Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: Varche on 03 July 2009, 12:20:57

Title: battery dead again / air con / v hot weather
Post by: Varche on 03 July 2009, 12:20:57
Well it is that time of year again and just for a change the battery on the Omega has died. All cells have the right amount of electrolite. I have had the charging checked every time the battery has failed which has been every two years and two weeks (just outside guarantee in other words) Problem is in all this heat (38 deg C) and short journeys at low speed, lots of tick over at lights and air con on full.

can't jump start it as its an auto. So will wait for a passing vehicle or borrow a battery pack from a neighbour. Fortunately it is at home this time.

Do Omegas in hot climes have  a different system from UK cars like mine? Beefier alternator, beefier battery perhaps? calling CEM or Omegadoha!! Anything I can do like the equivalent in olden days of increasing the tickover?

El varche
Title: Re: battery dead again / air con / v hot weather
Post by: doog on 05 July 2009, 01:15:00
why cant you jump start an auto?
if its in neutral i wouldnt have ythought it would make any difference


Doug
Title: Re: battery dead again / air con / v hot weather
Post by: feeutfo on 05 July 2009, 05:23:47
think he means bump start.
Sounds like cheapo battery. Gooduns, or better anyway, are sealed for life, are they not?
Title: Re: battery dead again / air con / v hot weather
Post by: Auto Addict on 05 July 2009, 06:49:03
You could try turning the fan speed down, whilst stationery, then switch back to auto when on the move.

This will save some drain on your battery.

Title: Re: battery dead again / air con / v hot weather
Post by: Varche on 05 July 2009, 10:43:27
Sorry meant bump start. Had an ear cocked hoping a vehicle would drive by and give me a jump start.

I posted after this in General help and got some good suggestions and answers there thanks.

The battery is not a sealed one and I have been topping it up regularly especially the end cells. First none sealed for years. I didn't have a choice at the time. garages are so few and far apart here. But will be going back on Monday to see the fellow.

V
Title: Re: battery dead again / air con / v hot weather
Post by: feeutfo on 05 July 2009, 14:26:53
Quote
I have been topping it up regularly especially the end cells.
V
Thats breaked mate. Money back imho. You dont really want another.
Title: Re: battery dead again / air con / v hot weather
Post by: crazyjoetavola on 05 July 2009, 15:55:10
Quote
Well it is that time of year again and just for a change the battery on the Omega has died. All cells have the right amount of electrolite. I have had the charging checked every time the battery has failed which has been every two years and two weeks (just outside guarantee in other words) Problem is in all this heat (38 deg C) and short journeys at low speed, lots of tick over at lights and air con on full.

can't jump start it as its an auto. So will wait for a passing vehicle or borrow a battery pack from a neighbour. Fortunately it is at home this time.

Do Omegas in hot climes have  a different system from UK cars like mine? Beefier alternator, beefier battery perhaps? calling CEM or Omegadoha!! Anything I can do like the equivalent in olden days of increasing the tickover?

El varche

........have the same trouble varche, although I'm not down where you are, I don't cover a lot of miles in the Omega  - 1.200 last year.

I used Kevin Woods excellent post on the charging system;

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1225724099

...to check things over ( no problems found )

I put my difficulty down to the lack of miles done :y

The new battery is about 7 months old and is now beginning to struggle when starting the car :(
Title: Re: battery dead again / air con / v hot weather
Post by: Varche on 05 July 2009, 16:10:46
Had a look for a multi meter off Ebay.co.uk (Pointless trying to find such a thing here - no "Halfords" etc).

Would this do the job  370145975642 ? Or is it over the top bearing in mind I have managed for 40 years with just a continuity tester!!!

Title: Re: battery dead again / air con / v hot weather
Post by: feeutfo on 06 July 2009, 01:22:48
Quote
Quote
Well it is that time of year again and just for a change the battery on the Omega has died. All cells have the right amount of electrolite. I have had the charging checked every time the battery has failed which has been every two years and two weeks (just outside guarantee in other words) Problem is in all this heat (38 deg C) and short journeys at low speed, lots of tick over at lights and air con on full.

can't jump start it as its an auto. So will wait for a passing vehicle or borrow a battery pack from a neighbour. Fortunately it is at home this time.

Do Omegas in hot climes have  a different system from UK cars like mine? Beefier alternator, beefier battery perhaps? calling CEM or Omegadoha!! Anything I can do like the equivalent in olden days of increasing the tickover?

El varche

........have the same trouble varche, although I'm not down where you are, I don't cover a lot of miles in the Omega  - 1.200 last year.

I used Kevin Woods excellent post on the charging system;

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1225724099

...to check things over ( no problems found )

I put my difficulty down to the lack of miles done :y

The new battery is about 7 months old and is now beginning to struggle when starting the car :(

Trickel charger for you then if its standing for long periods and you have a drive way. Or if you park in the road remove the battery and leave it ticking away in a vented area, will have so reset windows and run roof each time you remove though.