Battery life_swift diesel

RJ555 · 9th February 2010, 17:52

Mine is 2007 Dec model swift Ldi clocked 54k, 2 days back i gave my vehicle for servicing with the maruti dealer with whom i have been servicing since beggining, in the report they instructed me to change the batteries as the condition is weak. i wanted to cross verify & checked with 3 battery daelers, they also gave the same report, but to mention i never faced starting problem nor my lights or horn went down(have 100/90 philips rally HL bulbs, hella & Stebel horns). My electrician checked the car and said 14 volt is generaed in idling itself & nothing to worry. Im not able to finallize on whose report to decide. will driving this way affect the dynamo or will i face problem if im taking on highways. planning a 1.5 k trip during next week. wnat to know if its advisable to change teh battery. if so i have shortlisted Bosch... is that a good choice...

R2D2 · 9th February 2010, 20:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJ555

they instructed me to change the batteries as the condition is weak. i wanted to cross verify & checked with 3 battery daelers, they also gave the same report, but to mention i never faced starting problem nor my lights or horn went down(have 100/90 philips rally HL bulbs, hella & Stebel horns). My electrician checked the car and said 14 volt is generaed in idling itself & nothing to worry.

Their assessment maybe based on the tests that they conducted which shows voltage of <9.6 when on load. A battery can turn your engine over and give you no indication that its dying till one day it just gives up and usually at the most inopportune moment. The 14v output at idle only proves that the alternator is working fine. After a Sp. Gr test and/or open circuit voltage test, the best way to assess a battery is thru a load test.

If you are going on a long trip best to replace the battery, dont take chances. Bosch or Amaron should be good as is Exide in my experience. Amaron is the current fav on TBHP, with Bosch coming in close. Exide is elicits extreme responses. Tata Green is too new to comment on.

Cheers!

SamtheLeo · 9th February 2010, 21:12

Did you undertook the specific gravity test of the cells. By this you can determin if the pH level of the acid is ok & also wether any of the cell is getting weak. If all cells are healthy & pH is fine then nothing to worry. Even if one cell is weak or weakening then it is time to change as one day suddenly it will start loosing the charge. Checking specific gravity is very simple, any of the delaer will have a big sucker like tube which can detrermine the cell quality. You can also try to call Exide Mobile helpline for final analysis at your door step.

vrrraju · 9th February 2010, 21:21

RJ, You can carry out the test to find if any one of the cells have gone week. Even though the Voltage on such a battery will be normal since you would have driven for some time before checking, it will not be accurate.Recently my 2007 Swift gave away the battery one fine day when I left my cabin lights overnight

. Even though you would have left your car locked it does consumes battery as it utilizes the power for the Auto Locks and Keyless entry. When it goes below the threshold then it automatically unlocks the car which could be risky if you leaving it in some parking place. Since you are planning for long drive, better to get it checked up.

You can also call the Amaron helpdesk they usually respond fast.

RJ555 · 10th February 2010, 10:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamtheLeo

Did you undertook the specific gravity test of the cells. By this you can determin if the pH level of the acid is ok & also wether any of the cell is getting weak. If all cells are healthy & pH is fine then nothing to worry. Even if one cell is weak or weakening then it is time to change as one day suddenly it will start loosing the charge. Checking specific gravity is very simple, any of the delaer will have a big sucker like tube which can detrermine the cell quality. You can also try to call Exide Mobile helpline for final analysis at your door step.

Thanx sam for your valuable advise, had the ph levels checked, report was "all cells are little weak" not sure what little means. but what makes me confused is not even once i had issue in starting etc,,, is it right choice to change battery now or should i wait?

Quote:

Originally Posted by vrrraju

RJ, You can carry out the test to find if any one of the cells have gone week. Even though the Voltage on such a battery will be normal since you would have driven for some time before checking, it will not be accurate.Recently my 2007 Swift gave away the battery one fine day when I left my cabin lights overnight

. Even though you would have left your car locked it does consumes battery as it utilizes the power for the Auto Locks and Keyless entry. When it goes below the threshold then it automatically unlocks the car which could be risky if you leaving it in some parking place. Since you are planning for long drive, better to get it checked up.

You can also call the Amaron helpdesk they usually respond fast.

thanx for commenting raju...

will take a decision sooner...

Quote:

Originally Posted by R2D2

Their assessment maybe based on the tests that they conducted which shows voltage of <9.6 when on load. A battery can turn your engine over and give you no indication that its dying till one day it just gives up and usually at the most inopportune moment. The 14v output at idle only proves that the alternator is working fine. After a Sp. Gr test and/or open circuit voltage test, the best way to assess a battery is thru a load test.

If you are going on a long trip best to replace the battery, dont take chances. Bosch or Amaron should be good as is Exide in my experience. Amaron is the current fav on TBHP, with Bosch coming in close. Exide is elicits extreme responses. Tata Green is too new to comment on.

Cheers!

Your comments are usefull R2D2... overall i could see people insisting to replace the battery. let me do that before i could jump start the car, but only thing that worries me is " is the battery really weak" coz no signs experienced...

Note from the Team-BHP Support Team : Please use "Multi Quote" option for quoting Multiple posts, instead of creating another back-to-back post.

gpa · 10th February 2010, 16:26

Why don't you invest in a multi meter? They are inexpensive and range from Rs. 100 to Rs. 700. It is a very handy tool to check the health of your car battery not to mention the other uses for it around the house.

epicenter.rulez · 10th February 2010, 16:42

the battery will give ample warnings when its going out. the engine will take a while to crank. sometimes, the engine check lights may go up, and so may the water seperator or service vehicle or both or all three lights go up together.
Go for the exide maintenance free battery. it has a warranty of 5 years, costs a bit more but does its duty well. my oe battery went out at around 1.65 lac kilometers or so.

SamtheLeo · 10th February 2010, 16:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJ555

Thanx sam for your valuable advise, had the ph levels checked, report was "all cells are little weak" not sure what little means. but what makes me confused is not even once i had issue in starting etc,,, is it right choice to change battery now or should i wait?

If all cells are little week & has been confirmed by multiple vendors/ relaible vendor & you need to take a long road trip then I suggest you change it.

I mean this battery can work for some more time but if gives a problem even once & the whole idea of changing a battery without the glitch would be lost. So a month or two earlier but you will have the satisfaction & assurance that it would not die on you.

dinar · 10th February 2010, 16:59

Do you have any problems while starting, after the car is idle for around 2 days,or even overnight? If not do not there is not problem.
But be prepared to change in by end of this year, 3 -3.4 years is what a swift [specially EXIDE] batteries last.Form past experience with diesel cars and Exide batteries, also couple of friends with DDiS swifts.
While changing go for Bosch Battery, very good, and really maintenance free. will alst a bit longer than any EXIDE.

headers · 10th February 2010, 17:36

@RJ555: You need NOT replace battery unless your battery is weak. Please take it to a bettery guy ask him for a load test and see for yourself.

SPIKE ARRESTOR · 10th February 2010, 18:31

first check the voltage in idle (13.8-14.8V) and then put some load like blower, headlamps while the engine is revving at around 1500-2000 rpm as soon as you put load the voltage will decrease and then again catch up somewhere near the earlier mark,this shows your alternator is working fine, then check for specific gravity and voltage generated by each cell, this will give you a fair idea of what is wrong. If all these are fine do ask a competent electrician to verify if the battery is draining through a short or current leak somewhere along the circuit.

OT- What is the reserve capacity,cold cranking capacity,Power rating (Ah) preferred for Indian conditions specially for Swift.

Spike

Jaggu · 10th February 2010, 19:39

How do you read individual cell voltage Spike? New age batteries are sealed/semi sealed in this aspect?

RJ555 · 11th February 2010, 15:52

going through all comments

& out of some checks conducted by bat dealers i have made up to change the batteries. which brand to finalize... i have Bosch & Amaron in mind... preferably Bosch...any comments

gpa · 11th February 2010, 16:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJ555

going through all comments

& out of some checks conducted by bat dealers i have made up to change the batteries. which brand to finalize... i have Bosch & Amaron in mind... preferably Bosch...any comments

My vote would go for Amaron!

RJ555 · 12th February 2010, 18:57

got my battery replaced... have installed amaron pro.

9th February 2010, 17:52	#1
RJ555 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Chennai Posts: 102 Thanked: 32 Times View My Garage	Battery life_swift diesel Mine is 2007 Dec model swift Ldi clocked 54k, 2 days back i gave my vehicle for servicing with the maruti dealer with whom i have been servicing since beggining, in the report they instructed me to change the batteries as the condition is weak. i wanted to cross verify & checked with 3 battery daelers, they also gave the same report, but to mention i never faced starting problem nor my lights or horn went down(have 100/90 philips rally HL bulbs, hella & Stebel horns). My electrician checked the car and said 14 volt is generaed in idling itself & nothing to worry. Im not able to finallize on whose report to decide. will driving this way affect the dynamo or will i face problem if im taking on highways. planning a 1.5 k trip during next week. wnat to know if its advisable to change teh battery. if so i have shortlisted Bosch... is that a good choice...
	() Thanks

9th February 2010, 21:12	#3
SamtheLeo BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 451 Thanked: 26 Times	Did you undertook the specific gravity test of the cells. By this you can determin if the pH level of the acid is ok & also wether any of the cell is getting weak. If all cells are healthy & pH is fine then nothing to worry. Even if one cell is weak or weakening then it is time to change as one day suddenly it will start loosing the charge. Checking specific gravity is very simple, any of the delaer will have a big sucker like tube which can detrermine the cell quality. You can also try to call Exide Mobile helpline for final analysis at your door step.
	() Thanks

9th February 2010, 21:21	#4
vrrraju BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 186 Thanked: 35 Times	RJ, You can carry out the test to find if any one of the cells have gone week. Even though the Voltage on such a battery will be normal since you would have driven for some time before checking, it will not be accurate.Recently my 2007 Swift gave away the battery one fine day when I left my cabin lights overnight. Even though you would have left your car locked it does consumes battery as it utilizes the power for the Auto Locks and Keyless entry. When it goes below the threshold then it automatically unlocks the car which could be risky if you leaving it in some parking place. Since you are planning for long drive, better to get it checked up. You can also call the Amaron helpdesk they usually respond fast.
	() Thanks

10th February 2010, 16:26	#6
gpa Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,789 Thanked: 340 Times	A multimeter to the rescue Why don't you invest in a multi meter? They are inexpensive and range from Rs. 100 to Rs. 700. It is a very handy tool to check the health of your car battery not to mention the other uses for it around the house.
	() Thanks

10th February 2010, 16:42	#7
epicenter.rulez BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Valsad Posts: 235 Thanked: 277 Times	the battery will give ample warnings when its going out. the engine will take a while to crank. sometimes, the engine check lights may go up, and so may the water seperator or service vehicle or both or all three lights go up together. Go for the exide maintenance free battery. it has a warranty of 5 years, costs a bit more but does its duty well. my oe battery went out at around 1.65 lac kilometers or so.
	() Thanks

10th February 2010, 16:59	#9
dinar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: goa Posts: 1,066 Thanked: 57 Times	Do you have any problems while starting, after the car is idle for around 2 days,or even overnight? If not do not there is not problem. But be prepared to change in by end of this year, 3 -3.4 years is what a swift [specially EXIDE] batteries last.Form past experience with diesel cars and Exide batteries, also couple of friends with DDiS swifts. While changing go for Bosch Battery, very good, and really maintenance free. will alst a bit longer than any EXIDE.
	() Thanks

10th February 2010, 17:36	#10
headers Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Greater Chennai Posts: 4,667 Thanked: 559 Times	@RJ555: You need NOT replace battery unless your battery is weak. Please take it to a bettery guy ask him for a load test and see for yourself.
	() Thanks

10th February 2010, 18:31	#11
SPIKE ARRESTOR Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Germany Posts: 2,854 Thanked: 1,532 Times	Diagnosis first check the voltage in idle (13.8-14.8V) and then put some load like blower, headlamps while the engine is revving at around 1500-2000 rpm as soon as you put load the voltage will decrease and then again catch up somewhere near the earlier mark,this shows your alternator is working fine, then check for specific gravity and voltage generated by each cell, this will give you a fair idea of what is wrong. If all these are fine do ask a competent electrician to verify if the battery is draining through a short or current leak somewhere along the circuit. OT- What is the reserve capacity,cold cranking capacity,Power rating (Ah) preferred for Indian conditions specially for Swift. Spike
	() Thanks

10th February 2010, 19:39	#12
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,215 Thanked: 15,907 Times	How do you read individual cell voltage Spike? New age batteries are sealed/semi sealed in this aspect?
	() Thanks

11th February 2010, 15:52	#13
RJ555 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Chennai Posts: 102 Thanked: 32 Times View My Garage	going through all comments & out of some checks conducted by bat dealers i have made up to change the batteries. which brand to finalize... i have Bosch & Amaron in mind... preferably Bosch...any comments
	() Thanks

12th February 2010, 18:57	#15
RJ555 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Chennai Posts: 102 Thanked: 32 Times View My Garage	got my battery replaced... have installed amaron pro.
	() Thanks