Notices
General Technical
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

Battery

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 23, 2015 | 12:20 PM
  #1  
MrJim's Avatar
MrJim
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
Default Battery

Hi guys any advice please my battery is ok but it runs down if left for more than 3-4 days and I have to jump start it I've had the battery checked the car is 02 sti prodrive cheers guys
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2015 | 02:08 PM
  #2  
bugeyedom's Avatar
bugeyedom
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: hampshire
Default

could be numerous things, the car i owned previously had a dodgy light inside the boot and was staying on 24/7 which used to drain my battery.

alternator not functioning properly? bad connection to battery?
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2015 | 02:54 PM
  #3  
johned's Avatar
johned
Scooby Regular
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,002
Likes: 16
From: derbyshire
Default

Is it a smart alternator.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2015 | 05:04 PM
  #4  
alcazar's Avatar
alcazar
Scooby Regular
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 40,787
Likes: 30
From: Rl'yeh
Default

Probably on that car.
Smart alternator requires a load across it before it will charge, try driving with the internal fans on, or use the hrw a bit more, drive on dips etc.

If it just goes flat over a couple of days, it may not be holding charge.

Mine went a bit like that, I HATE flat battery, so swapped it for a YUOSA, online at about £65, Halfords want £100.

I also now have a C-Tek battery conditioner.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2015 | 05:14 PM
  #5  
matt-c's Avatar
matt-c
Scooby Regular
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,557
Likes: 125
From: Essex
Default

As above C-Tek is your friend in this case.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2015 | 05:54 PM
  #6  
Cpt Jack Sparrow's Avatar
Cpt Jack Sparrow
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 0
From: Bedfordshire
Default

Great piece of kit
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2015 | 08:30 PM
  #7  
johned's Avatar
johned
Scooby Regular
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,002
Likes: 16
From: derbyshire
Default

+1 for yuasa.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2015 | 09:01 PM
  #8  
MrJim's Avatar
MrJim
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
Default

Cheers guys I've checked the light in the boot that's ok so I will try running fans and side lights when I'm driving
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2015 | 09:17 PM
  #9  
ZANY's Avatar
ZANY
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,082
Likes: 131
From: P1234x
Default Solutions

Originally Posted by alcazar
Probably on that car.
Smart alternator requires a load across it before it will charge, try driving with the internal fans on, or use the hrw a bit more, drive on dips etc.

If it just goes flat over a couple of days, it may not be holding charge.

Mine went a bit like that, I HATE flat battery, so swapped it for a YUOSA, online at about £65, Halfords want £100.

I also now have a C-Tek battery conditioner.
Hi boss I've just checked and you need a gArage before you can use a ctek unfortunately my man cave is still in the pipeline do you have any solutions apart from me taking my battery leads off as I don't drive it like a month or two at a time thanks in advance
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2015 | 09:44 PM
  #10  
alcazar's Avatar
alcazar
Scooby Regular
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 40,787
Likes: 30
From: Rl'yeh
Default

Can you not run a power lead outside to the car?

Removing battery leads only works if the battery is OK, if it's dropped a cell, or not holding charge, it will go flat on it's own. Sorry.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2015 | 09:50 PM
  #11  
ZANY's Avatar
ZANY
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,082
Likes: 131
From: P1234x
Default

Yeh battery is all good done it on the last one for 5 years no problems always leave Windows abut open with a tumbler glass of salt so I don't get no moss and damp growing lol!! But if there was a way if keeping the battery preserved without mains or solar energy it would be great guess I'll wait for the construction of my man cave thanks alcazar for reply
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2015 | 10:15 PM
  #12  
johned's Avatar
johned
Scooby Regular
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,002
Likes: 16
From: derbyshire
Default

Originally Posted by ZANY
Yeh battery is all good done it on the last one for 5 years no problems always leave Windows abut open with a tumbler glass of salt so I don't get no moss and damp growing lol!! But if there was a way if keeping the battery preserved without mains or solar energy it would be great guess I'll wait for the construction of my man cave thanks alcazar for reply
Never heard of the tumblar of salted water before please enlighten me.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2015 | 10:25 PM
  #13  
little'un's Avatar
little'un
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,120
Likes: 0
From: InTheSticks
Default

Get the battery load/drop tested

Use a multimeter to check the voltage across the battery terminals with the engine running and lights on to see if it's charging.

It's most likely to be a dying battery that needs replacing.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2015 | 10:19 AM
  #14  
alcazar's Avatar
alcazar
Scooby Regular
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 40,787
Likes: 30
From: Rl'yeh
Default

Originally Posted by johned
Never heard of the tumblar of salted water before please enlighten me.
Not salt water, salt. Would work better on a flat, deepish tray...more area exposed to the air

Salt is hygroscopic, it picks up moisture from the atmosphere, so drying it.

I'd never do this...knowing my luck, the salt would spill and rust my car in a matter of days......

Oh...and you can "regenerate" the salt for re-use by placing in a low oven, 120 deg for half an hour.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2015 | 10:35 AM
  #15  
Linus27's Avatar
Linus27
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Default

I have those little moisture bags dotted about in my car. Hardly ever get any condensation inside the car now. It was something I was told to do when I had my Lotus Elise which was terrible for having condensation on the inside.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2015 | 12:08 PM
  #16  
ZANY's Avatar
ZANY
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,082
Likes: 131
From: P1234x
Default

Originally Posted by alcazar
Not salt water, salt. Would work better on a flat, deepish tray...more area exposed to the air

Salt is hygroscopic, it picks up moisture from the atmosphere, so drying it.

I'd never do this...knowing my luck, the salt would spill and rust my car in a matter of days......

Oh...and you can "regenerate" the salt for re-use by placing in a low oven, 120 deg for half an hour.
Top man I've got a flatter tray advice taken thx
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2015 | 09:41 PM
  #17  
johned's Avatar
johned
Scooby Regular
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,002
Likes: 16
From: derbyshire
Default

Then salt is similar but not as good as silica gel maybe.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2015 | 10:29 PM
  #18  
Paben's Avatar
Paben
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,744
Likes: 1
From: Taken to the hills
Default

My problem was caused by a Tracker unit draining the battery. It would be flat within 4-5 days if the car was not driven. I was assured by Tracker that this was not the case but since discontinuing their service and disconnecting the unit I've had no battery problems.
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2015 | 11:36 AM
  #19  
alcazar's Avatar
alcazar
Scooby Regular
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 40,787
Likes: 30
From: Rl'yeh
Default

Originally Posted by johned
Then salt is similar but not as good as silica gel maybe.
Yes, has similar properties, but cheaper and easier to get.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Swiss tone
General Technical
42
Dec 9, 2015 12:50 PM
pp1
Wales
11
Oct 28, 2015 10:58 PM
scooby kid
ScoobyNet General
33
Oct 18, 2015 09:25 PM
Khandaris
ScoobyNet General
26
Oct 14, 2015 06:17 PM




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:01 AM.