Hello Bondy
To address your second last post, the only true way to test a batteries performance is to measure its terminal voltage whilst it is under load.
I have tested a lot of batteries with a carbon pile tester. The procedure is to find out the battery capacity CCA or Ah, connect it up to the battery and wind the carbon piles in until the meter reads the batteries capacity, it is a 15 sec test and a 12v battery should not drop below 9.6V.
Because yours took sooooo long to charge up, from where I am sitting, I would say its not accepting charge.
A battery shop should test your battery for free with their electronic tester.
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To talk about your last post.
You have had a massive short to earth for what ever reason, exactly what we were trying to avoid, to state the obvious.
Good luck with the rewire, my advice is to do some dead testing on the OHMS range prior to connecting it up to the battery. When you are confident all is correct and are ready to connect it to the battery, ensure you can cut/remove power quickly if something isn't right.
Yes, Merry Christmas
From Mark
