T-Series Batteries

Art Mafli

At times I have heard "T" owners complain about their batteries. The complaints are: "When I tried to start the car the engine would hardly turn over and I had to use the Crank." or: "I tried to start the car and the battery was dead." In this article I would like to examine the causes of battery failure and offer some solutions. Of course, if you drive your "T" 52 weeks of the year there is no need to read further.

First, we know that the batteries we use in our MGs are lead acid batteries and have been used in cars and trucks for more than 100 years. They are called secondary batteries meaning that they can be recharged. They are designed to start a vehicle, giving a large current flow for 20 or so seconds and then accept a charge from the generator which recharges the battery. Thus, using the car regularly keeps the battery charged.

"So why do batteries fail?", a "T" owner may ask. The first answer that comes to mind is that the battery has not been kept fully charged. This may happen to those of us "T" owners who live where the winters are wet and cold with snow or rain, in which case we drive our cars very little or not at all. We know that we should never let a lead acid battery be discharged below 10.5 volts and never allow it to be left in a discharged state. Once the battery is fully discharged the plates will sulfate and this kills the battery. Another culprit is excessive heat. High temperatures will deteriorate a battery's life more quickly by evaporating the water from the electrolyte and corroding and weakening the positive grids. Severe cold is another situation to be avoided. Some folks take their "T" batteries into the house when the temperatures drop below freezing.

The use of what is called a "Battery Maintainer" may not be a good idea. This battery maintainer is a small transformer with two leads to the battery. It puts out a steady 12 volts. The trouble with this is that it never shuts off which means that it overcharges the battery and causes the water in the battery to boil, damaging the battery.

There are good solutions to battery failure. The first I would like to offer is the "Battery Float Charger". Unlike the Battery Maintainer, this is a charger which charges a battery and then automatically turns off when the battery is fully charged. Since sulfation is enemy of battery life, a product that reduces it would be helpful. One such product I have found is called "Battery Equalizer." By using a half to one ounce in each cell of a 12 volt battery one can reduce sulfation, thus giving the battery a longer life.

Last, batteries in "T" series cars tend to 'leak' electricity. In just a week or two after fully recharging a battery it may be low on power again. The answer to this is a "Battery Cut-off Switch." I have had good success with this switch for years.

These are just a few thoughts to cure your battery woes. Of course those "T" owners who drive their MGs all year long will have no need for this battery chatter.

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T-Series Batteries Art Mafli At times I have heard "T" owners complain about their batteries. The complaints are: "When I tried to start the car the engine would hardly turn over and I had to use the Crank." or: "I tried to start the car and the battery was dead." In this article I would like to examine the causes of battery failure and offer some solutions. Of course, if you drive your "T" 52 weeks of the year there is no need to read further. First, we know that the batteries we use in our MGs are lead acid batteries and have been used in cars and trucks for more than 100 years. They are called secondary batteries meaning that they can be recharged. They are designed to start a vehicle, giving a large current flow for 20 or so seconds and then accept a charge from the generator which recharges the battery. Thus, using the car regularly keeps the battery charged. "So why do batteries fail?", a "T" owner may ask. The first answer that comes to mind is that the battery has not been kept fully charged. This may happen to those of us "T" owners who live where the winters are wet and cold with snow or rain, in which case we drive our cars very little or not at all. We know that we should never let a lead acid battery be discharged below 10.5 volts and never allow it to be left in a discharged state. Once the battery is fully discharged the plates will sulfate and this kills the battery. Another culprit is excessive heat. High temperatures will deteriorate a battery's life more quickly by evaporating the water from the electrolyte and corroding and weakening the positive grids. Severe cold is another situation to be avoided. Some folks take their "T" batteries into the house when the temperatures drop below freezing. The use of what is called a "Battery Maintainer" may not be a good idea. This battery maintainer is a small transformer with two leads to the battery. It puts out a steady 12 volts. The trouble with this is that it never shuts off which means that it overcharges the battery and causes the water in the battery to boil, damaging the battery. There are good solutions to battery failure. The first I would like to offer is the "Battery Float Charger". Unlike the Battery Maintainer, this is a charger which charges a battery and then automatically turns off when the battery is fully charged. Since sulfation is enemy of battery life, a product that reduces it would be helpful. One such product I have found is called "Battery Equalizer." By using a half to one ounce in each cell of a 12 volt battery one can reduce sulfation, thus giving the battery a longer life. Last, batteries in "T" series cars tend to 'leak' electricity. In just a week or two after fully recharging a battery it may be low on power again. The answer to this is a "Battery Cut-off Switch." I have had good success with this switch for years. These are just a few thoughts to cure your battery woes. Of course those "T" owners who drive their MGs all year long will have no need for this battery chatter.

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