Yes - the guy I bought the next battery from said to keep doing what I was doing as it was obviously working - but he didn't look too happy - not good for business! But then I suffered a serious short on this second battery from the speedo cable coming into contact with the starter switch and it soon failed - so I was back for another one after just two years!
Colin

The other thing about never using the starter, Colin, is that just for ignition and lighting a semi knackered battery can stagger along for years as long as it is regularly charged - as yours is due to regular usage.

They always first show signs of failure when asked to supply cranking amps, usually in cold weather when lead acid batteries are at their least efficient anyway.

Ian Mc.

Location: Shropshire

Ian,
I have a Halfords 12v battery on my RN. It has been in use since March 2003, charged infrequently with the Lidl intelligent charger and started the car up as usual 5mins ago. It must be on its last legs by now.
Dave.

Location: Sheffield

As a matter of interest, can any of the electrical gurus here tell me whether I can safely use a 12 volt charger to charge two 6 volt batteries connected in series?

I have a good 6 volt charger/starter, but at the moment the batteries on both the RP and the PD are near the end of their useful lives and it would be useful if I could top both up at the same time.

Time for a new Exide, I think!

Location: Herefordshire, with an "E" not a "T".

Hi Martin, yes, that should be OK (in fact, in series, used to be the standard workshop way of charging several similar batteries from a high voltage DC source - the current being set by a built in rheostat }

Just for my own peace of mind, I would check the on charge voltage across each battery occasionally, just to be sure that it was fairly evenly divided.

Ian Mc.

Location: Shropshire

Location: Shropshire

Martin.My MGA has 2 6volt batteries in series and I always charge up in situ as a pair -no problems over the last 50 years.

Location: The pits,Leicester

I'd always recommend using a smart charger on your battery. I keep mine on it all the time as it will evaluate the state of the battery, discharge it occasionally and re-charge it as required. Sitting unused in a cold garage is not the best way to keep one in good condition, or so I was told by my local sparks guru...

Location: Ripon

Location: Herefordshire, with an "E" not a "T".

Location: Herefordshire, with an "E" not a "T".