :y
Title: Re: Sealed car batteries
Post by: zirk on 09 September 2011, 10:11:11
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Don't they still have vents  :-/

Yea, but you can tube the vent(s) to the outside world, normally through a rubber grommet through the floor plan, as per BM's.

As said, check charging system, but those 12v coolers can hammer a battery if left unattended.

Chris.
Title: Re: Sealed car batteries
Post by: freecall666 on 09 September 2011, 10:42:13
if i was you i would get a new cooler one with its own battery in it can get them cheaper that before, and plug it in when you are driving and when not unplug it. they are safer as well as all sealed....
Title: Re: Sealed car batteries
Post by: Entwood on 09 September 2011, 11:18:46
Not sure where all this "cooler will hammer a battery/change the cooler" crap stuff is coming from ...

I'm assuming :)  that

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......... After a 100 mile blast to Keswick wiith the 'van, lights, radio, and 12v cooler box on it just about started when I got there.  ...........

means the engine was running, thus the alternator was in the "operating" mode thus should have been supplying electrickery ????

As said before... nowt to do with the cooler .. lots to do with the charging circuit .......
Title: Re: Sealed car batteries
Post by: Kevin Wood on 09 September 2011, 11:51:51
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Not sure where all this "cooler will hammer a battery/change the cooler" crap stuff is coming from ...

I'm assuming :)  that

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......... After a 100 mile blast to Keswick wiith the 'van, lights, radio, and 12v cooler box on it just about started when I got there.  ...........

means the engine was running, thus the alternator was in the "operating" mode thus should have been supplying electrickery ????

As said before... nowt to do with the cooler .. lots to do with the charging circuit .......

Agreed. Those coolers take 3 or 4 Amps, usually. A V6 Omega has a 140 Amp alternator. Something is wrong with the charging system if the battery is getting dragged down whilst driving.
Title: Re: Sealed car batteries
Post by: Andy B on 09 September 2011, 13:16:56
and assuming the cooler is plugged into the rear ciggy lighter, then the ciggy lighter is only live when the ignition is on for early cars & a short time for later cars when the ignition is off.  :y :y
Title: Re: Sealed car batteries
Post by: fiend61 on 14 September 2011, 13:13:34
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I know, but bigger is better

its not the size that matters its the weight behind it   :P