Disconnect the charger and turn on the lights for a few minutes. If the
battery stays near 12 volts, you are good. If it quickly drops to 10,
you need a battery.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: tolga [mailto:tolga@mac.com]
Sent: Saturday, January 08, 2005 11:37 PM
To: Dennis Haynes; Vanagon List Post
Subject: RE: charging system problem? battery sitting for a while.

Hi Dennis,

How do I figure out if the battery has a shorted cell without just going

to buy another?  If I recharge it overnight and the voltage goes up
higher, to the 12.65V or so that Alistair mentions, does that mean it
doesn't have a shorted cell?

Thanks!
  Tolga

>If the battery has a shorted cell, the alternator will have difficulty
>keeping up. Operating this way during an extended drive will cause the
>battery to overheat, boil, make nasty smells, etc., in addition to
>straining and eventually damaging the alternator.
>
>Dennis