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Jun 14th, 2026
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 2,086 Likes: 70
Talk Morgan Expert
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Talk Morgan Expert
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 2,086 Likes: 70 |
Note how as time passes, the difference between the price of a battery and a tankful of fuel has shrunk. So I'm erring towards replacing the battery in my Roadster Ser2. It is garaged, and I have been using a Ctek charger/maintainer since buying one in August (to follow the Owners Manual guidance to keep it on a charger if the car isn't used for more than a week). My understanding is that it is intended to be left on once the battery is fully charged. I was out in the car a week or so ago, and on coming home put it back on the Ctek in anticipation of the onset of winter. Within a few hours it was showing fully charged again. However yesterday, having had the first two amber lights on for about 10 hours (overnight), the red error light came on. So I've turned everything off until I can be sure this means the battery has had it (it is possibly 6 or more years old), or perhaps the charger is faulty. Any ideas ?? I have known that to happen if a good contact is not being made, especially if you are charging via the cigarette lighter socket.
Doug
2011 Plus 4 in Rich Maroon
1972 750 “ComDom” sprinter
1958 Triton 650
1992 Triumph Trophy 900
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Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,982 Likes: 103
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
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Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,982 Likes: 103 |
Great tip, thanks; a "tomorrow when it's not quite so cold" job.
Peter
2009 3-litre Roadster "Ivor", royal ivory / green
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Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 586 Likes: 21
Talk Morgan Regular
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Talk Morgan Regular
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 586 Likes: 21 |
I'm not sure you'd find a compatible Odyssey PC925 in the 50-60 price range, but if you do, let me know!!
"DOT" 35th Anniversary Edition Plus 8- family owned from new. Rolls Royce Pewter.
06 Saab 93
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Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,982 Likes: 103
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
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Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,982 Likes: 103 |
The problem's (somewhat) solved. I removed the battery and it is dated May 2014, so I reckon it's done well. It had an isolator/cutout that wasn't working reliably, so that may have been a contributory factor and I've deleted it. But annoyingly (on the basis of when all else fails, read the instructions), my Ctek is a XS 0.8 with no Mode button. After reading the instructions again (i.e for the first time !), here's what it says: The XS 0.8 is CTEK’s smallest 12V charger and it’s suitable for charging smaller batteries as well as maintenance charging normal sized car batteriesThe XS 0.8 uses state of the art technology for charging smaller batteries on motorbikes, jet skis, ATVs and lawnmowersDarn, probably the wrong charger, and I don't have many jet skis or ATVs -- buyer beware etc. Anyhow it is now showing fully charged, so I'm happier, and in a couple of days if it still shows being maintained I will re-install it in the car (not a job I want to be doing all the time). Alternatively a like-for-like replacement for the Bosch S5 004 battery is £70 delivered, so I suspect that's the way to go. Far better than being stranded somewhere thanks to tired electrical gremlins. ![[Linked Image]](https://www.tm-img.com/images/2021/12/05/Bosch-S5-on-charge-Dec-2021.jpg) ![[Linked Image]](https://www.tm-img.com/images/2021/12/05/Ctek-showing-fully-charged-Dec-2021.jpg)
Peter
2009 3-litre Roadster "Ivor", royal ivory / green
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8,667 Likes: 408
Needs to Get Out More!
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Needs to Get Out More!
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8,667 Likes: 408 |
The maximum charge current that doesn't get ahead of the chemical charge absorption into the depth of battery plates is generally recognised as 10% of the amp hour capacity of battery. Such a charge rate will not cause higher than average acidity at the electrolyte/battery plate surface where change from electrical to chemical charge takes place, or the reverse of course. Such charge current limitation will not encourage above normal battery degredation therefore. A max 4 amp smart charger fits the bill for typical Mog batteries therefore.
The charger mentioned above will eventually fully charge the battery as well but remember it must well exceed natural discharge rates which increase with age.
Richard
2018 Roadster 3.7
1966 Land Rover S2a 88
2024 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450
1945 Guzzi Airone
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 5,438 Likes: 467
Charter Member
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Charter Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 5,438 Likes: 467 |
I note that you typed that you removed the battery from the car, which also removes it from any possible circuit losses that the car might have and which may be less than obvious..?
While the battery may be suffering increased internal losses due to the ageing processes, if the car circuitry may also be added to the demands placed on the charger, perhaps the combination of both may have just exceeded your chargers capability to bring it up to the required state of charge, and thus causing the charger to produce fault indication...?
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Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,982 Likes: 103
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
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Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,982 Likes: 103 |
Thanks. Yes that's correct, I removed the battery (largely because I was sure there'd be a date on it somewhere). As Richard said, "The charger mentioned above will eventually fully charge the battery as well but remember it must well exceed natural discharge rates which increase with age". In its normal state in the car, the only current drain I can think of comprises the clock and the little blinky red light on the dash. There are no other lights on, nor the radio. So on that basis, once I've re-installed the battery, I'll give it a few days then re-attach the Ctek and see what happens.
Peter
2009 3-litre Roadster "Ivor", royal ivory / green
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 5,438 Likes: 467
Charter Member
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Charter Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 5,438 Likes: 467 |
I bow to Richards superior electrical knowledge, just thought to mention the car as perhaps tipping the balance in terms of your chargers ability. Perhaps when you reinstall the battery to the car in time your charger may again report an issue, and if so you can reassess the situation.
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 188
L - Learner Plates On
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L - Learner Plates On
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 188 |
I found my Roadster had a permanently illuminated red light on the dash. Usually it just flashes.
i had been out the day before and parked it in the garage. The battery was not giving any problems then.
Next day not a peep from it when it was asked to turn the engine over and no lights.
The 2004 Roadster has the battery under the bonnet which rather restricts the size of it.
The battery tray is tailored to the smaller battery size and the battery height is also restricted.
Eventually i found the supplier of the one in the car and purchased a replacement.
It was supplied by DMS technologies in Romsey, Hants.
It was a Red Flash 750 battery. Cost delivered next day £155.20.
Fitted it and no dramas
Interestingly enough the date on the old one was 2011. so a ten year life.
Paul
2004 Silver Roadster S1
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,824 Likes: 69
Talk Morgan Addict
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Talk Morgan Addict
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,824 Likes: 69 |
I don't think my 2004 Roadster had the battery under the bonnet...I can't be absolutely sure but are you sure yours is the original situation?
Nick
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