Battery life on T350

[rico23]

Went to drive my T350 on Sunday and the battery was flat. This annoyed me for two reasons other than I couldn't drive it:

1) It had a long run on Wednesday night so had only been left 3 whole days.
2) It had a new battery fitted in February.

I know it's a TVR etc but I wouldn't have thought the battery would go flat so quick. When I put it on charge last night it was completely flat. Any ideas? Something draining the battery?

It has been left longer than 3 days with no problems.

[RedSpike66]

You sure you not left the lights on ??
Also, sometimes, the LCD display doesn't switch off/power down - cause of my only flat battery incident in 4 years...

[mr lock pick]

Richard

This use to happen to me often matey. The alarm alone drains the battery. Winter time it's even worse. I never looked into it as I thought this was normal. Let me know if you find the solution, other than the battery conditioners.

[rico23]

RedSpike66 said:

You sure you not left the lights on ??
Also, sometimes, the LCD display doesn't switch off/power down - cause of my only flat battery incident in 4 years...

No lights definitely off. As far as I remember the dash is powering down and the lights going off. I took it for a long run last night to charge it up and have left it today to see if it starts again tomorrow night or is flat again.

[rico23]

mr lock pick said:

Richard

This use to happen to me often matey. The alarm alone drains the battery. Winter time it's even worse. I never looked into it as I thought this was normal. Let me know if you find the solution, other than the battery conditioners.

Chris,

Interesting to hear that, maybe it is just the alarm. I have left it for longer with no problems. Like I said I've left it today and will try tomorrow. If it's flat again I know there's a problem.

Off topic: just to let you know I am booked up for Le Mans so am definitely going.

[mr lock pick]

Interesting matey. I am off to Vegas this week, email me details and I will be in touch on my return.

[rico23]

mr lock pick said:

Interesting matey. I am off to Vegas this week, email me details and I will be in touch on my return.

Will do, have a great time.

[darkmark07]

Had the same problem recently. Problem was a faulty alternator.

The current drain was so high that even with an Accumate connected, the battery went flat within a week. Symptoms include the POD display being on even with the car off (and locked) and the alternator being warm to the touch.

Other possibility is a sticking relay. I'll post a link to my original thread in a minute...

ETA: http://mobile.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=...

Edited by darkmark07 on Wednesday 6th April 14:12

[rico23]

darkmark07 said:

Had the same problem recently. Problem was a faulty alternator.

The current drain was so high that even with an Accumate connected, the battery went flat within a week. Symptoms include the POD display being on even with the car off (and locked) and the alternator being warm to the touch.

Other possibility is a sticking relay. I'll post a link to my original thread in a minute...

ETA: http://mobile.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=...

Edited by darkmark07 on Wednesday 6th April 14:12

Many thanks darkmark. The POD display is switching on and off correctly. I thought maybe there'd be a problem with the alternator as the battery is new. I will try it again tonight and if its flat again i'll check the alternator.

[darkmark07]

No worries: hope that it is of use...

That's assuming (of course) that the battery is being charged properly in the first place... What voltage are you getting on the POD with the engine running?

[rico23]

Can't remember exactly but the same as i was before, between 12-14v.

[darkmark07]

No worries: hope that it is of use...

That's assuming (of course) that the battery is being charged properly in the first place... What voltage are you getting on the POD with the engine running?

[rico23]

Well I tried it again today and the battery was flat again after two days.

The dash is saying power supply fault and heater flap fault.

Jumped it again and it started and is running fine. Any ideas?

[Targarama]

How old is the battery? I'd change it after 5 years anyway as a precaution.

[darkmark07]

rico23 said:

Well I tried it again today and the battery was flat again after two days.

The dash is saying power supply fault and heater flap fault.

Jumped it again and it started and is running fine. Any ideas?

Those are reasonably standard 'flat battery' errors - best guess is still stuck relay or faulty alternator.

My alternator was still charging the battery and gave it more than enough juice to run the car but was allowing some current to backfeed - current draw with the ignition off was > 1A - therefore flat battery within a couple of days...

I had trouble getting my head 'round it at first but post service (and alternator replacement) it's not missed a beat.

[rico23]

Targarama said:

How old is the battery? I'd change it after 5 years anyway as a precaution.

It was on the original battery of 5 years but it was replaced in February.

I think as darkmark said it's a stuck relay or the alternator.

[rico23]

darkmark07 said:

rico23 said:

Well I tried it again today and the battery was flat again after two days.

The dash is saying power supply fault and heater flap fault.

Jumped it again and it started and is running fine. Any ideas?

Those are reasonably standard 'flat battery' errors - best guess is still stuck relay or faulty alternator.

My alternator was still charging the battery and gave it more than enough juice to run the car but was allowing some current to backfeed - current draw with the ignition off was > 1A - therefore flat battery within a couple of days...

I had trouble getting my head 'round it at first but post service (and alternator replacement) it's not missed a beat.

Thanks again darkmark, I'll get it booked in to get fixed as I think it is the alternator or relay, it can't be the battery as it's new and when it is running it's showing 13.3v.