[shankar.balan]

VARTA - it came with my Skoda Yeti in 2011 and lasted me a full 5 years till I had to change it in 2016 because it finally went dead! Amazing quality.

[Maibaa]

It's been 6 years since my Laura's stock battery (VARTA) has been going strong. Only now it gave up last night.

I started the car in the morning with a few cranks but intend to replace the battery. Amaron and Exide are the only 2 choices I see if I have to get one aftermarket.

[prithm]

Is it safe to say that if I kept the battery acid (in non closed type) at proper level that I can prolong its life or will it require yearly check and charge top up at battery service stations ?

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by prithm

Is it safe to say that if I kept the battery acid (in non closed type) at proper level that I can prolong its life or will it require yearly check and charge top up at battery service stations ?

There are several factors that will determine battery longevity for e.g your route i.e. on highway or urban cycle, ambient and under the hood temperature, alternator capacity and charging voltage, presence of aftermarket accessories, among others.

But checking electrolyte levels and adding distilled water (if necessary) at regular intervals at is single most important component of battery maintenance. Ensure the plates are covered in electrolyte at all times.

A charging voltage & battery electrolyte level service inspection every 12 months is recommended.

[prithm]

Originally Posted by R2D2

But checking electrolyte levels and adding distilled water (if necessary) at regular intervals at is single most important component of battery maintenance. Ensure the plates are covered in electrolyte at all times.

How do I make sure that the electrolyte is at right concentration ?

pH meter is not going to do the job, nor the battery testers.

Will topping up with distilled water enough to make the battery last at least couple of years ??

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by prithm

How do I make sure that the electrolyte is at right concentration ? pH meter is not going to do the job, nor the battery testers.

Will topping up with distilled water enough to make the battery last at least couple of years ??

A pH meter/strip measures basicity or acidity of a solution not acid concentration. You need to use a hydrometer that measures specific gravity. Normal Sp. Gr. at a full state of charge is about 1250-1270 depending on the battery and temperature. And here I hasten to add please never add acid to the battery. Check your battery manual for the exact Sp Gr values.

Yes, top up with distilled water when it drops low. At no time should the plates be exposed to air. Fill enough DW to raise the level till the bottom of the vent tube. Do not overfill or the acid can bubble out whilst the battery is being charged.

[prithm]

Originally Posted by R2D2

And here I hasten to add please never add acid to the battery. Check your battery manual for the exact Sp Gr values.

The battery service center folks are saying that they will drain and refill with fresh battery acid during servicing. They also showed me a sample which was pungent and certainly H2SO4. But the dilution he said was dependent on the battery, voltage and brand.

They stored it in a dark container and used large pipette to draw and fill the battery.

I have a TATA Green battery in my DZire, but I don't see any drain vent in it. Service station guys filled it to its brim and closed the caps. Told me, that its Standard Process. Not sure what to do now.

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by prithm

The battery service center folks are saying that they will drain and refill with fresh battery acid during servicing. They also showed me a sample which was pungent and certainly H2SO4. But the dilution he said was dependent on the battery, voltage and brand.

And what is the reason they want to refill with fresh acid? The only time you add acid is if there has been a loss of electrolyte through means such as spillage or a damaged battery case. Did this happen to your battery? The normal charge/discharge process requires only distilled water.

The acid to water ratio is 35:65 or 30:70 depending on the battery.

I have a TATA Green battery in my DZire, but I don't see any drain vent in it. Service station guys filled it to its brim and closed the caps. Told me, that its Standard Process. Not sure what to do now.

The level should only be up to the vent tube. If DW is overfilled you could experience acid leakage which over time will react with the terminals, clamps and other metallic objects on or near the battery. You can remove the excess but unfortunately now that the water and acid have mixed you will also remove acid along with the water, which is not a good thing unless the quantity is very small.

[prithm]

Originally Posted by R2D2

Did this happen to your battery? The normal charge/discharge process requires only distilled water.

The acid to water ratio is 35:65 or 30:70 depending on the battery.

They told me that it is the right way to service and prolong a battery and are charging approx. Rs.300 (acid+2 hour charging).

I took my old wet Exide battery to them for making it back up battery for my motorcycle and out of inquisitiveness ended up talking up about my car battery service.

One thing they did show me was the debris and dark colored liquid flowing out of battery while draining the battery for service. Few of them were actually gooey and he said it was due to acid reacting with plastic and biproduct.

Since I have never serviced battery (always exchanged for a new one), this experience was a learning curve for me.

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by prithm

They told me that it is the right way to service and prolong a battery and are charging approx. Rs.300 (acid+2 hour charging).

Sorry, but these guys are speaking through their umm..hats. Adding acid is the fastest way to cause sulphation and plate damage. I would recommend you avoid this shop.

One thing they did show me was the debris and dark colored liquid flowing out of battery while draining the battery for service. Few of them were actually gooey and he said it was due to acid reacting with plastic and biproduct.

Batteries have acid proof containers! Up to a level that is. That's the way they have to be made!

The coloured liquid you see coming out is probably the corroded active material of the plates mixing with the electrolyte. And that is generally the outcome if you add extra acid. Jeez!! These guys don't deserve to sell or service batteries. Stay FAR away from these morons.

Since I have never serviced battery (always exchanged for a new one), this experience was a learning curve for me.

Avoid this service centre. They don't know what they're doing. Seriously! If I were in your place I'd have reported them to the company.

Look for other options in your neighbourhood.

[Pferdestarke]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

VARTA - it came with my Skoda Yeti in 2011 and lasted me a full 5 years till I had to change it in 2016 because it finally went dead! Amazing quality.

Did you replace it with a VARTA again or went for other brands sir? If installed VARTA, can you share the price please?

My Rapid came with the VARTA battery which has lasted for about 44 months and is still working but has been showing symptoms of exhaustion off late.

Thinking of replacing it soon as I don't want to get stranded somewhere!

[condor]

So the old question again - Exide or Amaron ?

my ( car) electrician says Exide for longer life. Will need to replace the battery sometime - sooner or later

[condor]

What do the numbers on a battery model mean ? eg: 95D31L, 105D31L etc ?

While searching for a battery, I found that I need an 85Ah battery. The stock is 95D31L.

When I search on basis of the Ah rating, I find that even the 105D31x is also an 85 Ah battery

When I searched further, I see this page which says that the first set of numbers indicates the current rating ( Ah value). But I am not sure, because when I check the Exide product page, it says that 105D31L is also 85Ah only.

[comfortablynumb]

Folks, my vehicle's (2010 mHawk SLE Scorpio) battery needs to be replaced. The owner's manual says 72 Ah rating, but all the batteries suggested for the Scorpio on Amaron and Exide websites are for 65 Ah. Any suggestions which brand and specific model number would be the best fit?

Cheers,
Vikram

[Sawyer]

The OE Exide in my 2009 Gypsy finally gave up. Purely since the outlet is close to me, I am considering Amaron. For Gypsy their website recommends 5 possibilities! Pro, Flo, Go, Black and Fresh. The warranty drops from 30 months for Pro down to 12 for Fresh. Presumably, so does the price.

Any recommendations? Approx price after taking back the 8 year old Exide?