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Author
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Topic: Battery problems, corrosion...optima battery?
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streetstang67
Gearhead Posts: 323
From: SC, USA
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted 10-06-2003 05:42 PM
   
I have a simple exide battery, supposed to be "maintenence free", and there is corrosion everywhere near it. I already re-did the battery box once. Everytime after I drive the car, I check the battery out, and I can hear it sizzling and popping and acid is slowing coming out the top (I can't see acid oozing out, but thats got to be the cause of the corrosion). I also have to add water to the battery often. I tried a heat shield, but no luck. I think a sealed battery would be a good fix. Has anybody else had this problem? How did you fix it?
Thoughts on a sealed battery? optima?I was worried about the optima working well on an older car with a charging system not as good as newer cars. BTW, the voltage regulator and alternator are new.
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adragon8u
Gearhead Posts: 795
From: oceano, Ca. USA
Registered: Mar 2003
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posted 10-06-2003 05:46 PM
I could be wrong(and I have been on many occasion) but I'd still check the output voltage of your charging system. it could be overcharging. I only say that because it happened to mine.------------------
66 coupe
289
C4 auto
90 ranger 2.3
95 Aspire
"someone who knows how will always have a job working for someone who knows why"
http://webpages.charter.net/adragon8u/mystang
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Stang28965
Gearhead Posts: 411
From: Webster New York USA
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 10-06-2003 06:05 PM
I agress with Adragon8u, Check how much voltage that sucker is getting. The optima is a real nice battery, I think you would be very happy with it.
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 12015
From: Reno Nv USA MEM#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 10-06-2003 07:05 PM
I put the red top optima in my car about 2 mo's ago so far so good.My car has sat a lot too since I've put it in the battery.But starts right up every time.Summit had them on sell for about $50.My old battery was starting to leak alittle.But that may have been do to being mounted side ways in the trunk.------------------
SCOOP 2.26 60'S
14.9 @ 90.86MPH 65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics
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Tea'sGrabber
Gearhead Posts: 189
From: Seattle, Wash.
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 10-07-2003 01:24 PM
The battery is probably not leaking... What you are hearing is the plates being over worked....ie charging system is not working properly....The battery could also have been internally shorted... it could have a coulple burnt plates and having to work the other twice as hard....Have the battery checked....not at Sears,Shucks, but by someone who can test it under a load.... Maintenence free doesn't mean you don't have to check water levels...It's a marketing ploy!!!!The corrosion is being caused by the fumes from a warm battery...------------------
Todd 71 Mav Grabber All orig 306 cu.in. Cast Iron heads. Carillo Rods.Best et. 10.71 @ 124 thru the mufflers.
http://mustangsandmore.50megs.com/MembersPics/TeasGrabber.html
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mystuffonline
Journeyman Posts: 13
From: Lufkin, Texas
Registered: May 2003
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posted 10-07-2003 02:39 PM
It all sounds like good advice, I would definitely check the charging system, I have seen voltage regulators that did weird things right out of the box.
I know you will be pleased with an Optima battery, I had one in a 76 jeep that worked great and you can mount it in any position. But a new battery will only delay problems from happening again if you have a faulty charging system. I agree with everyone else, it sounds like it is overcharging or has a short in the battery.------------------
Scott
'69 Coupe Grande 351W
in progress
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streetstang67
Gearhead Posts: 323
From: SC, USA
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted 10-07-2003 06:41 PM
How do I check the charging system?
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adragon8u
Gearhead Posts: 795
From: oceano, Ca. USA
Registered: Mar 2003
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posted 10-07-2003 06:52 PM
If you have access to a volt meter, your alternator should be putting out about 14.5 volts? anybody out there want to confirm or correct me on this? as I'm not absolutely sure.------------------
66 coupe
289
C4 auto
90 ranger 2.3
95 Aspire
"someone who knows how will always have a job working for someone who knows why"
http://webpages.charter.net/adragon8u/mystang
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travs69
Gearhead Posts: 122
From: Bethalto, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 10-10-2003 02:18 AM
I'm pretty sure you wanna be around 14. I had a alternator that would put out 22+ volts.. friend voltage regulators all day long till I figured out what was wrong.
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70SportsRoof
Gearhead Posts: 777
From: Phoenix, AZ
Registered: Dec 2001
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posted 10-10-2003 12:07 PM
Most parts stores, like Auto Zone can run a test of the charging system real quick. They just run out to car, check the starting (see how much starter is drawing) and will check charging (around 14 is what you want).------------------
Gary M.
1946 Ford pickup
1946 Ford pickup
1957 Ford FL 500 Twn Vic
1970 Mustang SportsRoof
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N266fords
Gearhead Posts: 708
From: Spokane ,WA USA
Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 10-10-2003 01:53 PM
you could have 14.4 volts and be putting out to much or to little current I.E. (amps). The only way to tell is by how many amps and volts together. You also could have a weak or damaged plate in the battery. bruce
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adragon8u
Gearhead Posts: 795
From: oceano, Ca. USA
Registered: Mar 2003
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posted 10-10-2003 02:08 PM
Things may work different on car electrics than basic electronics so if I'm wrong please correct me. But I don't believe current output is an issue if it's too high because the system drawing the current will not take more than it requires(unless of course there is a short, but then you start popping fuses)low current on the other hand will take longer to charge. This is the rule in basic electronics, but it may be different for automotive.------------------
66 coupe
289
C4 auto
90 ranger 2.3
95 Aspire
"someone who knows how will always have a job working for someone who knows why"
http://webpages.charter.net/adragon8u/mystang [This message has been edited by adragon8u (edited 10-10-2003).] [This message has been edited by adragon8u (edited 10-10-2003).]
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N266fords
Gearhead Posts: 708
From: Spokane ,WA USA
Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 10-10-2003 02:12 PM
My point is you could have 14.5 volts and still have a charging problem. To little current (amps) and you cant restore the battery with enough of a charge. to much and you could over charge and smoke some wires or fry your plates. Just adding some info sorry to confuse anyone including myself. Bruce
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adragon8u
Gearhead Posts: 795
From: oceano, Ca. USA
Registered: Mar 2003
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posted 10-10-2003 04:09 PM
quote:
Originally posted by N266fords:
My point is you could have 14.5 volts and still have a charging problem. To little current (amps) and you cant restore the battery with enough of a charge. to much and you could over charge and smoke some wires or fry your plates. Just adding some info sorry to confuse anyone including myself. Bruce
No problem, it's just that my understanding of electronics sometimes gets in the way of automotive diagnostics. but a charging system putting out too many amps is not a problem, it's when the item recieving the charge is drawing too many amps. ohms law will help determine what it should be. if you can determine the amount of line resistance in the system. E (volts) devided by R (resistence) will tell you what I (current) should be. of course, this is just simple ohms law, and not really being a mechanic, i'm not sure that this would apply here. but if the current is too high, I would check for shorts.
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