Battery problems?

[scottyh40]

We have recently purchased a 2001 2ltr petrol converted Mazda Bongo,i am currently in the process of learning to drive and my partner has been unwell so Bella the bongo hasnt really had anymore than a handful of miles use,right cut to the chase we were told that she had 2 brand new batteries however the main battery was practically flat when she arrived and so we boughgt a charger and put the battery back in fully charged and my missus NEVER drove her but did go out to her and open aft roof and use lights etc etc and low and behold after about 4 days the battery is completely flat again,now i am no mechanic but i really believe its the battery that needs changing whereas she is really concerned that it could be the alternator which is a big expense but surely without being driven there must be no way of knowing if it is the alternator as she has been stationary for a couple weeks,can someone possibly shed some light on this for us.
Regards
scott

[TheStinkyHippy]

Do you have a volt meter?

Check the voltage on the starter battery.
Check it when it has been sitting on the drive for a while (not running for a while). Should be around 12.5V

Start her up. Check the voltage with her running. If it is still around 12V then the alternator is not charging.
If it is around 13V-16V then the alternator is charging.

[scottyh40]

I am very technophobic when it comes to cars and vans so have limited knowledge regarding checking battery voltage etc etc,i have been advised that maybe we need to get an auto electrical person to check her out,i dont suppose anybody knows of any in the Bristol area??

Regards
scott

[Bob]

ADS in South Liberty Lane are Bongo experts, although not specialist auto electricians.

They will have parts, though, if needed.

I'm in Nailsea and have a volt meter, may be the weekend before I can get to you due to work. Happy to help if I can.

Also if you have a Google around you can buy a plug in volt meter for about £2 and carry out the checks suggested without even opening the bonnet.

Bear in mind that even a new battery can be stuffed if it becomes completely discharged.

[scottyh40]

Thankyou very much Bob i will keep that in mind as im on my 4 days off from workj on fri sat sun mon so we may take you up on that offer,i will inbox you my number mate if we get really stuck i will let you know.
Your a Scholar.
Scott

[Mark.T]

It could be a small constant drain ..

Look around behind the conversion cupboards. Fitters sometimes don't remove not-needed parts interior lights which may have been inadvertently switched on.

I found an interior light behind ours - off though. I might remove the bulb .. just in case!

[Bob]

Here we go:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cigarette-Light ... volt+meter

Bit more time now I'm home.

[Northern Bongolow]

right cut to the chase we were told that she had 2 brand new batteries however the main battery was practically flat when she arrived and so we boughgt a charger and put the battery back in fully charged and my missus NEVER drove her but did go out to her and open aft roof and use lights etc etc and low and behold after about 4 days the battery is completely flat again,

did you have the engine running while the roof was lifted/lowered.

[Simon Jones]

Some cheap Lidl/Aldi stereos are reknowned for high current drain when switched off so that is one option to investigate.

[cmm303]

Here we go:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cigarette-Light ... volt+meter

Bit more time now I'm home.

Brilliant device but with two batteries, 12v sockets might be powered by LB in which case this device wouldn't be measuring SB condition.

[Bob]

Good point.

[Bob]

This Youtube isn't bad.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=n5FJDgcdii8

And this one goes deeper:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FTGz0PKIl84

This will show the state of your battery.

http://www.mmbalmainauto.com.au/PDF/Sta ... teries.pdf