need help my battery has gone flat and not sure why, all lights interior and exterior were off,
any help on what to check would be great.

If no lights and no start, definitely the battery. Check fuses though, including the big fusible links.

Batteries stop working if lights are left on (do'h) and sometimes a battery dies because it goes open circuit internally. Put it on a charger and see if it draws current/charges up.

If it takes a charge, run the engine and check voltage with a multimeter, the alternator may be the problem.

What type of battery is it? There are a lot of rubbish batteries out there now, some of which actually cost more than better Australian made batteries. One of the principal differences between an overseas battery and an Australia battery is the ability of the battery to withstand vibrations and knocks, something which batteries are much more prone to on Australian roads.

Thanks to all for the advice, since I needed the car and I refuse to drive
My wifes car, I went out and bought one. It is a century 75d23l.
The battery has not been changed since I have owned the car (march 2010)
Plus I have flattened it twice. I think it is just rooted, but will be getting
Things checked out.

What type of battery is it? There are a lot of rubbish batteries out there now, some of which actually cost more than better Australian made batteries. One of the principal differences between an overseas battery and an Australia battery is the ability of the battery to withstand vibrations and knocks, something which batteries are much more prone to on Australian roads.

HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, that made my century!!!!!!!

sorry ok now i've picked myself up off the floor from laughing, Batteries will never get 100% charge in most cars, so when batteries go flat they sulphate and thus reduces the life of the battery, once sulphation occurs the battery life slowly come to an end, as you have stated you have flattened it twice and not recharged it on a charger so it's just time for a new battery that i see you have now purchased, batteries don't last forever.

on a side note i would like to see these "better australian made batteries" refered to, as far as i'm aware i am yet to see an australian battery manufacturer spend $500,000,000 in the last finacial year on battery R & D and yet to see an australian made 100% MF range.

He commented on the running the battery flat after I made that comment :). Also, yes you are right about the sulphation! I was talking about the actual durability of the plates to withstand shock and vibration in a normal car battery.

Your comment about R&D in Australia for batteries is correct, but you have to remember Century has access to overseas R&D (it is afterall, Century Yuasu).

If you do buy a charger, ideally you get one that has a desulphation mode, and also one that has a calcium mode (since Century Hi-Performance and Ultra Hi-Performance batteries are calcium batteries). Calcium batteries don't mean they use calcium instead of lead, read up on it here:http://www.centurybatteries.com.au/index.php/component/docman/doc_download/2-battery-talk-issue-1

In terms of chargers, I have a Projecta Pro-Charge 8A which I think is pretty good value for money (especially if you can get it for around $100 or so like I did!). A Porjecta IC700 would also be a good value choice. For AGM batteries like the Optima's, the IC700 would definitely be preferable since it is designed for it.

You do realise that MF batteries are really just a marketing gimmick. Yes, it is true that the use less water, but that is because they are calcium batteries just like the Century! The difference is, with the Century battery at least you can top it up after a couple of years as required. MF batteries are designed to be 'thrown away' after a couple of years.

The fact is, people just like bad-mouthing Australian made stuff. It's all crap right? It's why our Magna's fall apart and are no good after 5 years like many of the imported cars people are buying these days.

I have a cheap SCA solar panel on my parcel shelf wired to the battery thru the light in the boot, haven't had a flat battery since I put it in a few months ago (at the start of winter), before that I was getting flat batteries weekly and was about to buy a new battery :D

Still can't believe it works, but I cant argue with the results...

Hey, if it works :). It basically does what running the car does, put in a 'bulk charge'. Still, a good battery charger I think is a good investment. I mean one with desulphation mode etc, not one that is essentially the same as running the car (bulk charging).

I was probably a bit harsh in my last post, but it was in response to the comment that essentially stated that they are bad batteries because they are made in Australia,lol

CYB (century as aussie know them) offer a rebadged calcium calcium battery out of korea marketed as there high performance range in a black case (i can even tell you the name of the factory and who buys out of it) so yes, however there "new" smart drive is a calcuim hybrid battery design they use antimonial positive plates and calcium negative plates, the first hybrid battery which is now outdated technology was first sold in australia in the early 90's.

Australian made is not crap, crap is australian consumers who don't wish to spend the money on products that cost more to make due to the higher minimum wages and material costs in australia.

I am fully aware of how batteries are made and who uses what technology especially since i teach people about batteries and get paid for it,
also curious as to how you have got your information? do you work with batteries ? auto elec? electrical engineer ? not having a dig just curious as i know part of it is spot on


Just to add i'm not stating there bad batteries, after all there not indonesian... just stating there is better and worse out there

CYB (century as aussie know them) offer a rebadged calcium calcium battery out of korea marketed as there high performance range in a black case (i can even tell you the name of the factory and who buys out of it) so yes, however there "new" smart drive is a calcuim hybrid battery design they use antimonial positive plates and calcium negative plates, the first hybrid battery which is now outdated technology was first sold in australia in the early 90's.

Australian made is not crap, crap is australian consumers who don't wish to spend the money on products that cost more to make due to the higher minimum wages and material costs in australia.

I am fully aware of how batteries are made and who uses what technology especially since i teach people about batteries and get paid for it,
also curious as to how you have got your information? do you work with batteries ? auto elec? electrical engineer ? not having a dig just curious as i know part of it is spot on


Just to add i'm not stating there bad batteries, after all there not indonesian... just stating there is better and worse out there

I've got a Bosch battery - an S4, about 2 years old now. Any thoughts on that?

need help my battery has gone flat and not sure why, all lights interior and exterior were off,
any help on what to check would be great.

Make sure the light in the Glovebox is turning off when the lid is closed, (If it has a light), and also check the same with the Boot Light..... (maybe get the Wife/GF to lie in the boot whilst you close the lid... and don't forget to let her out... lol)

At least you can rule them out.. :)

Cheers milo will check that out.