Battery Vehicle Society

When was th last time you inspected the brushes.

Could be broken/worn brush, or brush(s) sticking in holders. Does it tend to do it under high load.

I have a few spare parts for Lucas / Bedford CF if anyone is running one and would like them.

Send me a PM

John

Sorry but that is simply not true. If you read the tech spec of the STM range and the SAFT ULM range for aircraft use the construction of the cells is the same. The seperator failures in early STM 100's is well documented and was a recognised early failure mode of these batterys. The statement "...

Yes I agree anything is worth a try for cells that are Kaput. You need to get them into a known condition. The way to do this is to discharge completely, ending up with a short circuit across the two terminals (not straight away, gentle discharge 1st). Once this is done empty the potassium hydroxide...

I think the damage is done the next time you use the van and the battery charge is depleted. The problem with this method is that as you drive the vehicle after topping up in this way, is that more electrolyte is available as a liquid the flatter the cells become. Therefore as you drive the next tim...

That light (Orange, picture of a diode) indicates a leakage current. My van has also had this light on for 3 years with no apparent detrimental affect. It is a permanant fault and cannot be cleared usingt the Lexia or Citroens own workshop tool the DIAG 2000. It appears to be a result of carbon dust...

Yup - same on all. Two bolts to loosen to rotate brush carrier, that you can get to either through the front wheel well (take wheel off) or if you are underneath in say a pit or the car is on ramps, you can get to by feel. Dont forget to re-align the rotating brush carrier using the alignment holes ...

Yes the one near the 12volt battery. One is a fuse, one is a link. Take both out if you wish for peace of mind.
Drive very steadily and slowly to start with on the new brushes, they will take a while to bed in.

Dont forget to :

remove the traction fuse,
only LOOSEN the brush carrier nuts to allow rotation
NOT overtighten the bolts holding the brush tails to the carrier mounting
Finally make sure you get them in the correct way round if you have bevelled brushes.

John

Nope - water it now. Withing 30 mins of taking of off maint charge.