Car dead thread (away from covid thread lol)

[conaero]

The Bosch one that failed after two weeks in my M3 was an AGM

Brilliant, that's that idea knackered then!

Next brilliant idea of the day is to install a second battery, as Bentleys do. Bolt to the top of the bootlid?

 

[CatmanV2]

Brilliant, that's that idea knackered then!

Next brilliant idea of the day is to install a second battery, as Bentleys do. Bolt to the top of the bootlid?

They stlll have issues though, according to the 6Speed forum. It seems to me that most of the cars are having issues simply because the quiescent drain is never being reached. In one of the manuals it's listed in the order of small numbers of milliamps. To me it seems plausible that as some analogue components start to change value over time / duty cycle that items may not be shutting down properly, or at all.

But I've not got anything to test

C

 

[Oneball]

Brilliant, that's that idea knackered then!

Next brilliant idea of the day is to install a second battery, as Bentleys do. Bolt to the top of the bootlid?

Could have been a one off. After a bit of a battle they agreed it was faulty.

My Merc has a second battery, it came up with the warning that it had used it to start earlier in the week. I’ve hardly used it the last month.

 

[Zep]

AGM are better able to cope with deep cycles (they should be able to go to 80% discharged compared to 50% discharged for a VRLA), but whether this will hugely increase the life time is hard to say. My old BMW had a AGM, they still deteriorate as it’s performance dropped off over the time I had it.

If we can work out why they are failing. They could be drying out, corroding internally giving high impedance, that way way we could work out the best way to stop them dropping off.

 

[Mancserati]

The original battery in a Lexus IS250 is made by Panasonic. It’s a 2006 model and just started to deteriorate after 14 years.

 

[Wagons-Lits]

Brilliant, that's that idea knackered then!

Next brilliant idea of the day is to install a second battery, as Bentleys do. Bolt to the top of the bootlid?

hold on now, Matt! I've had the exact opposite experience, an AGM that has been absolutely brilliant from day 1 for the last 2 years. can last 3 weeks standing, come back and fires up instantly. I'm a convert to AGM for how I use my cars, in other words not a lot. From what I've been told by one of this forum's esteemed specialists, the fact that they are made to stop start stop start means they cope better with the burdens imposed by infrequent use

As you say however these cars would benefit from two batteries - my 2001 E38 had two batteries for crying out loud - and our cars' electrical systems are pretty much on the cliff edge of 12v technology. Hence the move to 48v

by the way, I believe AGM and gel batteries are actually different? Please correct me if I'm wrong!

 

[Duncanofengland]

It's not uncommon for batteries to go flat overnight in certain weather conditions. Usually on a cold damp night following a warm day. I think that a very fine mist forms on the battery and it conducts just enough to drain the battery after several hours.

 

[Scaf]

Maserati battery story. Many years ago when I was single, and had my Biturbo, I had a 2nd battery wired to the lights. A switch to run them on the spare batt. without running down the primary. When I would go to a bar, I would turn the lights on with the 2nd batt. Once inside, I would pick out the prettiest girl, and sit down next to her, and wait. Not too long before someone would come in and announce "there's a red Maserati in the parking lot with the lights on ". Mumbling about Italian electrics I would ask the girl to save my seat. I would wave my keys as I went out.I was such a dog.

Now there’s an idea - I should have a word with Matt to get a little mod carried out next time he has my car

 

[Hawk13]

A few years ago, Halfords made the mistake of selling a Yuasa Black battery that they applied a lifetime guarantee to - so I bought 2 for my classic cars. They weren't offensively expensive (£140) and based on me viewing a battery as a consumable on a classic (even if left on a condiitoner) this is a great investment.

They only sold for a month or so and my guess is that the beancounters told them this was a very stupid idea!

 

[Doctor Houx]

All my toys are on 3.8v CTEK's all the time and no problems; all start first time every time. That even goes for the Vanquish that is a 1-off unique protype that only does concours shows and about 300 miles/year (none this year I'm guessing). Battery on it is 2012. CTEK charges up then cleverly just pulses charge if/ when needed so never overcharges or damages battery. At c £60 each, they are brilliant!

 

[zagatoes30]

Maybe there should be a modification to use one of these?

 

[lifes2short]

one of these would be better

 

[Ryandoc]

get a cTek harness connector permanently connected to the battery. The obstacle to using charge maintainer is actually connecting it. Put mine on charge after 7 days without use. As mentioned above ^^ usually one year guarantee minimum, no need for receipt just your bank statement / screenshot will often do.
btw keep the old battery - good for junkyard gym = kettlebell

Is this the connector you mean?

CTEK Comfort Connect

The CTEK Comfort Connect is a spare flylead that is a very useful accessory if you want to use your CTEK charger on multiple vehicles or batteries, especially when batteries may be in difficult to reach areas. The Comfort Connect flyleads are quick and easy to fit, splash proof and dust...

www.demon-tweeks.com

So just put the lugs over the battery terminals before connecting the cable connectors and then either have it poking through the boot floor panels or just sat in battery compartment and lift panels for easy access?

 

[D Walker]

Is this the connector you mean?

CTEK Comfort Connect

The CTEK Comfort Connect is a spare flylead that is a very useful accessory if you want to use your CTEK charger on multiple vehicles or batteries, especially when batteries may be in difficult to reach areas. The Comfort Connect flyleads are quick and easy to fit, splash proof and dust...

www.demon-tweeks.com

So just put the lugs over the battery terminals before connecting the cable connectors and then either have it poking through the boot floor panels or just sat in battery compartment and lift panels for easy access?

That’s what I had fitted to mine...I used to just run it under boot lid when connected..

 

[Ryandoc]

So did you connect it but then just leave it loose in battery compartment when not in use Dave?

 

[spkennyuk]

Brilliant, that's that idea knackered then!

Next brilliant idea of the day is to install a second battery, as Bentleys do. Bolt to the top of the bootlid?

Ive been carting round a spare old battery in the boot of the alfa as it was getting slow starting and had refused to start twice. So used it as a jump pack

Yesterdays job was to fit the new battery once it arrived.

£92 for a bosch S5. It was a 3 year old yueassa that was failing.

 

[Ryandoc]

Definitely a lot of mixed feedback on the various options.

Common theme seems to be that batteries ain’t what they use to be!

 

[D Walker]

So did you connect it but then just leave it loose in battery compartment when not in use Dave?

Yep. Just tucked it down side

 

[spkennyuk]

Definitely a lot of mixed feedback on the various options.

Common theme seems to be that batteries ain’t what they use to be!

Ive had to change quite a few batteries over the last 20 years on various cars ive had. The only thing ive noticed is you generally get a few months worth over what the battery is guaranteed for.

The two exceptions to that were a factory fitted battery on a mondeo going back about 16 years that exploded when i started the car. They dont have go with a bang when they explode. I almost had to change my pants. Opened the bonnet and was greeted with 1/3 of the battery case scattered across the engine bay and the stench of rotton eggs.

The 2nd one was the yueassa that was on the car when i got it and just made it to 3 years of the warranty length but needer nursing a little.

 

[rs48635]

Yep. Just tucked it down side

mine is sticking out of the flap. Also got the comfort connecter with has three different coloured LED to indicate charge; red, orange and green.