How to charge this car battery

[AC123]

Stupid question, I know.



I seem to remember my old man unscrewing the 6 caps on the top of this type of battery - is that the right way to go? I've only ever had sealed ones that I can remember.

Battery charger has option of standard or sealed.

Thanks

[hman]

look at the sides - if you can see the water level and its near the top along all sides then just charge it -

you need de-ionised water by the way - tap water will coat the plates with cack.

if you can see any water levels in any of the cells have dropped then top those up (there are 6 cells there)

if you cant see any water then consider the battery has been run dry ( its toast) or it was never meant to be "maintained" ie the sides are not designed to be used to monitor the levels hence its probably maintenance free.

if you unscrew the caps to fill it up then you only need to cover the metal plates inside - WEAR EYE PROTECTION - its sulphuric acid in there.

[hman]

varta say:-

http://www.varta-automotive.com/en-gb/support/batt...

if you follow their advice - dont remove the caps!!!!

Try charging it as a standard battery - its def. not sealed.

If it charges then great - if not then bin it and buy another

[Cliftonite]

hman said:

varta say:-

http://www.varta-automotive.com/en-gb/support/batt...

if you follow their advice - dont remove the caps!!!!

Try charging it as a standard battery - its def. not sealed.

If it charges then great - if not then bin it and buy another

This advice from Varta refers only to sealed batteries. The OP has an older-style one that needs top up (with distilled water (or de-ionised water?)) from time to time.

Edited by Cliftonite on Tuesday 10th November 20:29

[hman]

OP that battery is a MB only battery , varta made it especially for MB to their size specs.

If it needs topping up then its more than likely very much past its best.

I can almost guarantee that adding water will be a disappointing event as the battery will show a good charge level but when loaded up it will fail again.

This is a good source of info on batteries :-

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/water_l...

[227bhp]

"Battery charger has option of standard or sealed."

Anyone - why would the charger need to know this? Just wondered.....