Butler 0 Posted September 28, 2006 (edited) After about an hour of driving my crap box, the battery starts to give off a smell. Its sort of hot rubbery smell, not particularly nice. Notice that the battery itself is pretty hot. What on earth could be causing this? Its a year old Halfords maintainence free battery. It appears to still provide normal power, car starts fine. Cheers, Edited September 28, 2006 by Butler Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dazEmad 0 Posted September 28, 2006 (edited) I would check and see if your alternator is sending back a positive charge to the battery as this has happened to me. The battery almost exploded and there was pummels of smoke stinking really bad so be carefull. Edited September 28, 2006 by dazEmad Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
t16ryan 1 Posted September 28, 2006 check to see what volatage the alternator is charging at had a alternator recitifer pack up started charging at 18Volts had same problem Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Butler 0 Posted September 28, 2006 Cheers guys. So I am likely to shag my battery if I don't do something soon. Is it worth disconnecting the alternator for a while? Can I do that in my work car park with a plastic bottle and some selotape? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dazEmad 0 Posted September 28, 2006 symptoms i had were the windscreen wipers were faster than normal dont know if you have noticed this, get the alternator checked out asap as battery acid leakin or an explosion is not want you want. It could well just be the water level is low which you might be able to top back up (using still water / rain water), but if it is overcharging the battery then this will eat the water too so perhaps see wot happens after a top up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest BrainFluid Posted September 28, 2006 Continuing to Trickle charge a battery for a while after you think its fully charged is of okay as the battery probably isnt actually fully fully charged anyway and takes a long while to do. Contining to fast charge a battery from a dodgey alternator that has lost the ability to know when to stop blasting the battery with huge ammouts of direct current is V bad for the battery indeed. With possible fatal results. (not very probable though) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mongo 0 Posted September 28, 2006 sounds to me like the voltage regulator/rectifier has gone on the alternator and is supplying too much voltage to the battery. You will probably find your battery is now hosed, as the plates will have warped inside, will be worthwhile to check the voltage across the battery with the car running at idle, check the voltage, then switch on the lights etc and check the voltage (try it at revs too, 2,500rpm), if its higher than 14.6v it will be the voltage regulator on the alternator (just as well to get a new alternator/exchange) and go for a new battery too (or try and return it to halfords if its still under warranty)... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Butler 0 Posted September 28, 2006 I had noticed the wipers are faster. I'll sort it on saturday. Should I disconnect the alternator for work tomorrow? If so, whats the easiest way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest BrainFluid Posted September 28, 2006 (edited) If you want to stop the alternator from working remove the belt that spins it. 5 mins work. Buy a new battery as you will need one anyway, and get hold of a 12v charger. Keep the spare charged battery with the car and swop / charge them as you need to. This will keep you okay untill you get a new alternator (asap) and change it yourself with a new belt too. Hth. Edited September 28, 2006 by BrainFluid Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
