Battery size / capacity. 2012 model.

[DV]

I would not say your battery is over it needs a full recharge and will be good as before...

[culzean]

@Culzean: Interestingly, I've just had a look at the engine bay and the battery is actually smaller than the tray it sits in. I estimate tray size about 1.5cm deeper and 1.5cm wider at first glance than the stock battery size.
This being the case, did your bigger one fit in the tray or did you discard that and simply brace it in there without it?
(Just out of curiosity - I'm sticking with stock if I can).

I've read about the concept of improving the grounding points in the car so  have added a thick ground lead from  Batt -ve to the chassis but am not sure what's changed (the lights still dim on fan start up).
What minimum gauge would you recommend and from where to where (Batt -ve to engine and chassis to engine block I presume)?

If I could reduce that annoying light dimming a simple way I'm up for it .

Mine was GD - not sure if you have GD or GE, was a bit tight going in, in hindsight I would look for a  Calcium alloy battery of 35 or 40 Ah (check post size and position) which have more oomph than standard antimony alloy

light bulbs are strange things, if you drop voltage by 10% the light output drops about 20%, which is noticeable - you only need bigger cable to engine for starting current ( 25mm2 is good,  35mm2 is better) to make sure more volts get to starter,  the standard size cable from engine to body will easily handle all running current (lights, wipers etc.) -

[guest1272]

Mine was GD - not sure if you have GD or GE, was a bit tight going in, in hindsight I would look for a  Calcium alloy battery of 35 or 40 Ah (check post size and position) which have more oomph than standard antimony alloy

light bulbs are strange things, if you drop voltage by 10% the light output drops about 20%, which is noticeable - you only need bigger cable to engine for starting current ( 25mm2 is good,  35mm2 is better) to make sure more volts get to starter,  the standard size cable from engine to body will easily handle all running current (lights, wipers etc.) -

Thanks  .

[stiggysawdust]

Many thanks everyone for your comments.
Alternator puts in a good charge but i have found that the negative terminal wasn't tight and came off in my hand when I checked it, so this will not have helped. I have refitted it now but still no improvement. Looks like battery is beyond redemption although the indicator on top of battery says it is fully charged.
Looks like a trip to Honda.
Been searching for prices and £40 ish seems to be a common price for replacement. Will be interesting to see what Honda will want to charge.

[chrisc]

A specific gravity test of the electrolyte using a hydrometer will give you an answer straight away.  If the battery is showing signs of death, replace it.  1.275 to 1.280 grams per cubic cm is what to look for.  If it does not give this reading after a 30 min run and 10 min rest during the day, then chuck it.

[stiggysawdust]

Well, still having problems with the battery. Charge rate is fine (14,2 volts at tickover), But if I sit in car with key in ignition and radio on plus other things that run such as aircon fan etc. then it goes flat in a few minutes.
Have just been to Honda who have checked it out and they say there is nothing wrong with the battery!
As the battery is only 2 1/2 years old I agree that it should be ok, but this problem is not going away and I find it unacceptable.
But what am I supposed to do?
At present I am driving around with a spare battery and jump leads in the boot. Not a great problem for me if I should have to jump start it, but no way is this acceptable if my wife has a problem.
Has anyone else having this problem?
If what Honda say about battery drain when ignition is on but engine not running, then everyone should have this problem.
I am wondering if a higher capacity battery would help, but I should not really have to consider this as the one supplied by Honda should be good enough to do the job as intended.
I love my Jazz but this is certainly taking the shine of the experience.
Any ideas anyone?

[JazzyB]

Why do need to have the ignition on for any length of time?

If you need the radio the first position is all thats needed.

A/c only works with the engine running.

[stiggysawdust]

Aircon fans in engine bay run when ignition on whether engine is running or not when aircon switch is set to auto.
Yes, you are right there is not normally any reason to go past the first click on ignition switch.
I have just received some helpful advice from the parts manager at www.coxmotorparts.co.uk and now think I will be able to live with what is apparently a normal situation.
Many thanks to all for your help.

[olduser1]

Save your money and run the vehicle on Shell unleaded

[culzean]

If voltage is 14.2 at tickover, should rise to about 14.5+ (probably 14.8 ) 
at about 2000rpm.

if you are doing reasonable mileage (at least 10 to 20 per day),
if you are not doing reasonable miles then you may be taking more
out of battery than you are putting in.

you may have to face the fact that you have a dud battery and
replace it. contrary to popular belief batteries don't last 10 years,
depends how they have been treated,The type of lead acid battery
fitted to cars (SLA starting, lighting and auxiliaries)  do not like
to be fully discharged or kept below 50% charge and they will develop
problems if this happens. Deep cycle batteries can be bought, but they
are normally called 'leisure batteries' and are designed to be deep cycled.
(for motor-homes and the like).

[peteo48]

Not sure if this adds anything to the discussion but my 2010 Jazz is on its second battery. The dealership replaced the battery before I took delivery last month. Is the original equipment a weak spot?

[Garyman]

Not sure if this adds anything to the discussion but my 2010 Jazz is on its second battery. The dealership replaced the battery before I took delivery last month. Is the original equipment a weak spot?

Might just be a "bad batch" ?

I'm still on the original battery and had my GE6 Jazz since March 2009

[stiggysawdust]

If voltage is 14.2 at tickover, should rise to about 14.5+ (probably 14.8 ) 
at about 2000rpm.

if you are doing reasonable mileage (at least 10 to 20 per day),
if you are not doing reasonable miles then you may be taking more
out of battery than you are putting in.

you may have to face the fact that you have a dud battery and
replace it. contrary to popular belief batteries don't last 10 years,
depends how they have been treated,The type of lead acid battery
fitted to cars (SLA starting, lighting and auxiliaries)  do not like
to be fully discharged or kept below 50% charge and they will develop
problems if this happens. Deep cycle batteries can be bought, but they
are normally called 'leisure batteries' and are designed to be deep cycled.
(for motor-homes and the like).

When I  bought the car it was 12 months old with only 3500 miles on the clock. when i had a test drive the battery was flat and had to be jump started. I think the damage had already been done.

[stiggysawdust]

Took car to Honda dealership in Leeds for the battery to be checked.
Result: Battery checked and is ok!
Two weeks later and wife is stuck in car park with a flat battery.
Not  impressed any longer with Honda.

[Defender]

A bigger capacity battery is only any good if it can be charged fully?
My commute is about 20 miles each way, which takes me approximately 30 minutes + whatever hold ups I encounter, that's more than enough time to recharge the battery on a cold winters morning or evening, even with lights, wipers and heater all on, but if the journey is less than 20minutes you might put you on dodgy ground, and repeatedly doing short journeys could lead to an early end for your battery.
The Jazz rearly sits for more than a few days without being used, this time of year I use my motorcycle for work, but the Jazz when out shopping or with family etc.
However my Land Rover sits for weeks without being started without any issues, but it has a much larger battery as it's a diesel. I have left it for several months on occasions and it can struggle and need a recharge first especially if it's been cold.