I'm having a few problems with my car at the moment, I think the battery is probably finished but I would like to know a few things before I go and buy a new one!

I've only been driving it once every 5 or 6 days. When I jump started the car the other day it only took a few seconds of being hooked up to the other battery before it would start, so I don't think it was *that* flat.

I drove it last Saturday, then when I went to start it on Thursday the battery only just managed to start it. I drove it for around 20 minutes, then when I went to start it Saturday morning (so 2 days later) it wouldn't start.

Does this sound like a battery problem rather than something draining it? Is there anything I can buy to test the drain on the battery? Is the battery failing a common problem? I can't use the date function on the search to find recent problems. I have a feeling the battery is pretty old, at least 2 years old, possibly still the original one from 2001. Any help is appreciated!

 

My understanding is, the battery needs to be kept recharged (ie car needs to be used regularly) to keep the battery healthy. Once you discharge it fully, (ie to the extent where you can't start the car), the battery will lose its capacity to keep charge. The more frequently this happens, the less charge the battery can contain.

I used to use my S once every two weeks, and similar thing happened to my battery. In the end, I bought a new battery and a battery conditioner to keep it charged when i'm not using it.

HTH

Shawn

 

Could be a poor battery,
Fully charge it on a trickle charger system then if the problem persists, replace it

 

Sounds like a discharged battery to me.

As you drive your car infrequentlyI would get one of these if I was you.

http://www.intobikes.co.uk/products/002648...Charger?src=fro

It will also tell you if your current battery is knackered, although it can and did with mine, rescue a deeply discharged battery and can sometimes resurrect sulfated ones too. Best £40 I spent.

 

If you do need a new battery, worth checking with your Honda dealer for a price. They were slightly cheaper than Halfords when I needed one earlier this year.

 

If you do require a new battery Bosch Silver (60 540 S4 025) is the one to get.
S4025 / 005R BOSCH SILVER Car Battery 12V 60Ah
(Short Code: S4025)
(BOSCH DIN: 560 411 054)

I would measure your battery box/tray and see what the max size you could fit would be as you maybe able to get a slightly larger one in there(for example S5008 096). Yes it may weight slightly more but in the grand scheme of things for a road car it's negligible, plus the Bosch Silvers weigh less than others anyway.

Do you keep your car off the road when not in use? The reason I ask is have you thought of using a battery conditioner and fit the battery with a quick connects.
I use a CTEK MULTI XS 3600 to keep my cars batteries in good condition.
http://www.ctek.com/EN-GB/consumer/car.aspx

 

Thanks for all the help. Unfortunately the car is parked on the road so a battery conditioner is out of the question

I've just taken the battery to the garage to be tested, he reckons it looks pretty ancient. If the battery is finished then he wants to sell me a bosch replacement, whereas I'd be happier with buying an OEM item since the going rate for a genuine Honda appears to be around £50. Is the bosch battery ok or should I go for OEM?

 

Just rang around 3 dealers and they have all come back with a price of £63, makes the bosch slightly more attractive.

 

Bosch Silver are the best standard type batteries available.

Andrew Page used to be very good with Bosch battery prices but you can always get one online from Max Autoparts
http://www.maxautoparts.co.uk/car/s4025-00...-238-14770-.php

 

Ok, so it appears the battery is actually ok. What items do I need to test the drain on the battery?

Is it possible that the battery in the Hamilton and Palmer alarm has broken causing it to drain more from the car battery?