Dynamo and sealed battery

Post by **MilitantGraham** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 10:16 am

It's time for a new battery on Helen's minor.
I've lent her a spare Land Rover one for now, but we will have to buy a new one soon.
Now, I seem to remember being told that the modern sealed, maintenance free batteries should only be used with a modern alternator. Something to do with dynamo voltage being too variable and wandering too far either side of the required 13.8 volts (or is it 14.2 ?)
Is this true ?
Should I make sure we get the old fashioned screw top type so I can top it up when neccesary, or doesn't it really matter ?

Post by **Pyoor_Kate** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 10:42 am

Uh, I suspect that's not true.

I've had 'sealed for life' batteries on my car ever since I got her (she came with one) without any problems. You'll generally find, incidentally, that they're not in the slightest bit sealed for life, they've just got a sticker over the screw-tops.

Post by **57traveller** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 1:54 pm

Had the same "sealed for life" battery on my alternator equipped everyday Traveller for the past 3 years with no ill effects. If it's like most there are removable plugs on top so that the electrolyte level can be maintained, if necessary. It does drop slightly over time. I just treat these batteries as a conventional type.

Post by **Willie** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 2:45 pm

After an item on this board I checked my Halfords 'Sealed for life'
battery which was three and a half years old and it took 1/3rd of
a litre!! It is better to buy one with removeable tops so that you
can check it. (the battery is now over five years old and is working
perfectly).

Post by **Vernon** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 2:46 pm

I read somewhere (Technical Tips?) that batteries used with dynamos need topping up more often, so as long as you can do that with a supposedly "sealed for life" battery you will be OK.

Post by **MilitantGraham** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 3:03 pm

Thanks for the replies everyone.
If the only difference between a normal and a "sealed" battery is how hard it is to get the tops off, I'll just get whichever they have got in stock.

Post by **Scott** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 5:29 am

MilitantGraham wrote:Now, I seem to remember being told that the modern sealed, maintenance free batteries should only be used with a modern alternator. Something to do with dynamo voltage being too variable and wandering too far either side of the required 13.8 volts (or is it 14.2 ?)

It's the lead calcium batteries that are supposed to be used with the modern, higher voltage alternators. These batteries are most definitely sealed.
That being said, I run my cars with ex-warranty Land Rover lead calcium batteries. Two run the original dynamo, the other four run alternators (but not "modern" ones).

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 3:22 pm

Graham
Thats an interesting rock & roll Landy in your signature

Post by **MilitantGraham** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 7:59 pm

Thanks Scott, I should have said I meant the ordinary maintenance free type, not the lead calcium or gel type.

Kevin, that's me three weeks after passing my driving test and three days after buying my first "car", a V8 Series 2. It didn't take me long to find out a Land Rover is no match for a motorbike on side slopes.

Morris Minor Owners Club

Dynamo and sealed battery

Dynamo and sealed battery

sealed for life

Re: Dynamo and sealed battery