GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Just had a new AutoCraft Silver 26R series (575CCA) battery installed at Advance Auto, Cost $91.73. I decided to test this new battery by turning on the low beams with the engine and ignition off to see how long it would take to drain the battery to 50% or so.
I ended up running the battery down to 37% capacity. Any educated guesses as to how long this took? Low beams only, no fog lights or interior lights, etc.
12 Volt battery % charge chart:
http://www.mmbalmainauto.com.au/PDF/Sta ... teries.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Chiadog

Hmmmm ...... Somewhere between 60 & 90 min? Just a wild guess

Fun science experiment, but not one I would do on a brand new battery I just spent $91.73 on.

I could estimate the AH capacity of the battery and estimate the amp draw of the lights to come up with a WAG but I won't. Just thought I would point out that a new battery does not have full capacity until it has been cycled several times.

I like to use this chart;

tpollauf wrote:Hmmmm ...... Somewhere between 60 & 90 min? Just a wild guess

WE HAVE A WINNER HERE!!!!!
ACTUAL TIME FROM 100% TO 37% CHARGE: 80 MINUTES. Ding-Ding-Ding-Ding-Ding ..... that's the best i can do!
chiadog

ColonelPanic wrote:Fun science experiment, but not one I would do on a brand new battery I just spent $91.73 on.

Come On Colonel! Take a walk on the wild side!
chiadog

beemerphile1 wrote:I could estimate the AH capacity of the battery and estimate the amp draw of the lights to come up with a WAG but I won't. Just thought I would point out that a new battery does not have full capacity until it has been cycled several times.

I like to use this chart;

Does a battery ever get "cycled" if the alternator keeps it "topped off" so to speak?

Keeping in mind, anytime you discharge a battery enough to dim the lights, you just lost 10-20 percent of its remaining life. Its worse when its freezing outside. If you must discharge a battery to that extent, consider a deep cycle battery.

I found when I put a trickle charger on my cars that sit in the winter, the batteries last alot longer.

09SnowyVibe wrote:Keeping in mind, anytime you discharge a battery enough to dim the lights, you just lost 10-20 percent of its remaining life. Its worse when its freezing outside. If you must discharge a battery to that extent, consider a deep cycle battery.

I found when I put a trickle charger on my cars that sit in the winter, the batteries last alot longer.

So that's my problem - Ive drained my personal battery enough to dim my lights many times in my 70 years on this earth. I should have zero remaining life! And often I think I do have zero remaining life - or at least some parts of me are in that condition.