valve regulated lead acid batt question

[Kent McLean]

Brett Dikeman wrote:
> I've got a Valve regulated lead acid battery(ie, looks like a gel
> cell) that I'm trying to charge.
<snip>

I'm no expert, but since no one is jumping in here,  I can tell you a
gel cell story...

While I was done south this winter/spring with my Audi, my Miata
sat up in NH during one of the coldest winters in years (-25F for a
few days).  The Miata had sat for 4 or more weeks. It has a tiny gel
cell. When I tried to start the car, it was dead. Not even a click.

The Miata list said charge it at 1 amp for 24 hours. When that didn't
work, they said try it for 48 hours. That didn't do anything either. Then
someone suggested hitting it with a 5-6 amp charger for 1 hour, then
with the 1 amp charger for 24. I put a 6 amp charger on it for an hour.
Dead. I gave it 2 hours. It started to get warm. I think I gave it about 6
hours at 6 amps, then put the 1 amp charger on it.  After 24 hours, it
was still dead.

So, I don't know if it was so dead nothing would work, or if I killed it
with too many hours at 6 amps. In either case, you may want to
consider the Miata lists recommendation: 1 amp for 24 (or 48) hours.
If that doesn't work, then 1 hour with a 6 amp charger, followed by a
1 amp charge for 24 hours.  Maybe you'll have better luck.

Kent
'89 200 TQ, "Bad Puppy"