Battery drain

bongobaz · Post by **bongobaz** » Tue Mar 29, 2016 7:08 pm

After weekend away drove back to rainy Dudley, 2 hours driving, low voltage alarm starts beeping on coolant alarm.
reading 10 volts.
Lights
wipers
blower
sat nav
phone charger
all on.
Peeing with rain.
Had to pull over at shop Bongo wouldn't restart.
Jumped it from leisure battery drove about with everything tuned off
charging at 13v

Any thoughts?

Post by **Bob** » Tue Mar 29, 2016 7:19 pm

I guess you're measuring voltage across the battery terminals while running the engine.

13 Volts sounds a little low, 14 - 14.5 would be more like it, but one of our electrical chaps will likely be along soon.

Can you charge the battery overnight and see if that makes a difference, Baz?

Edit: 10 Volts at the battery is very bad.

bongobaz · Post by **bongobaz** » Tue Mar 29, 2016 7:54 pm

It was 10v on the alarm voltage reader, thinking alternator
MOT Booked for the morning will take battery out and charge.
Deep joy! and only had 45 nights away in it this year.

Post by **Bob** » Tue Mar 29, 2016 7:59 pm

Hopefuly she'll start and the garage can test the alternator.

Let's pray for an easy/cheap fix.

Post by **g8dhe** » Tue Mar 29, 2016 8:10 pm

Check both battery terminals and clean, also check the earth lead. If nothing obvious then it might be the alternator even if no charge light appearing.

bongobaz · Post by **bongobaz** » Tue Mar 29, 2016 8:39 pm

Just been out to have a mooch test across Bat 12.62v
Fired up 13.4 v
revs 13.8v
It was a very wet journey.

Post by **Bob** » Tue Mar 29, 2016 9:09 pm

That certainly sounds better, let's hope it was just water getting where it shouldn't.

Northern Bongolow · Post by **Northern Bongolow** » Wed Mar 30, 2016 2:48 am

13-8 after a start is still possibly low baz.

Post by **g8dhe** » Wed Mar 30, 2016 10:43 am

Yup would agree with Ady, should be over 14 volts nearer 14.4volts under rev's. Float charging the battery the voltage should be around 13.6volts and this (float charging) is basically minimal charging too keep the battery maintained.

bongobaz · Post by **bongobaz** » Wed Mar 30, 2016 5:32 pm

Float charging?

Diplomat · Post by **Diplomat** » Wed Mar 30, 2016 6:35 pm

bongobaz wrote:Float charging?

Almost a forgotten art, now that so few people have milk delivered.

Frank

windywatson · Post by **windywatson** » Wed Mar 30, 2016 7:28 pm

I have a volt meter permantly across the battery monitoring its condition. When the engine is running I have a constant 14.2v being delivered by the alternator.
I would suggest that your alternator is at fault. Hopefully your garage will test this for you and highlight it if its on its way out.

Cheers

Post by **g8dhe** » Wed Mar 30, 2016 10:11 pm

Sorry Baz! Float charging is where the charger is permanently connected and charging the battery all the time in which case the charger is set for 13.6 volts if it was higher then it would heat the battery and slowly cause the electrolyte to decrease over time, any less and the battery wouldn't be fully charged - its normally used for backup situations like emergency lights, that way the battery is always topped up, however it takes a looong time to fully charge if the battery is used significantly.

Post by **Bongoplod** » Wed Mar 30, 2016 10:28 pm

bongobaz wrote:It was 10v on the alarm voltage reader, thinking alternator
MOT Booked for the morning will take battery out and charge.
Deep joy! and only had 45 nights away in it this year.

THIS year ?...........D`you mean 45 nights already since 1st Jan !!

Brian

bongobaz · Post by **bongobaz** » Wed Mar 30, 2016 10:32 pm

So you think my alternator is NFG?
How do i check it?

Battery drain

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