Battery Drain

[John042]

Hi All, a re-ocurring theme in posts seems to be batteries going flat and how to charge etc through the cigar lighter. Question, what makes Chim' batteries go flat so regularly compared to other cars? Is it an agressive alarm/imobiliser system (Meta) or an inherit TVR wiring problem? I appreciate a large number of Chim's don't get the use they deserve but mine if not used for about a week/10 days does suffer from reluctance to turn over. Thanks for any thoughts. Cheers John042

[MADMAX2]

get yourself an Accumate trickle charger you will never worry about not starting when you leave it for a while standing

[Aussie John]

I say Bu**er the chargers, I put a battery switch in the Griff and it started first turn of the key after 6 months.

[madasafrog666]

I keep mine on a trickle charger also via a connection in the passenger footwell. Battery is full all of the time........simples! :]

[Ribol]

John042 said:

.......... a re-ocurring theme in posts seems to be batteries going flat and how to charge etc

I think a lot of these problems are due to type of usage.

Mine is a used as a second car, I never take it out (always garaged) for short journeys and probably use it 3/4 times a week in summer, in winter that drops to maybe 1/2 times a week.

I have left it parked for over a month several times over the years, it has always started first time.

I don't have an accumate or similar, I do have the standard factory fit Meta Alarm.

From my experience it isn't something they all suffer from.

[ralphy12345]

FWIW my car hadn't been started in nearly two years when I went to look at it, only attached to an Accumate.

Armed with a spare battery and jump-leads to fall back on I turned the key - and she turned over (for about 10 verrrrry long seconds) then burst into life!

Since then I've found the battery will flatten within 7-10 days, but as she's now connected to my Optimate there's never a problem.

(I've assumed it is the alarm that drains the battery).

R

[John042]

Thanks for the relies. Yes agreed a Optimate or similar solves the problem but not the cause. My conclusion is the aggressive Meta alarm drain and infrequent use. However I remember a past post which point towards a defective alternator diode draining the battery when parked? Is this possible? Cheers feastive greetings. Still gloating over my self constructed carbon fibre dashboard, looks the business with cream leather. John042

[ralphy12345]

John042 said:

Still gloating over my self constructed carbon fibre dashboard, looks the business with cream leather. John042

Oooh, sounds a nice combo!

Pics please!!!

R

[Ribol]

John042 said:

My conclusion is the aggressive Meta alarm drain and infrequent use. However I remember a past post which point towards a defective alternator diode draining the battery when parked? Is this possible?

Usually if a diode goes on the alternator the warning light glows (check in dark) with ignition off, but not always.

If you suspect the alternator is at fault the easiest way to check it is to disconnect it when you park it up and see if it solves your problem.

[John042]

Thanks haven't really noticed the ignition warning light glowing when static but will check when elects are re-assembled. My experience of diodes is, that they are not to be trusted. Work as advertised but then with heat/vibration can cause intermittent problems. Will try and get a pic without triggering the flash reflection on the dashboard. John042

[Ribol]

John042 said:

Thanks haven't really noticed the ignition warning light glowing when static but will check when elects are re-assembled. My experience of diodes is, that they are not to be trusted. Work as advertised but then with heat/vibration can cause intermittent problems. Will try and get a pic without triggering the flash reflection on the dashboard. John042

Never had an intermittent problem on an alternator diode pack, once they start to go they never come back.

I would try something non techie like looking at the W/L in the dark first

[scruggs]

I imagine the old fashioned analogue clock must take a bit of power as well. Also I always unplug the CD multichanger in the boot if I park it up for more than a week or so as this seems to be 'live' even when the ICE is switched off.

[rabowman]

Have a look at my post titled 'nasty discharge'
Very good advise from fellow sufferers, and problem cured

[nikman]

I've seen so many posts like this one and all they achieve is getting our cars an undeserved poor reputation. There is NO exceptional battery drain attributable to either the Meta alarm or the clock!

I have left my car in it's unheated remote garage for 5+ weeks on several occasions with the alarm set and the clock running I have no trickle charger or any such device yet it has never falied to start first time with plenty of energy coming from the battery.

When the (Halfords) battery was about 4.5 years old, I noticed a distinct reduction in battery output and noticed that it wouldn't hold it's full charge for as long as during the previous few years. IF you reach this point yet try to eek a few more months life from your old battery then with low usage, you'll see all the symptoms posted here!

I replaced mine with the 072 type Varta battery pictured here. http://www.carbatteries-online.co.uk/carbattery072...

Fantastic service from these people. The battery arrived, very well packaged, less than 48 hopurs after ordering it! I bought the car with the previous battery just 8 months old but don't remember it ever turning the engine over as quicklly as this one does.

There's NO exceptional drain to any of the accessories on a Chimaera but low usage can quicken the demise of an already failing battery.

[Ribol]

scruggs said:

I always unplug the CD multichanger in the boot if I park it up for more than a week or so as this seems to be 'live' even when the ICE is switched off.

The permanent live is only there in case you want to eject the carousel when everything is switched off, it won't drain anything.