Fricking Battery

Battery lost power today - Dash showed all was well but clearly not the case. I went offroading and did some wading (as I did will previous 90) and charging warning came on but as it dried out, it went off so assumed all was well. I dont understand how battery loses charge when alternator (apparently) is charging it but I am no mechanic. Given I have had this twice, with 2 cars, is this common, any views on solution ? Car is 90 200tdi 1993

Is the battery sealed? did water get into the battery through the tops?

When the warning light is out it BASICLY means the output from the alt is higher than the batterys voltage (in basic terms)

If the battery is dead all the charging in the world will not make it hold charge

Aye, water got in, still there (only noticed) and some moisture around connections. The battery has been gd prior to the atlantic passing though it.. I sense that if I recharged, battery would be good so is it my "housekeeping" that is the prob

If 'dirty' water has got into the cells then im afraid that battery is likely to be fooked, whatever you do to it.

The water will contain chemicals tha will have likely reacted with the acid in the battery, and changed its chemical ballance, or coated the lead plates in some other non conductive chemical or both.....

Either that or it has washed out a load of the acid as well.

I'd wash out the battery box with lots of water before any spilt acid starts to eat away at the body work!

I suggest you get a sealed battery (one without removable plugs if your going wading), or more it to a higher place....

Understood, thanks chap