<!--quoteo(post=23044:date=Mon 27th Nov 2006, 01:07 PM:name=Andy K)-->QUOTE(Andy K @ Mon 27th Nov 2006, 01:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->When a battery goes very flat, it can be very difficult (if not imposable) to bring it back to life. You should first check that there is enough electrolyte in the dead battery (the tops of the plates covered).<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
DO NOT OPEN the Battery = MKII's use a sealed battery.
<!--quoteo(post=23044:date=Mon 27th Nov 2006, 01:07 PM:name=Andy K)-->QUOTE(Andy K @ Mon 27th Nov 2006, 01:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->As you have found normal trickle charges are often not up to the job when a battery is very dead.
You can sometimes get away with using another fully charged battery to bump it up enough for the charger to start working. So in this case after checking the levels I would try connecting it up as for a jump start but leave the two batteries connected for half an hour or so, then having disconnected the good battery try the charger again.
Some of the more expensive chargers claim to be able to recover badly discharged batteries but I am yet to be convinced.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yes - Buy an Optimate battery charger (approx £40) - it probably won't save this battery, but your next battery should be charged once a month if you are not using it, or left on charge permanantly with the Optimate, if you have an alarm of similiar which has a constant draw on the battery.
Once Lead Acid batteries are completely flat they are hard to recover, plus if left is a discharged state, the acid eats away at the lead plates, resulting in battery sulfation.
An Optimate is a good investment.
Don't use a normal charger, as the battery needs a constat current charge, and normal (cheap & car chargers) do not provide this. This will also shag you battery
DO NOT OPEN the Battery = MKII's use a sealed battery.
<!--quoteo(post=23044:date=Mon 27th Nov 2006, 01:07 PM:name=Andy K)-->QUOTE(Andy K @ Mon 27th Nov 2006, 01:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->As you have found normal trickle charges are often not up to the job when a battery is very dead.
You can sometimes get away with using another fully charged battery to bump it up enough for the charger to start working. So in this case after checking the levels I would try connecting it up as for a jump start but leave the two batteries connected for half an hour or so, then having disconnected the good battery try the charger again.
Some of the more expensive chargers claim to be able to recover badly discharged batteries but I am yet to be convinced.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yes - Buy an Optimate battery charger (approx £40) - it probably won't save this battery, but your next battery should be charged once a month if you are not using it, or left on charge permanantly with the Optimate, if you have an alarm of similiar which has a constant draw on the battery.
Once Lead Acid batteries are completely flat they are hard to recover, plus if left is a discharged state, the acid eats away at the lead plates, resulting in battery sulfation.
An Optimate is a good investment.
Don't use a normal charger, as the battery needs a constat current charge, and normal (cheap & car chargers) do not provide this. This will also shag you battery