Battery Questions????

KOUPE76 · 17-04-2006, 03:48 PM

Hi guys,
The ute now gets driven weekends and when I went to start today it was flat as a tack, had 12v in it but not enough to turn the motor over.

:
My question is, is it ok to disconnect the positive terminal from battery (probably fitting a kill switch) and will it cause any damage to the electricals from turning on and off all the time?
If so, what other alternatives do I have?

Any feedback/solution will be appreciated.

Cheers
Mick.

**Mechan1k** · 17-04-2006, 03:53 PM

I think even if the battery sits there on a flat hard surface ... it will still go flat ...even if disconnected.

I was told to reduce charge loss is to sit the battery on one of those fold up material stools ... acts like a hammock ... dunno if it is true though.

If i leave the ute for more than 2 days of no running it's hard to start .... probably cos it is so used to being started many times a day ... if it sits for more than a day not being used ... it drives like crap the day after.

**Bundy** · 17-04-2006, 04:02 PM

not starting the ute & only on weekends shouldn't make any difference
(never did for me).
I would more likely think that the battery was on its way out anyway.

**Whoosha** · 17-04-2006, 04:05 PM

just a idea matey you could park it at the cranny tyer test + reasearch centre

not much chance of a flatt battery then.... :monkes:

XR6-VCT-2000 · 17-04-2006, 04:27 PM

It's a 'catch 22' situation that is .... It did sound like your battery was on it's way out if it died that quick.. but in order to maintain the life of the battery it is recomended to disconnect the battery and store it off ground level ( especially cold concrete !) .. like keep it on a shelf i nthe garage etc etc .. but then you have the problem of the ecu reseting itself everytime the battery has been disconnected for such long lengths of time .. I cant really see it doing any damage to the electrics in the car , but i can't see it doing yourself any good in the way of the the ecu having to relearn itself fully ... so ur probably gonna be looking at bad fuel economy and maybe a bit rough running .... thats my 2 cents anyway .. maybe someone else can shed some more light on this matter ... interesting ..

fairmont1998 · 17-04-2006, 04:49 PM

I'd say replace the battery and if you still have problems with it going flat when the car has been sitting invest in one of the trickle chargers that are available. They maintain the charge in the battery without having to disconnect it from the car.

KOUPE76 · 17-04-2006, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fairmont1998

I'd say replace the battery and if you still have problems with it going flat when the car has been sitting invest in one of the trickle chargers that are available. They maintain the charge in the battery without having to disconnect it from the car.

Are they the solar ones that plug into your cigarette lighter?

MNM96 · 17-04-2006, 05:11 PM

Either Battery is on its way out or you have a drain( meaning something is still using some power. Look for what that may be, or get an Auto Sparky to check it out. You should be able to leave it for several months and return to start it, if all it as it should be!!??

SIKSIX · 17-04-2006, 05:30 PM

What i would recommend is to go to a battery place and ask about a dry cell battery, i think they are ment to be good for that. but im not 100% sure they are better if you ask someone at a battery place they would maybe be able to point you in the right direction.

fairmont1998 · 17-04-2006, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLUPRNT XR8

Are they the solar ones that plug into your cigarette lighter?

You can get mains powered ones, I'd put more faith in those.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNM69

You should be able to leave it for several months and return to start it, if all it as it should be!!??

All modern cars have a degree of drain when they are switched off. For the immobiliser, keyless entry, KAM, clock etc. I wouldn't trust my car to start after a rest of several months.

Also, if you do replace your battery, I have just replaced mine with a SuperCharge Gold battery. Can't say enough good things about them. Excellent batteries and warrented for 3 years. www.supercharge.com.au

SIKSIX · 17-04-2006, 05:51 PM

my car started after two and a half months of not touching it, this happened twice because i had no license and was peeed off and could be bothered, but twice it just barely kicked over and since november when i got it back the battery is still fine even with running a stereo.

Question. Have you got a capacitor hooked up to the stereo and how is it hooked up, to always run or on with the ign.

KOUPE76 · 17-04-2006, 06:16 PM

Yeah capacitor is wired to be one with ignition.

Mick

Tickford Kid · 17-04-2006, 06:45 PM

Check for current draw with nothing turned on. Check that your glove box light is turning off when your glove box is closed.
Put a voltmeter across your battery terminals whilst some one cranks the engine if the volts drop from above 12volts to less then 10 volts say your battery is cactus.

if you don't have a voltmeter turn your headlights on and try start the engine if the lights go out your battery is stuffed.

SIKSIX · 17-04-2006, 06:52 PM

look at your battery does it look old. cause as some people are pointing too, that it is cactus, then get a new battery and if you do and it goes flat agian it will be under warranty and get a new one again and before you put it on get it checked out.

svo347 · 17-04-2006, 07:02 PM

I work fly in/out .
I was doing a 2 on 1 week off routine then it changed to 4 weeks on 1 off.
My car hadnt been touched in this period and still starts first time everytime when i get back to Perth.
I have an Optima Dry cell and have had it for nearly 4 years easy..

FUQNDV8 · 18-04-2006, 03:22 PM

First thing anyone should do is unscrew your 6 little caps on the top and see if the water is up over the plates. If you look in and you can see the plates and not just water its a good chance ya killed your battery. sometimes if you catch it in time you will save it but most of the time your to late. check battery every 2 - 3 months for water and top it up with only distilled or de mineralised water. If your running big amps run 2 batteries and get a larger alternator.

autickfordfairmont · 18-04-2006, 04:11 PM

yeah those trickle chargers are great. My dad uses them for both the bike and the Caravan. Spend the dollars on a new "Good" battery & a Good charger and you will be right. Get one of the ones that trickle chagers, monitors & maintains optimum battery charge & you will be right. They make a huge difference, even on the bike, leave it for 2 days and it takes a bit to start, yet when on charge, fires instantly.