Can this battery be opened?

[reb78]

Is this sealed or is there a way I can actually check the cell levels? The indicator well in the top is suggesting it needs topping up but I am not sure I can open it without ruining it.

It holds 12v but have noticed it got warm when I last trickle charged it. Hence looking at the indicator well on the battery.

 

[Ross365]

I don't think you'd expect a battery to get warm during trickle charging. Do you know (with confidence) what voltage and current your charger is delivering?

Most modern battery chargers will auto cut off when the battery is fully charged, and gassing off of the water should not occur until over-charging takes place (i.e. voltage is higher than ~14.8V). You look to be using an old style charger, so may have over-charged to the point where the water is low. I've never attempted to top up a sealed battery.

 

[MetalMonkey]

Is this sealed or is there a way I can actually check the cell levels? The indicator well in the top is suggesting it needs topping up but I am not sure I can open it without ruining it.

I'd imagine you just carefully pry off the long vent cap that covers the tops of all the cells - the bit with the sticker on it.

 

[Beeezer]

Anything can be opened up…. Can you put it back together…..

 

[AVI_8]

I‘ve a similar sized couple of batteries , only goes to to 13.5 volts after charging, don’t hold much hope for them should go to around 14.6 volts after charging, 12.1 is only half charge

 

[cocker]

I think the "maintenance free" thing is a con , you can't top them up or check the acid.
Battery don't seem last as long as they should do , just last as long as the warranty .
Some videos on the tube ! Take care .

 

[reb78]

I don't think you'd expect a battery to get warm during trickle charging. Do you know (with confidence) what voltage and current your charger is delivering?

Most modern battery chargers will auto cut off when the battery is fully charged, and gassing off of the water should not occur until over-charging takes place (i.e. voltage is higher than ~14.8V). You look to be using an old style charger, so may have over-charged to the point where the water is low. I've never attempted to top up a sealed battery.

Its the ctek mxs10 charger. I rarely use the dumb charger on the side there.

 

[reb78]

I‘ve a similar sized couple of batteries , only goes to to 13.5 volts after charging, don’t hold much hope for them should go to around 14.6 volts after charging, 12.1 is only half charge

Sorry. I was being lazy when i said 12v above. It holds about 13.3v after a charge. I've never measured straight after. The one next to it holds more like 13.7v

 

[reb78]

I'd imagine you just carefully pry off the long vent cap that covers the tops of all the cells - the bit with the sticker on it.

I seem to recall trying with one years ago and wrecked it. Hence asking. Not sure if they are supposed to come apart even though technically sealed.

 

[ajlelectronics]

It holds about 13.3v after a charge.

That would be unusual, if the battery has been allowed to sit for a while. I would expect to see 12.6V or close to.

 

[knighty]

I've opened batteries like that before no problem, covers always gone back on no problem too

 

[Porkypine]

Like a **** I discharged my virtually new battery the other day by leaving the lights on overnight.
When slow recharged (with an old style Halfords charger) it read 12.8 after leaving to stand a few hours after completion, this is I believe perfectly OK and within spec. If you've got 12.6 or over after leaving the charged batt to stand a while you should be ok
I tested it on the motor with engine running and it said 13.75 BTW.
I've levered off the tops of "sealed" batteries successfully before, they often have the normal holes and plugs, just all incorporated under the one or two piece cover that makes it look "sealed"

 

[reb78]

That would be unusual, if the battery has been allowed to sit for a while. I would expect to see 12.6V or close to.

Of course i may be muddling up the numbers 12 and 13 now! I will check later and see if i can prise the top off.

 

[AKN]

It holds 12v but have noticed it got warm when I last trickle charged it. Hence looking at the indicator well on the battery.

Its the ctek mxs10 charger. I

I have a MXS10 charger, have you got it in the correct mode? If you have it in “AGM” mode it charges at the higher voltage AGM batteries need.

 

[reb78]

I have a MXS10 charger, have you got it in the correct mode? If you have it in “AGM” mode it charges at the higher voltage AGM batteries need.

Yes. I always check it - its just the first setting for a charge I think. AGM is the last one - never use that as I dont have any!

 

[hotponyshoes]

Some battries seem to hold "surface charge" after charging (or a run in the car)
That often shows up as 13v+ on a meter.
Stick a load on it for a few seconds and then take the true reading.

 

[Prajna]

Charged voltage is 12.6v but that is typical of an old but good battery. New batteries tend to settle at around 12.8v, though they will show higher than that due to the surface charge @hotponyshoes mentioned. Interestingly, it takes a few charges for a new battery to reach its full capacity, so the charged voltage will increase on each charge for a while. 12.2v is 50% charged and you should never go below that and should charge back up as soon as possible (that is the resting voltage I'm talking about, it may drop lower under load).

 

[merryman]

All lead/acid batteries require a vent - otherwise they would burst if severely over-charged. Normal operation is that the small amount of water, electrolysed during normal charging, is recombined.

Don't know how they do it, but we sell sealed for life motorcycle batteries and, once sealed up, they don't leak. Had to fit one to a TGB Blade Quad and couldn't weigh up how to get it in the battery box, finally checked the instructions and found it should be laid on it's side in use.

 

[reb78]

Have you charged with the recond mode with this battery? If the CTEK cannot recondition charge it, I expect it is past its use-by date.

All lead/acid batteries require a vent - otherwise they would burst if severely over-charged. Normal operation is that the small amount of water, electrolysed during normal charging, is recombined.

That indicator does not pertain to electrolyte level?

I have used the reond mode on this one and it will do it. The CTEK isnt throwing any faults with it (which it will when the battery is shot as you say) but I just noticed the warmth on the battery and the slightly lower voltage it sits at compared to the almost identical battery next to it.

With the recond mode, i think it does 'gas' the battery more so the more you do it, the more likely you are to evaporate the solution?? Might be completely wrong with this!

I think the indicator is related to level as if you slosh them about the indicator will change! So I assume it measures something on one cell and because mine is not reading anything the level is low, hence wanting to check.

 

[R Kraft]

Usually an indicator is for the specific gravity of a cell, for the quality of charge.