How many batteries drain, how many don't

[jonbarrett]

Are there any Cerberas out there that don't discharge their battery within four to six-weeks of non use. I'm just trying to discover if they are all flawed and then look for the problem and a fix. Or are some OK? If so, what is the trend: age, engine type, mileage, alarm type etc.

Mine losses charge: 1997, 4.5, 55,000miles, replacement alarm (checking type)

[Brummmie]

No problems, 1997 std electrics as far as i know.

[SmokinV8]

Mine loses charge, 1997 4.2 with 40k ( optima r/t now so shouldnt be so bad)

[HarryW]

4 to 6 weeks I wish, even my euro wagon would struggle at 6 weeks tbh.
My Cerb doesn't like more than 2 weeks, sometimes 1 week is pushing it . I'd like to hear of Cerb that can do 4/6 weeks and if so what have they done to achieve it.

[neil0205]

My battery used to last between 5-7 days before I got one of these. http://www.tayna.co.uk/Optima-Red-Top-RT-C-4.2-P42... Now it starts with a bang first time every time! Definately recommend them.

[Dave_M]

4.5 drains after 7 days, even the trickle charger doesn't seem to be enough now

[Byker28i]

No problem with mine but then it's on the optimate after every drive. The alarm will flattern the battery after about 2 weeks, but then that's the same with my motorbike as well.

[C2HYM]

Mines never sat for longer than 4 weeks, but fired first time when it was.

[volospian]

Mine loses charge, 1997 4.2 with ~40k

[Storer]

Dealer I just bought mine from has battery conditioners plugged in to every TVR he has and recommended I get one.

All cars with alarms will eventually flatten the battery and any battery just left sitting around disconnected will go flat after a few months.

[optimax sniffer]

I replaced my battery earlier this year and have had no problems since. The battery I replaced was 4 years old.

[ro_butler]

My old cerb 4.2 used to be flat within 2 weeks, it was a '98.
The newer one (4.5 2000) is ok for up to 4 weeks.

Both standard as far as alarms are concerned.

[fatjon]

Mine was no more than a week, replaced the entire standard alarm system with a new modern unit with door/boot popping/proximity etc and now it's fine for at least 3 weeks. Pretty sure based on this that the alarm is the key to the battery drain problem as it has had nothing else done of any consequence.

Jon

[Cerbdog]

Haven't had mine drain yet, 3 weeks is the longest it's been left.

[jonbarrett]

Well thanks for the responses to date. What a mixed bag we have. My battery is 2-years old and turns the engine strongly when used regularly. But with in weeks its flat. My car is garaged and so I leave the alarm off. However, there are obviously many circuits still live, or example, the door catches and storage caddy for the CD player. Are these circuits simply poorly designed and leaking current. Given the poor quality connectors and general damp conditions inside many hidden areas are these joints leaking current.

Keep the comments coming.

I plan to work through the fuse board one circuit at a time and map the current drain. Probably a job for the weekend.

[coey 4.2]

Hi, try disconnecting the battery and connecting a multimeter (set to Amps) between the battery and the car this will re-connect the battery through the meter and will then give you the amount of discharge, this will probably be around 30/40 Milli-amps which is mormal, then see how many amp/hour your battery is rated at, you can then work out how long it should last before total discharge, if it is a lot less then a new battery is in order.
I would get a red top Optima, these last for years.

[HarryW]

fatjon said:

Mine was no more than a week, replaced the entire standard alarm system with a new modern unit with door/boot popping/proximity etc and now it's fine for at least 3 weeks. Pretty sure based on this that the alarm is the key to the battery drain problem as it has had nothing else done of any consequence.

Jon

Only problem with that is I leave mine unlocked and do not set the alarm whilst its in the garage and it still dies within 2 weeks

[HarryW]

coey 4.2 said:

Hi, try disconnecting the battery and connecting a multimeter (set to Amps) between the battery and the car this will re-connect the battery through the meter and will then give you the amount of discharge, this will probably be around 30/40 Milli-amps which is mormal, then see how many amp/hour your battery is rated at, you can then work out how long it should last before total discharge, if it is a lot less then a new battery is in order.
I would get a red top Optima, these last for years.

Good scheme, might try that are you sure of the 30/40mA figure or is that just a guess

[Ireland]

Mine has never sat still for more than a week since I got it.

In the beginning I used the trickle charger but now I never use it.

[SmokinV8]

I was thinking of installing a battery cut off switch in mine to enable a quick shut off in an emergency and/or a further means of disabling the vehicle. But, the cut off would work well if the car is unlocked in a garage to prevent battery drain as well. However I wondered if there was anyway that it could be configured to allow the windows and door locks to still operate when turned off then I could use it anywhere?