Run down battery

[FLAT 6]

I read a lot of posts on here about trickle chargers etc but haven't payed any attention since I normally drive my motor most days and have never had a battery problem.

It's been in the garage now for about 2 weeks but with the alarm off so the battery doesn't run down. The battery's run down....the only thing that I can think has caused this was my phone charger - it was still plugged into the lighter socket (which I've just noticed is permanently on - even with the ignition off - is this usual???).

Is a phone charger enough to run a battery down over 2 weeks?? Is there something more fundamental about a Tuscan that means battery discharge?

Serves me right for not driving it every day - it's punishing me!!!!

[Whitey]

it will not be the phone charger, just the fact that even unalarmed you will be lucky to get more than 3 weeks or so from a charged new battery.

The fact you got 2 weeks is normal for a battery that's no longer operating at full capacity.

A trickle charger is the way forward and keep an eye on the battery, might be an idea to get a new one soon.

[so called]

I got a 2W solar panel charger as I leave my Tuscan in airports for 3 to 5 weeks at a time.
Its always flat when I get back regardless of the solar charger.
All the airport car park people know me and are annoyed at having to jump start me every month.
Even the German ADAC man knows me by my first name.

Every time I land I calculate 30 minutes for the bags and 1 hour to get my Tuscan running. Still dont care as I love the car. .
TVR's sure do teach you how to be patient dont they.

[Fume Troll]

The battery on my Tuscan runs down in <2 weeks, even when brand new. Most of the drain seems to be going to the door ECU circuits, but that's as far as I've got investigating it so far.

Cheers,

FT.

[tuscan mark]

trust me - its the boot bulb, take it out - common problem

[Fume Troll]

tuscan mark said:

trust me - its the boot bulb, take it out - common problem

Not on mine it's not.

Cheers,

FT.

[Whitey]

or mine.

[johncaul]

Hello all, apologies for butting in but i've got battery issues with my tuscan 2 as well. I took it out for a spin on sat, got home, got out to open the gate at which point the car refused to start. Luckily a couple of "volunteers" where on habd to help push the car in! The AA got the car to start with a jump and confirmed the alternator is OK, i left the car running for 20 mins, cut the engine, tried to re-start but nothing so i guess the battery isn't charging and so is kaput? I don't fancy paying 90 quid an hour to get it sorted, so has anyone got advice how else i can get it changed? I guess the AA could do it but will it mess up the imobiliser, alarm etc if the job isn't done by a main dealer? Thanks all. John

[Fume Troll]

Do you know how the AA guy tested the alternator? There is a big fuse which protects the alternator - if it has gone it may not charge, but the alternator might seem OK depending how it was tested.

Cheers,

FT.

[johncaul]

he tested it by hooking his voltometer(?) to my jump leads, reading was around 13.5 volts with the engine running, but it dropped off to around 12v with the engine switched off. Also, the head lights etc all seem to run OK with the engine running so i guess the alternator is ok? Cheers

[Fume Troll]

Yes, your battery should be showing about 12.6V when everything is off, sounds like it's not very healthy. A voltage around 12V normally indicates about 25% charge.

What's odd though is that it started and ran, engine was warm, and then wouldn't re-start - I wouldn't have expected that from an unhealthy battery alone. Worth checking that your earth strap is okay too.

Cheers,

FT.

[johncaul]

Thanks for yout help FT, the car only started initially with some heavy jumping from the AA. Either way sounds like a dealer job... Time to start saving. John

[Fume Troll]

I doubt you'd need a dealer to be honest, most Tuscans seem to have a pretty high battery drain when left with "everything" off. Many people blame the immobiliser or the boot light circuit, but mine seems to be drained by the door opening system.

Either way, it's a common problem and once your battery has been fully flattened by that sort of drain, it's going to be in bad shape and need replaced. Even if you're running it an hour or so a day, you're still discharging it for the other 23 hours and the battery condition does degrade over time.

Once you've got a new battery in, keeping it topped up with a trickle charger (probably even if you use it daily, but especially if it's not going to be used for a couple of weeks) it will probably be fine. Doesn't cure the problem, but it cures the symptoms!

Cheers,

FT.

[johncaul]

Thanks for your help FT, this may sound like a basic question but is it possible to change the battery without getting the wheel off and if i do change it myself will the alarm and immobiliser system be OK? Thanks again John.

[Fume Troll]

No problem!

I don't have a Tuscan 2, someone else would be able to confirm, but I think you have to take the wheel off as you do with the T1 - it's not hard though.

The alarm might go off when you reconnect the new battery, but it won't do any harm. Just deactivate it with the key fob. Last time I disconnected the battery I left the trickle charger plugged into the anderson connector under the car to prevent the alarm being re-set.

Cheers,

FT.