calcium battery question

**cri_ag** · 10-01-2006, 08:50 PM

i have a calcium battery in my car and has the little funky window on the top that tells you the state of the battery. now my window has gone from happy green to not so happy silver. The multimeter still tells me it has 12.4v and the car doesent hesitate to crank over. do i need to top it up? is it the same procedure as the old lead-acid batterys? i.e. use distilled water? the thing is <6mths old.

**Cool1** · 10-01-2006, 09:42 PM

Are you sure your able to fill it up? I thought that all batteries fitted with that "funky window

" were semi sealed!

**Cool1** · 10-01-2006, 09:43 PM

Oh has the car had a good drive to make sure its not just flat? If so take it back and get a new one.

**cri_ag** · 10-01-2006, 11:20 PM

hmm i thought it could be filled, ill double check in the morning. the car is driven reguarly and it goes a fair distance most of the time. and it shows 12.4v?

**Cool1** · 10-01-2006, 11:30 PM

In that window what you are seeing is a hydrometer which tells you the health of the battery. 12.4v is actually a bit low for a fully charged battery.

**cri_ag** · 10-01-2006, 11:42 PM

well your right i dont think it can be filled. how can i determine if my charging system is at fault or the batery is? go visit the auto elec?

**Cool1** · 10-01-2006, 11:46 PM

Yeah thats the easiest way. Drop into your local battery shop/auto elec and they'll stick a meter on there. Unless your regulator is on its way out, I would say your charging system is fine.

**cri_ag** · 10-01-2006, 11:53 PM

k cheers, i tried to give rep but i need to spread some around first so when you get some random rep you know where it came from.

**Cool1** · 10-01-2006, 11:57 PM

Ahh ok, thanks mate

**CLG** · 11-01-2006, 04:04 PM

It's pretty simple to check your charging rate:

1. Start the car - you may need to jump start it - 12.4v is basically at the threshold of cranking.
2: Turn your headlights on, and hold revs to approximately 1500rpm.
3. Place a multi meter over the terminals - a charge rate of 13.5-14.5 is fine - anything under or over those two rates is suspect and needs further investigation.