AGM Failed at 16 months, warranty woes what can I do?
Submitted: Monday, Mar 20, 2006 at 18:19
ThreadID:
31948
Views:
3862
Replies:
12
FollowUps:
6
This Thread has been Archived
murphnet
This history of this relates to my previous thread, but basically I've got an 100Ah AGM that is 16months old and appears to drop a cell after it has been partially discharged (will run 8amps for an hour dropping voltage slowly through 12.55,12.5,12.45,12.4 then in a sudden crash drop to below 10v while under load, ie 5 minutes to go from 12.4 to 10v, but an hour to go from 12.55 to 12.4). I've done several tests now with help and advice from a few ExplorOz users and I'm pretty certain that the battery has failed, and I don't think it's my fault.
The battery is an Abosorbed Power brand and I purchased it through Bias Boating who had purchased through Powerdive who have now apparently gone bust/sold the battery business, I'm not sure which (bust/sold) but not selling batteries any more anyway.
I've spoken the the Absorbed Power (Orbis) guy and he told me that since he bought/took over the business from Powerdive that he can't warrant the battery and that I should speak to Bias to see what their arrangements are. I've spoken to Bias and they say that since Powerdive is no longer in business they can't handle the warranty and I need to speak straight to the manufacturer, Absorbed Power.
I don't know if there is anything that I can do, obviously I can't buy another Absorbed Power battery (although they're happy to sell me a new battery plus a new charger, yeh right, Bias seem happy to sell me a new battery too). I do have a new AGM that I had just purchased before I found out this one failed, I'm glad it's a different brand.
Anyway I figured I'd ask if anyone has any ideas on how I should proceed, currently just contemplating giving up, but maybe someone out there has a better idea for me.
As an aside, the Aborbed Power guy told me that "... the batteries need to be charged at 14.8 volts to gain 100% charge and if not 100% charged will quickly sulphate and die in around 16 months..." obviously the 16 months was tongue-in-cheek but the 14.8 (ie a high charge voltage) seems to contradict a lot of other info I've read/seen, has anyone got any ideas on this?
Thanks in advance for any ideas.
Murph
Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Monday, Mar 20, 2006 at 19:25
Monday, Mar 20, 2006 at 19:25
Absorbed Power should read their own website that has the data sheets for their AGM batteries.
http://www.absorbedpower.com/battery/pdf/GT12-100C-01feb06.pdf
Cyclic Voltage 14.4 to 15.0 volts - i.e 14.4 is sufficient.
Float Voltage 13.6 to 13.8 volts
My experience with Remco AGM is that it will charge fully at 13.8 volts.
Methinks they are looking for excuses.
Bias Boating took your money - if the product was defective they have to take responsibility. Talk to Dept of Fair Trading in your state.
But also consider the view of the manufacturer - they have no idea how
well or how badly you treated the battery.
Mike
AnswerID:
161734
Follow Up By: Member - DOZER- Tuesday, Mar 21, 2006 at 13:01
Tuesday, Mar 21, 2006 at 13:01
Agree wholeheartedly...they sold it to you, they have the burden of warrenty...(which they dont want because it will cost them sending it back)...you are entitled to pro rata at the least....and it shouldnt be this way...it is a problem of the seller who took on the responsibility of warrenty once they took on the selling rights and took the profit.
Tell them
John Laws is your cousin, set up outside their premisis with banners stating they cant be trusted.....get in their face or they will run you around.
Andrew
FollowupID:
416551
Reply By: AdlelaideGeorge - Tuesday, Mar 21, 2006 at 12:44
Tuesday, Mar 21, 2006 at 12:44
The question of whether you look to the FairTrading Act (State legislation that mirrors the Trade Practices Act [TPA] or the Trade Practices Act [Federal]) is one of business structure - were the vendors of the battery a corporation? If they were, the TPA applies. If they are a partnership or sole proprietor then the State Act applies.
With regards to the product 'warranty' it is irrelevant TO THE EXTENT THAT no contractual limitations to your rights (the posting re fit for the purpose/description is essentially correct) are effective in abrogating your legal rights under the TPA statutory warranty.
What this means is: if you were told or it is reasonable to conclude that your type of battery would last for X years, and the contractual warranty is for 6 months, the TPA provisions would apply and you would be afforded legal protection.
Don't give in - read the Act (it's easy to download/access from AUSTLII) and get some idea of your statutory warranty. Alternatively, go to a Community Legal Centre and get someone to explain your statutory rights under the consumer protection Acts.
AnswerID:
161905
Reply By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Wednesday, Mar 22, 2006 at 23:33
Wednesday, Mar 22, 2006 at 23:33
AGM on
test bench.
5.00pm Did a pre-test charge on a 50amp ABR Smart Charger. It went from 'BULK' to 'ABSORBSION' to 'FLOAT' in under 2 mins. (Already a problem ?)
6.00pm Charger still on 'FLOAT' 0.20 amps current flow.
6.45pm Removed Charger 13.4 volts
6.45pm Started a 4.25 amp discharge cycle 12.6 Volts
7.00pm Still discharging at 4.21 amps 12.6 Volts
7.50pm Still discharging at 4.20 amps 12.5 Volts
8.45pm Cell failure.
8.45pm Still discharging at 4.0amps 10.26 Volts
9.00pm Back on charger. 50amp ABR Smart Charger
9.01pm 'Bulk' to 'Absorb' in 25 seconds. 14.4 Volts
9.20pm 'Float' 13.82 Volts.
Will
check BIAS BOATING invoice and start warranty claim procedure on behalf of Murph.
Regards Derek.
AnswerID:
162386
Follow Up By: murphnet - Thursday, Mar 23, 2006 at 07:13
Thursday, Mar 23, 2006 at 07:13
Thankyou very much Derek, especially since this was not your responsibility, you have done me a huge favour.
You got the same results as I did, 8 amps for 1 hour for me, 4 amps for 2 hours for you = 8Ah.
Again, a huge thanks, you have gone "beyond your call of duty".
The invoice will show that I purchased the battery in October 2004. I discovered it had failed in February (as per my original post). 16-17 months.
FollowupID:
417108