Date:         Sat, 8 Jan 2005 18:56:27 -0500
Reply-To:     tolga <tolga@MAC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         tolga <tolga@MAC.COM>
Subject:      Re: charging system problem? battery sitting for a while.
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Thanks Dennis and Jim for your input.

In answer to the question re corrosion, the terminals and connectors are
all in like new shape.  I clean them regularly with a wire brush to keep
them working well.

After shutting down the van and leaving it to charge a few more hours the
battery has climbed to 12.5V.  I will leave it on the 2A setting
overnight (it's a pretty new charger and wasn't cheap so I'm confident
it's working).  Temps outside here have been in the 20's ('F) so that may
be contributing to the battery's low Voltage.

My main concern is the health of my alternator.  Should I be reading the
13.8V from the alt?  I cleaned the terminals on it well before measuring
earlier and only got 11.6-11.8V.  If the battery was very low would that
also be reflected in lower voltage at the alternator?

Thanks!
  Tolga

>Alternator is suspect, but first check connections to battery making sure
>that the terminals and connectors are shiny clean and then check the
>connection at the starter stud for a good clean solid connection. Best to
>have battery disconnected to check that one.
>
>Put the battery on the charger for a longer period and see if it will charg=e
>back up.  Wet cell batteries need to be kept charged up periodically or they
>die an early death.
>
>=95=95=95=95=95=95=95=95=95=95=95=95=95=95=95=95=95=95=95=95=95=95=95=95=9
>5=95=95=95=95=95=95=95=95=95=95=95=95=95=95=95
>jimt
>Planned insanity is best.
>Remember that sanity is optional.
>http://www.tactical-bus.info (tech info)
>http://www.westydriver.com
>-------------------------------------------------
>A good battery at rest should be close to 12.6 volts. The VW charging
>system when working properly maintains ~13.8 volts. The ideal float
>charge level for most batteries at normal temperatures. If you meter is
>good, the readings you have indicate a bad battery cell. If the battery
>can still start the engine, the bad cell is shorted. If the battery was
>down to 10.5 V from sitting, it is probably sulfated. The 2A charger
>will require ~ 30 hours bringing it up to charge if it really delivers 2
>amps and the battery is healthy.
>
>Dennis
>
>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
>>Of tolga
>>Sent: Saturday, January 08, 2005 4:14 PM
>>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>Subject: charging system problem? battery sitting for a while.
>>
>>Hi there,
>>  Just finished up installing SA grill, H4 lights and headlight relays
>>in
>>my 84 1.9 watercooled.  The Van had been sitting in my garage for
>>several
>>months and the battery was down to about 10.5V.  I left it overnight on
>>my battery charger at a 2A trickle charge.  Today it's up to 11.6V.  The
>>Van starts right up but I noticed the battery and alternator are still
>>at
>>11.6V when running?  I think it should be in the 12.5 range when
>>running,
>>right?  Any suggestions?  Is there a way to test the alt or regulator?
>>  I also noted with the headlights on, the voltage at the connectors is
>>around 11.4V for both hi and low beams on both sides.  I did not measure
>>it before doing the project but the H4's are much brighter.
>>
>>Thanks for any suggestions!
>>   Tolga