Battery on new Bongo appears duff - what is correct AmpHour?

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 12:54 pm

Just a quickie if anyone is looking in. The battery in my Bongo seems to go flat if left for a day or two. It is supposedly 2yrs old, make is Heller but it looks cheap, and rating is 70AmpHr (which seems low for a beast like a Bongo). I need to have a travelling Bongo for urgent journey this weekend. Anyone able to tell me what sensible replacement battery & rating would be (I can investigate possible current leaks later in case it is that I suppose).

Interestingly, I bought one of those emergency battery packs (you know, with light, tyre inflater etc.) based on a m/cycle battery, but it couldnt even turn the poor Bongo over.

Thanks Guys

Mike

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:10 pm

Without searching the archives or referring to the manual, I would guess around 90 AH. The bigger the better for a big diesel lump like the Bongo but i would have thought your 70AH should do it if in good nick and fully charged.

Vanmanerik · Post by **Vanmanerik** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:16 pm

I put a new 75 amp hr battery on 2 weeks ago and it starts within a mili-second of turning the key.

The dimensions of the battery were not the same as the old duff battery so a couple of modifications to the battery clamp was required to hold it securely.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:18 pm

Thanks Veg_ian. My slight concern is why the 70Ah appears to be faulty immediately after I bought the vehicle. The battey is only 2yrs and 5k miles old. I phoned the previous owner who said it had been OK but maybe had a tendency to go flat 'if left for a week'. He wondered if there was a current leakage somewhere. But how do you track a thing like that down!! But dont want to buy a new battery without good cause. National Tyre quoted me £96-40 today for a Ford Ranger one - ouch!

Bongo Towers 105Mah @ £75 + £20 delivery sounds great but Manchester may be more than 1hrs drive from Sheffield (delivery limit). Might ask Ian at BT anyway.

Mike

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:27 pm

A mate of mine recently had a battery that went bad within the warranty period so age doesn't mean it can't be faulty. You should be able to get a 75+ AH battery locally at a good price. Check your local Motor factors in the area or see if any quick fit (notice I didn't use nor intend the brand name) tyre places are doing any cheap deals at the mo.

grumpo · Post by **grumpo** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 4:04 pm

As you say the vehicle has only done 5K miles in 2 years, it could possibly
have been left in a discharged state for a long period, a sure way to destroy
an otherwise decent battery.

You could test for current drain with a DC clamp meter, but these are
expensive instruments, otherwise you could remove one battery terminal
and series connect a digital current meter, most cheap meters have a 10
amp current range, anything greater than 10 amps current flow will probably
blow the meter up if it doesn't have fused leads. Normally you would expect
to see a small current drain of 20 - 50 milliamps for stuff which needs to
remain on standby and maybe more for cars with loads of electronic gadgets.

If it were me, I would buy the largest and best quality battery that exactly
fits the tray, I don't like being a long way from home with a flat battery.

I would NOT buy a sealed or low maintenance battery, maybe that's
because I am also old fashioned !!.

waycar8 · Post by **waycar8** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 6:23 pm

or you may even have a duff alternator? may be worth getting it tested

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 6:42 pm

Strange - I thought I posted a reply a while back. I've bought a 95 AmpHr battery from batman.co.uk @ £69+VAT and its arriving tomorrow. When I drove it back last week, the Bongo did 400 miles, all with the lights on, aircon etc and no warning light showing so I imagine it should be safe to set off in this w/e for a similar mileage as the alternator is presumably doing something if not all it should. Anyone know how I can quickly and cheaply get it checked locally - can't be too tricky or expensive to check it I presume?

If it is duff, anyone know the cost implication?

Life with Bongos is not boring!

Mike

moonshine · Post by **moonshine** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 11:48 pm

Hi Mike,

If you have a volt meter, or know a friend who does, just put it across the battery terminals with the engine running and get someone to blip the throttle. The battery voltage should rise with the engine revs. If it doesn't rise at all, your alternator isn't charging. I suspect it is though, as on a long journey like your drive home, you would have noticed things like the lights getting dimmer etc.

Incidentally, Grumpo's comments are spot on all the way through, and confirm what I said about vehicles that have been left standing around for long periods. Things deteriorate much quicker than if they have been used regularly.

Regards,
Colin

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 11:59 pm

Another quick but not very scientific way to test the alternator is charging is to turn the engine off with the interior light on - it should dim slightly.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 12:36 am

Great advice as ever - I'll try it out. I suspect the alternator is fine, the battery has just been abused. I'm hopeful the 95AmpHr thumper that arrives tomorrow will sort it. The old battery was very perky this evening after a day on charge so I drove my daughter to Explorers in the old girl (Mango). I've been invited to help cart them about on trips, with my fuel paid. Oh gosh, that will be a chore (not! any excuse to drive Mango). Gosh but they are beautiful to drive aren't they. My wife (the biggest opponent to Mango) is coming with me at the weekend on a 450 mile trip where she will be forced to pick up Bongo mats, Bongo tyres, meet Bongo owners hither and thither. But she will love the luxury of being driven in it I'm sure. Keep you posted.

Mike

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 1:36 am

Interior light test seemed fine Dandy. Fitted new battery today - loads of umph - noticed old battery terminals not screwed on too tight which would not have helped but didnt explain it. I can keep it for charging model aeroplane batteries if its any good and feel much better with brand new 95 AmpHr battery in place. Also put new air filter on the other night and I think it has made the engine perkier. Also unblocked drain tube (the one that causes water to back up and wreck the heater fan). The other night I fitted new interior door pulls and gear selector window. Its all coming together!!

Mike

johnzbenson · Post by **johnzbenson** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 4:03 am

At the risk of repeating what is already known on this subject- voltage across red and black battery terminals with engine off should read 12.25 volts if battery reasonably charged. with engine running measuring across same terminals voltage should read 14 volts to 15 volts, representing a healthy charge being delivered from the alternator. as a general guide car batteries have come on a lot over the years and so long as they don't get too much abuse ie not continually let to go flat etc, should last you five years and most now come with a 3 year no quibble guarantee. The first cold snap in the weather often shows up a battery on its way out again after 5 years typically and topping up with acid will only delay the innevitable so don't bother is my advice. the AH rating for your battery does seem a little light (unless you drive a 2 litre) as i believe the standard battery for the 2.5 diesel engine is a 95AH battery however if your battery is in a good state of charge the difference between the 70 Ah and 95 AH should only be you will get about half a minute less of turning over your engine before the battery goes flat. the critical thing is the maximum peak current your battery can deliver. Without looking at the manual the 95Ah battery fittted to my diesel bongo is listed as 300 AMps (not for long though!) I'm guessing the 70 AH battery should be somewhere near and I would also guess anything over 200amps would be acceptable doing a rough calc of W/attage divided by voltage = current. one thing to remember: Starting a healthy bongo typically takes 15 minutes of driving without any extra load on the vehicle to replenish the charge taken from the battery. so on these dark nights/mornings give your bongo a hand after switching on, take five minutes at tickover without the heater/aircon/blower/lights heated screen on etc in the morning. and if you are only doing ten minute trips etc. no matter what your battery is, you will flatten it and need to recharge occassionaly or take it on a long run. I started my career as an electrician by the way and still wear the anorak!!

Happy Bongoing

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 5:08 pm

Fantastically good advice johnzbenson - worth a factsheet on its own! I will heed what you say. Funnily enough, I'm going to try and get in the habit of starting her up a few mins before going off to work anyway as the old lump of an engine (apologies to my beloved Mango) might like a warm-up before moving off and may repay the small investment in fuel by letting the autobox go into top gear sooner when driving, thus improving fuel consumption. What I'm really tempted to get is one of those remote starter devices so I can look out the bedroom window in me underpants, point and shoot (with the key fob obviously!) and start her up remotely. Ah, dream on!

Mike

Vanmanerik · Post by **Vanmanerik** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 5:36 pm

The best way to warm a van up to operating temperature is by driving it.

Battery on new Bongo appears duff - what is correct AmpHour?

Battery on new Bongo appears duff - what is correct AmpHour?

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