Battery test ?

[Dirtysanchez]

Hi all

The battery in my Nissan seems to be close to it's use by date, and it is close to 4 years old so I don't mind.. The vehicle still starts every time, but the lights are dim at night and things like pwr windows are sluggish, so I don't reckon it is in the best of health anymore.

Before I replace it I was wondering if there are any simple tests I can do with my old analogue multi meter ? ie, is there a certain voltage the battery should be putting out at rest, and another when the motor is running and a charge is being sent ?

Failing that, these battery tests that are "free" at places like Super cheap, are they fair, or a gimmick to make you think yours is RS and to buy one right away ?

Many thanks

Russell

[Reel Hard]

A proper load tester will do the trick.
Or with the multi test the voltage drop when starting the engine.
with the electrics being slugish sounds like bad earth or poor contact somewhere.
Auto electrician shop will test it for you. 4Years is a good run from a battery. Replace it with one that has plenty of cranking amps.

[Vindicator]

G'day Russell,

Try and get it on a charger before you get it tested, that way it will give you a truer indication if it is any good.

Cheers
Kezza

[Roughasguts]

Have you cleaned and tightened the battery terminals?.

After four years you could expect some gunge on the terminals reducing the Amps.

[finga]

Yeah Russ, do some checks first
If she winds over okky dokky then I would reckon there's a dodgy joint somewhere for the rest of the electrics.
The starter is the biggest power user in your car.
A simple test for this is to bung the multimeter on the terminals without charging or anything and take a reading then crank her over and take a reading whilst cranking. It shouldn't move too much.
Now take a reading at the fuse box where your windows etc are fused at. Take a reading without load and then whilst the windows are going up (a bit more load) or when the lights are on. The voltage should have bugger all difference to the battery terminal voltage with and without load.
If the voltage is significantly lower whilst under load there's a dodgy joint somewhere.

Failing that get a battery check done at battery world or someone like that and drive away and get prices and options. They can't hold you to ransom can they??

[Dirtysanchez]

Thanks for the info fellas, there is a bit of shite on the pos terminal, and it keeps coming back !! that powdery rubbish that washes away and stains the driveway.

I think I will go see an auto electrician at lunch time... hey hang on, the sales rep who works for us is a trained auto elec :D

[Poodroo]

Dirtysanchez if your lights are dim whilst driving along at night that would almost tell me to get the alternator checked out perhaps. It may not be generating enough current? Do you have an amp guage in the car? If so what is it reading? If your battery is getting tired when you start up in the mornings it may not have been getting fully charged from the day before. Just a thought. Battery is at the end of its life too at that age. I've been told that 3 years is basically it.

Poodroo

[Hamish73]

Dirtysanchez if your lights are dim whilst driving along at night that would almost tell me to get the alternator checked out perhaps. It may not be generating enough current? Do you have an amp guage in the car? If so what is it reading? If your battery is getting tired when you start up in the mornings it may not have been getting fully charged from the day before. Just a thought. Battery is at the end of its life too at that age. I've been told that 3 years is basically it.

Poodroo
What poodoo said.
The lights shouldnt me dim even with a completely dead battery when the engine is running at cruising speed.
You want 13-5-14.0 volts when the engine is at about 2500rpm+. If less, alternator is fugged or you have a bad connection. If the car cranks over easily, as said before it is unlikely the battery is shot.

[Cheech]

Was at Supercheap and a guy was getting a battery tested. They said it was fine. So does not appear to be a gimmick to get you to buy one of theirs.

[Reel Hard]

Some Bi Carb Soda mixed with hot water poured onto the dirty terminal will clean it up. Them spray on terminal protector or smear it with vasoline.

[Roughasguts]

A Bucket of Hot water on a cold morning will also excite your flat battery enough to start your engine.

I have done that a few times when I can't be bothered risking power surges with jump starting the neighbours car.