Morris Minor Owners Club

i just checked a few car batteries i had lying around because i think one of mine needs replacing.

i have these three:

11.89 (type 048 pavilion)
11.27 (type 063 pavilion)
11.32 (varta)

they were left standing in a garage, and haven't been charged when i took the readings, the type 048 is first in the lineup to be slow charged.

what do you think about the condition so far? worth keeping around?

No way to tell if they have been lying around - charge them up and then try them. A solar charger is worth it's weight in gold......

Open Circuit--------Approximate-------Average Cell
Battery Voltage----State-of-charge---Specific Gravity
------12.65+----------------100%--------------1.265+
------12.45------------------75%---------------1.225
------12.24------------------50%---------------1.190
------12.06------------------25%---------------1.155
------11.89--------------------0%--------------1.120

If any of the cells gas excessively when charging or under a high discharge (engine cranking) they are likely to be scrap. would be worth using hydrometer to test the individual cells once charged
leave to settle for a while after charging before testing though

Thanks. If any of the batteries are under 11.89 before charging are they likely to be scrap?

Not necessarily - charge them!

Nice one. 12.93 on the 063 left an hour after charging. Will check it on load in a bit. Charged overnight.

How long to leave them on charge. Is it ok to permanently connect them on a slow charger. I have an up to 1200cc slow and fast charger.

Going for it today.

Tried a 12v vaccuum cleaner the smaller pavilion didn't like it. The others seem fine with it.

Bmc I attached the solar panel for first time is it likely to charge a battery as quick as a car battery slow charger?

No - it's a long slow trickle charge - basically just keep s a battery nicely topped up - provided it's facing south....... with a clear view of the sky.

A 12v vacuum cleaner isn't really a good test, unless the battery will start a car after it's been charged it's scrap.

Lead acid batteries hate being left flat, they won't last long at all.

Unless a battery has been taken out of a car because the car is going to be scrapped, the chances are it's been replaced because it's scrap itself but has a value as it's full of lead.

I'd suggest you weigh them in to the local non ferrous scrap merchant and put the money you get towards a new battery.

The battery on my pickup was left for 3 years and didn't have enough life in it to even work the oil and ignition lights, gave it an overnight charge and it started the car fine and I am still using it a year and a half later so charge em up and put on a car with the coil disconnected and see if they spin it over for a reasonable time, no point in weighing in a perfectly serviceable battery just because it has been allowed to go flat. They don't always fail if they were in good nick before being allowed to discharge.