QPV Battery question

[Gazcw]

Right - mine has that setting. Any logic in my theory that AGM batts. have more ooomph due to having to stop start a fairly hefty V8 lump? Even tho mines a QP5 and not stop/start?

Not sure they do. I read somewhere they need a different charging voltage too and on battery chargers they need agm setting as normally there is a de-sulphur phase or similar, that an agm does not need or like.

 

[Gazcw]

There are a few SM threads on this... my previous battery was a Bosch AGM, and whilst others have operated theirs without incident, my QPV did not like it... swapped out for a Varta, and no issues since.


I've had a Yuasa in my E39 for a few years now, seems to get along very happily in there. Think I'll stick to Varta in the QPV based on knowing 'it works'.

Mine has had a varta since I bought the car. Not sure how old it is but it gets trickled every 2 weeks and holds charge well still. I have an emergency Audew battery pack just in case.

 

[QP_V]

My Yuasa battery went flat yesterday - I had neglected the QPV for a week!

what is the consensus - replace with Yuasa or go to Varta? I assume Bosch etc is not worth considering.

cheers!

 

[midlifecrisis]

My Yuasa battery went flat yesterday - I had neglected the QPV for a week!

what is the consensus - replace with Yuasa or go to Varta? I assume Bosch etc is not worth considering.

cheers!

Just charge it up, think of the environment.

 

[Gazcw]

My Yuasa battery went flat yesterday - I had neglected the QPV for a week!

what is the consensus - replace with Yuasa or go to Varta? I assume Bosch etc is not worth considering.

cheers!

Varta, Exide or Bosch are most reliable. Charge it and see what happens first though.
Think of the environment. Go burn some dinosaur juice after you have charged and leave lots of rubber on the ground to pollute the nature. .

 

[Zep]

I’d spend some time working out if it is a battery problem or a drain. It isn’t necessarily a battery issue.

 

[QP_V]

Just charge it up, think of the environment.

that would be an option if it drew more amps on the test. It’s only drawing 12-13amps versus 20.

 

[QP_V]

I’d spend some time working out if it is a battery problem or a drain. It isn’t necessarily a battery issue.

What’s the process to identify this?

 

[Zep]

What’s the process to identify this?

If you have (or can get) a multi meter, you can use it to check the current drawn when the ignition is off. Basically disconnect the -ve and connect between the battery and the cable.

have a look at: https://www.wikihow.com/Find-a-Parasitic-Battery-Drain

 

[QP_V]

Thanks, interesting to read. Tomorrow if the car starts I will take it for a spin and see if the issue persists. If so will replace the battery (4 years old) and then monitor for draws.

 

[mowlas]

On the matter of brands, I came back to my QP V after 12 days holiday, no trickle charge, and it started first time no problem. This is a 3 year old Bosch battery that has been run flat 3/4 times. Would definitely buy Bosch again.

 

[QP_V]

Thanks, The battery is flat again this morning. Looks like will be a lovely walk to the station!

 

[philw696]

On the matter of brands, I came back to my QP V after 12 days holiday, no trickle charge, and it started first time no problem. This is a 3 year old Bosch battery that has been run flat 3/4 times. Would definitely buy Bosch again.

Got Bosch on all the 4 cars we use here in France.
In 4 years living here only bought one battery and that was to replace the original stop start one for the Fiat 500 one last Winter.

 

[QP_V]

Anyone got experience of using a cTEK 5.0 on the QPV? I am charging my battery with one as we speak and thinking to purchase a cigarette powered version in the future.

 

[QP_V]

As an update the Yuasa kept going flat even after being on a thicket charger overnight and following a long drive. I changed the battery for a Bosch S5 and all sorted. I can leave the car for 2/3 days and no problem starting the engine.

 

[gb-gta]

I’d still get the alternator checked to be sure.
A while back I got a new battery as I kept getting battery not holding a charge issues. Went away for a bit with new battery, until the alternator fault killed the new battery too in less than 12 months. But of course it could just be the battery.

 

[QP_V]

I did a DIY alternator test today.

Battery voltage testing with the engine off (car had not been used for 12+ hours) 12.35V
Battery after turning on the engine for 2 minutes 14.35V

This suggests the alternator is charging the battery. I am going to slowly extend the period of not using the car and see how fast the battery drops ahead of a weeks holiday in November. I plan to stick it on the trickle charger for this week.

I also checked all of the fuses under the hood, behind the glove box and in the boot.

 

[Zep]

I did a DIY alternator test today.

Battery voltage testing with the engine off (car had not been used for 12+ hours) 12.35V
Battery after turning on the engine for 2 minutes 14.35V

This suggests the alternator is charging the battery. I am going to slowly extend the period of not using the car and see how fast the battery drops ahead of a weeks holiday in November. I plan to stick it on the trickle charger for this week.

I also checked all of the fuses under the hood, behind the glove box and in the boot.

When my alternator failed, it only stopped charging when hot, so worth doing another check after a run.

 

[QP_V]

When my alternator failed, it only stopped charging when hot, so worth doing another check after a run.

interesting, thanks. So after a long run, the idea to to see if the voltage drops below 14V?

 

[Zep]

interesting, thanks. So after a long run, the idea to to see if the voltage drops below 14V?

Yes, that’s exactly it. I used my launch and logged the voltage, but using a meter would be just as good.