battery fail

[vincent]

If I leave my bongo standing for 2 weeks plus then the battery goes dead. This has happened since I bought it three years ago. I've gone through three batteries (!). Spoke to nice dealer who sold it to me and he said, hmmm don't know unless you've left something on. As far as I know I haven't. The bongo is fitted with a camera and has electric blinds, windows, rear view mirrors and closing side door. My son says it may have something to do with the wiring of the stereo ?? Am keen to sort this out before the winter as my long suffering neighbour who turns out to jump start has had enough really. Have read and re read the bongo handbook but could there be a simple reason for this, i.e. I have left something on that I don't recognise? I am not very technically minded but certainly interested to learn. Any input appreciated, thanks. Marj

[Velocette]

If I leave my bongo standing for 2 weeks plus then the battery goes dead. This has happened since I bought it three years ago. I've gone through three batteries (!). Spoke to nice dealer who sold it to me and he said, hmmm don't know unless you've left something on. As far as I know I haven't. The bongo is fitted with a camera and has electric blinds, windows, rear view mirrors and closing side door. My son says it may have something to do with the wiring of the stereo ?? Am keen to sort this out before the winter as my long suffering neighbour who turns out to jump start has had enough really. Have read and re read the bongo handbook but could there be a simple reason for this, i.e. I have left something on that I don't recognise? I am not very technically minded but certainly interested to learn. Any input appreciated, thanks. Marj

How often do you leave it that long and does it get a really good run in between? It might only be say 85% charged when you park it and it will naturally self discharge over a period (variable according to type and quality/condition of the battery. If the battery is never catching up to full charge it will be sulphating at anything less than about 80% IIRR which makes matters worse and shortens the life of the battery. Can you use a battery conditioner, even a solar one might help cancel out the self discharge? There could, of course, be something leeching current, It is worth checking.

[g8dhe]

Get yourself a reasonable multi-meter and measure the drain on the battery when everything is turned off. Normally the current being drawn is less than about 50mA, anything higher than this needs to be understood. If you have a suitable meter but not sure how to use it then give a shout and I'll detail the steps to take.

[Simon Jones]

If you don't have a multimeter, get one of these (the mini blade type) and put in in place of each fuse in the fuse box. Usual suspects for flat batteries are the stereo (especially the Aldi / Lidl ones), alarm or side door closer.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/automotive-curr ... ter-217879

Do you have a leisure battery and split charge system? This is another possible cause of a problem.

[vincent]

When I first had the Bongo it had a Mazda battery. I was using it twice a week to go to work, a round trip of 60 miles odd. Plus occasional 150 mile trips. Didn't use it every day. Got a new battery from the dealer who sold the Bongo to me so I believe it was a good one. Kept this pattern of use for several months, battery still dead if I left the Bongo standing for a couple of weeks though. When I stopped going to work I used the Bongo less often but generally made longer trips when I did use it. Problem persisted if left etc. Got the latest battery last spring and it was fine until I didn't use Bongo for the usual period when it went dead, although it started straight away on the jumps unlike when I had the previous battery, in this case my last trip had been 300 miles. The battery I now have is on a three year guarantee. Thanks for the suggestions, is a multi-meter expensive?

[g8dhe]

They vary! See here for a range of them. http://www.maplin.co.uk/home-and-diy/te ... ultimeters
For Car work then something with a 20Amp DC or higher current range is best, if you can afford it then a Clamp meter with DC Amps is very convenient for the higher currents but not always best for the lower current ranges.

[vincent]

I don't have a leisure battery or the split thing (you can tell I'm a woman, at least I didn't say thingy) but it does occur to me that I do always use the side door closer when the engine isn't running (to let my dog out), the stereo has a cd,MP3 player and digital radio and was already in the Bongo when I bought it. Really am grateful for all responses, I will get a multimeter or access to one. All this information is particularly helpful because it means I can prevent being ripped off by any unscrupulous mechanics. Thank you.

[expresso bongo]

Before you buy a new battery, make sure your alternator output is up to spec; you could have a partial alternator failure (one of the three diode packs has failed). With the engine running (set about 2000 rpm) output should be around 14 volts.
This situation could persist for months; all seems to be well but the battery never gets fully charged; after a period of disuse, and normal self-discharge, it will look like a battery failure.
E.B.

[Velocette]

If you don't have a multimeter, get one of these (the mini blade type) and put in in place of each fuse in the fuse box. Usual suspects for flat batteries are the stereo (especially the Aldi / Lidl ones), alarm or side door closer.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/automotive-curr ... ter-217879

Do you have a leisure battery and split charge system? This is another possible cause of a problem.

That looks brilliant. Quite easy to adapt to other fuse sizes too if necessary. e.g. the ones in my Willinton kit.