General: 70: - can I charge this battery

jack taylor · May 6th, 2020, 21:59

Hi, I have not been able to drive my car for nearly 8 weeks due to lockdown here in spain. On her way out to do shopping in her car my Wife tried to start my volvo but the battery is dead. It has a "sealed for life" battery which I propose to remove and charge but is that safe to do as there doesn't seem to be anyway of venting it. Perhaps the best way is to jump start from my Wifes car. I am sure this is a very basic and silly question but I would rather ask than ruin my battery. Thanks

Luxobarge · May 6th, 2020, 22:04

I stand to be corrected, but I should think that you'll be fine to charge it so long as the charger you are using isn't too high current, i.e. it's a proper one fit for purpose. I've charged many a "sealed for life" battery with no problems.

ITSv40 · May 6th, 2020, 22:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luxobarge

I stand to be corrected, but I should think that you'll be fine to charge it so long as the charger you are using isn't too high current, i.e. it's a proper one fit for purpose. I've charged many a "sealed for life" battery with no problems.

Yes, this ^^^^^

I have charged many 'sealed for life' batteries over the years and never had any problems. My charger charges at 4amps and gradually reduces as charge builds up.

john.wigley · May 6th, 2020, 22:42

I also concur, Jack. My charger behaves in exactly the way that 'ITSv40' describes.

If your battery can accept the full output from the alternator, it will certainly take what is essentially a 'trickle' charge. With three cars to look after, I've also bought a cheap multimeter and check the resting / no load voltage every couple of days or so.

12.6 plus indicates a fully charged battery. A reading of 12.2 is about half charge, and time to recharge. I initially allowed my V70 to fall below 12.0, and needed to resort to my jump starter. It is not a good idea to let it fall much lower, as the charger may struggle and the battery permanently compromised.

Some may recommend fitting one of the smart chargers that are now available, and that of course is the ideal, but there should be no reason for you not to charge your battery in the manner described.

Regards, John.

DaveNP · May 7th, 2020, 11:37

I've recharged sealed batteries from dead before (usually after leaving the sidelights on so as not to drain the battery with the ignition on, then forgetting to turn them off when I turn the ignition off, doh!), I charge mine in the garage so if anything did go wrong it's not exploding/spraying acid/leaking fumes in the house, but essentially you don't get the spattering of acid around you used to get from an old battery bubbling with all of the cell caps out.

jack taylor · May 7th, 2020, 16:20

Hi Guys, as always many thanks for your advices. My old battery charger is marked "Low" for overnight charge and "High" for fast charge. Having regards to your advice I shall go for the "slow", again thanks so much for your help. jack.

Willow place · May 7th, 2020, 17:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by jack taylor

Hi, I have not been able to drive my car for nearly 8 weeks due to lockdown here in spain. On her way out to do shopping in her car my Wife tried to start my volvo but the battery is dead. It has a "sealed for life" battery which I propose to remove and charge but is that safe to do as there doesn't seem to be anyway of venting it. Perhaps the best way is to jump start from my Wifes car. I am sure this is a very basic and silly question but I would rather ask than ruin my battery. Thanks

As you live in "Sunny" Spain why not have a Solar Trickle charger ? Perfect ! That is what I have "IN CASE!" (Also Sunny Spain)

Derek UK · May 7th, 2020, 21:38

If you are going to charge the battery on the bench, perhaps you can arrange the jump leads to keep power to your car from you wife's battery. A bit fiddly to do but it will stop you losing any electrical settings on you car even if it's just the radio presets. You might also lose the ECU memory of how you drive. Do I sound if I know what I am talking about?

Clan · May 7th, 2020, 21:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by jack taylor

Hi, I have not been able to drive my car for nearly 8 weeks due to lockdown here in spain. On her way out to do shopping in her car my Wife tried to start my volvo but the battery is dead. It has a "sealed for life" battery which I propose to remove and charge but is that safe to do as there doesn't seem to be anyway of venting it. Perhaps the best way is to jump start from my Wifes car. I am sure this is a very basic and silly question but I would rather ask than ruin my battery. Thanks

The battery is not sealed it has a vent on the side with a hose , You will need a decent 20A charger and leave on for as long as possible 24 to 48 hours would be good . However these modern batteries do not like being left flat so you might find it's capacity is seriously reduced . Volvo recommend to charge the battery every two weeks in these current conditions on non use .

jack taylor · May 8th, 2020, 16:16

Hi Guys, I am most grateful to you all for the further advice. You certainly do Derek as I had not given any thought to losing "memory". Taking your advice onboard my wife and I took a chance and both went to our cars and "jumped" my volvo and she fired up first time.Our lockdown restrictions are very strict over here and were we to have been seen by old bill a fine of €601.00 would have been imposed. What fun. Stay safe Guys and thanks again to you all. jack

May 6th, 2020, 21:59	#1
jack taylor Master Member Last Online: May 15th, 2022 15:53 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Torrenueva, Costa del Sol	can I charge this battery Hi, I have not been able to drive my car for nearly 8 weeks due to lockdown here in spain. On her way out to do shopping in her car my Wife tried to start my volvo but the battery is dead. It has a "sealed for life" battery which I propose to remove and charge but is that safe to do as there doesn't seem to be anyway of venting it. Perhaps the best way is to jump start from my Wifes car. I am sure this is a very basic and silly question but I would rather ask than ruin my battery. Thanks

May 6th, 2020, 22:04	#2
Luxobarge Premier Member Last Online: Today 17:58 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Horne (Nr. Horley)	I stand to be corrected, but I should think that you'll be fine to charge it so long as the charger you are using isn't too high current, i.e. it's a proper one fit for purpose. I've charged many a "sealed for life" battery with no problems. __________________ Some people are like Slinkies, they serve no useful purpose but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them downstairs.

May 6th, 2020, 22:42	#4
john.wigley VOC Member since 1986 Last Online: Today 19:38 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Leicestershire	I also concur, Jack. My charger behaves in exactly the way that 'ITSv40' describes. If your battery can accept the full output from the alternator, it will certainly take what is essentially a 'trickle' charge. With three cars to look after, I've also bought a cheap multimeter and check the resting / no load voltage every couple of days or so. 12.6 plus indicates a fully charged battery. A reading of 12.2 is about half charge, and time to recharge. I initially allowed my V70 to fall below 12.0, and needed to resort to my jump starter. It is not a good idea to let it fall much lower, as the charger may struggle and the battery permanently compromised. Some may recommend fitting one of the smart chargers that are now available, and that of course is the ideal, but there should be no reason for you not to charge your battery in the manner described. Regards, John. __________________ Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana .....

May 7th, 2020, 11:37	#5
DaveNP Non VOC Member Last Online: May 29th, 2024 18:03 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Milton Keynes	I've recharged sealed batteries from dead before (usually after leaving the sidelights on so as not to drain the battery with the ignition on, then forgetting to turn them off when I turn the ignition off, doh!), I charge mine in the garage so if anything did go wrong it's not exploding/spraying acid/leaking fumes in the house, but essentially you don't get the spattering of acid around you used to get from an old battery bubbling with all of the cell caps out. __________________ David V70 2.5 10v Torslanda Manual 98 Sreg

May 7th, 2020, 16:20	#6
jack taylor Master Member Last Online: May 15th, 2022 15:53 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Torrenueva, Costa del Sol	Hi Guys, as always many thanks for your advices. My old battery charger is marked "Low" for overnight charge and "High" for fast charge. Having regards to your advice I shall go for the "slow", again thanks so much for your help. jack.

May 7th, 2020, 21:38	#8
Derek UK VOC Member Last Online: Today 14:01 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chatham	If you are going to charge the battery on the bench, perhaps you can arrange the jump leads to keep power to your car from you wife's battery. A bit fiddly to do but it will stop you losing any electrical settings on you car even if it's just the radio presets. You might also lose the ECU memory of how you drive. Do I sound if I know what I am talking about?

May 8th, 2020, 16:16	#10
jack taylor Master Member Last Online: May 15th, 2022 15:53 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Torrenueva, Costa del Sol	Hi Guys, I am most grateful to you all for the further advice. You certainly do Derek as I had not given any thought to losing "memory". Taking your advice onboard my wife and I took a chance and both went to our cars and "jumped" my volvo and she fired up first time.Our lockdown restrictions are very strict over here and were we to have been seen by old bill a fine of €601.00 would have been imposed. What fun. Stay safe Guys and thanks again to you all. jack

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)