Battery puzzle

[TPTP]

Monday night the Bongo was running well. Tuesday night the starter battery was completely dead, althougth the leisure battery was fully charged (and no, we hadn't left the lights on or anything). The homestart man reckoned the starter battery was knackered and we needed a new one.

Took it out for a half hour thrash to put some charge back in the battery, and readied my jump leads for the morrow (the nice homestart man had to show us how to use them).

Two days later, with no use, and the van starts fine. Armed with my swanky new multimeter and a little bit of internet knowledge I discovered that the battery is giving 12.5v with the igniton off, 13.5 at idle and 14.5 at 2500 rpm. As far as I know (which isn't far) this means the battery is fine and charging properly.

Aside from leaving your lights on, is there anything which would drain an other wise good battery over 24hours?

The only thing I can think of is that the negative terminal was loose enpugh to lift off with your fingers, so perhaps it wasn't making a good enough contact to charge properly untill the mechanic tightened it up.

[mikexgough]

Aside from leaving your lights on, is there anything which would drain an other wise good battery over 24hours?

The only thing I can think of is that the negative terminal was loose enpugh to lift off with your fingers, so perhaps it wasn't making a good enough contact to charge properly untill the mechanic tightened it up.

Could be Radio drain, possibly interior light...... or even the poor contact you mention not allowing the battery to charge.... Keep an eye on it.... and if your unsure get a new Starter Battery....might be a wise investment prior to winter cold starts anyway.......

[The Great Pretender]

Aside from leaving your lights on, is there anything which would drain an other wise good battery over 24hours?

Inverter left on ?

[daveblueozzie]

Deffo start with the radio, that is what drained mine.
also check that the battery is holding a charge,check it with the meter in the morning before you start the engine.
it may need topping up with distilled water if its not a maintenance free battery.

[scanner]

I reckon it was the loose connection which meant the battery wasn't getting charged properly - I've had the same thing happen myself and just making sure it was tight solved the problem.

[patchy]

I've just had a similar situation with my bongo. however the RAC homestart man tells me i need a new leisure battery and a new starter battery. Nice, i think i will see if it was caused by me leaving my little side lights on first. It my batteries are dead? does anyone know of a cheap mazda parts dealer in the southeast. and were is the best place to get a decent leisure battery?

[mikexgough]

I've just had a similar situation with my bongo. however the RAC homestart man tells me i need a new leisure battery and a new starter battery. Nice, i think i will see if it was caused by me leaving my little side lights on first. It my batteries are dead? does anyone know of a cheap mazda parts dealer in the southeast. and were is the best place to get a decent leisure battery?

For batteries........ Try a local Trade Counter.... NOT Halfrauds.... f

or Leisure Battery you might find a trade counter cheaper than a caravan centre..... it has been known.........

Starter Battery..........068 or 249..... Leisure battery....... your call on make or amp hour...... the Banner Energy Bull got a good write up in this months MMM and the Varta was given a bit of a thumbs down...