Battery Maintenance

[RussBird82]

Bought my car last year with what was a newish battery at the time. Never owned a car before that needed to be hooked up to a maintainer and though running it once a week or so (avoiding salt roads) throughout winter would suffice. How wrong I was.

In the depths of winter the had a tendency to discharge to approx 3v. However after a quick jump with my daily and it was good for a 20 minute drive to work and back (9hrs later). And probably ok for the next day and beyond (without jumping) if I was able to use it.

Having said that,I was getting a bit fed up with repeatedly jump starting the car, so invested in a trickle charger, in this case a Hulkman Sigma 5. A really sturdy unit that apparently has a desulphication feature.

Question is, as the car is parked outside, constantly having to hook and unhook for security when I'm away for length of time, seems more of an inconvenience than jump starting the car. Additionally since I bought the trickle charger, the battery doesn't seem to be as peppy or reliable as it was when I used to just jump start it. And having to call a work colleague to assist when it wouldn't start the other night (despite being on trickle) is testament to this.

So my questions are:

A) What is a typical discharge for the car in winter and how much difference does the isolation switch make (I never used it)

B) What is a good maintenance strategy moving forward? Car is used probably once every 10-14 days in winter, 2-3 in summer.

C) Does anyone have e experience of the desulphication chargers actually working. Having read a few forums it suggests weeks/months and more often than not just a gimmick.

D) I saw on eBay you can now buy car batteries from Amazon . Where is the best source for a reliable replacement battery? Yet again, according to the doom and gloom forums once the battery drops charge is starts to sulphate/pretty much knackered below 11v

 

[SE_123]

Once a battery has been discharged, it essentially needs replacing. Sounds like you need a new battery.

I have a CTEK - it has a long cable which lives in the boot (connected to the battery) and the charger lives in an IP rated box next to where I park. So when I get home, I open the boot then plug into the charger with the "quick connector". It takes about 8 seconds.

It seems some people think having a battery on a charger long term is bad for the battery health. Probably best to charge it, then 3/4 days off, then charge, then off etc etc

 

[CatmanV2]

@SE_123 experience matches my own. I had a connector with an extended low voltage cable so that all the mains voltages were in the garage, and the thin gauge, low voltage cables were outside. All connectors were in the garage or the boot. There was no issue closing the lid.

I also had one of these:

To stop myself driving off before unplugging. Mostly...

C

 

[RussBird82]

I don't have an external socket at present. Current 'charge for any length of time' set up is cable by back door wedged closed with a golf putter/no letterbox. I agree about keeping a battery fully charged, I genuinely didn't realise how much it knackers up a battery letting it drop outside of the operating range. I looked at Ctek but reviews put me off, happy with the Hulkman but I think the de-sulphation is a gimmick. Although at present it's showing 14.2V (attempting a full charge), I believe once it's optimum it drops back and goes into maintenance mode.

So do you ever isolate the battery?

 

[Scaf]

I have had various “exotic” cars all of which have needed up with completely flat batteries at one stage or another and all have been rescued with a ctech.

My Strad is happy o be left on the drive u used for 2-3 weeks with no issue but I tend to put on the trickle if I am leaving any longer than that.

Regular starts and short journeys won’t be helping as the discharge associated with a “start” will take time to recharge.

Also it’s my believe that if you lock which the key, the alarm is not set and therefore not draining the battery.

A tracker is also a common battery drain problem, so if you have one that could demand a regular trickle charge.

So I would:
- check for tracker and remove if not used
- lock on the key, not the fob
- start again with a new battery (less that £100)
- avoid starting unless you are using the car
- trickle charge every two weeks

Best of luck - ther is little or no consistency in terms of experience I this regard, every car / owner / battery seems to be different.

 

[Brendan]

If you get a battery, get one with a long guarantee, e.g. 5 years. Chances are it won't last 5 years based on how it's used. Leaving it on a charger permanently isn't such a good idea.

 

[RussBird82]

I have had various “exotic” cars all of which have needed up with completely flat batteries at one stage or another and all have been rescued with a ctech.

My Strad is happy o be left on the drive u used for 2-3 weeks with no issue but I tend to put on the trickle if I am leaving any longer than that.

Regular starts and short journeys won’t be helping as the discharge associated with a “start” will take time to recharge.

Also it’s my believe that if you lock which the key, the alarm is not set and therefore not draining the battery.

A tracker is also a common battery drain problem, so if you have one that could demand a regular trickle charge.

So I would:
- check for tracker and remove if not used
- lock on the key, not the fob
- start again with a new battery (less that £100)
- avoid starting unless you are using the car
- trickle charge every two weeks

Best of luck - ther is little or no consistency in terms of experience I this regard, every car / owner / battery seems to be different.

Thanks for the advice. Cost isn't as issue as batteries are batteries. Just seems strange the 4200 is so quick to drain . No tracker, will take your point on the alarm .

Right now I'm giving the battery a couple of weeks grace to see if this charger is able to provide any voodoo magic. I'm not fooled by the 14.2v it's currently showing as it was 13.9 when I left for work the other day and 8v by the time I got home/after a jump.

The guy who jump started me had a Fiesta Eco Boost (with wet belt issues), jump starting a Maserati is probably the highlight of that cars existence . (Google Ford/Wet belt)

 

[cheshiremaserati]

The CTEK is the gold standard. I have both cars connected permanently when laid up from end September to April/May.

I put both cars on the road yesterday, never been started for 7 months. Both perfect!

Even now, they are hooked up to trickle chargers, even if it may be only days before being driven.

You need to replace the battery. It is probably knackered. Go for a Bosch, Varta or Exide with strong cold cramping amps (CCA) and a 4/5 year warranty.

Invest in a CTEK MX 5.0. In the event of a power cut and then restored power, it resets the charge function. Many (cheaper) alternatives don't. Happened to me with a cheap LiDL £14.99 charger. Was in Spain for 3 months. Had a power cut. Them restored. The Turbo's CTEK reset and carried on charging. The LiDL one didn't. It has to be manually reset to select motorcycle or motor car charging. That didn't happen. Battery died.

Bought a new battery and all sorted.

 

[RussBird82]

The CTEK is the gold standard. I have both cars connected permanently when laid up from end September to April/May.

I put both cars on the road yesterday, never been started for 7 months. Both perfect!

Even now, they are hooked up to trickle chargers, even if it may be only days before being driven.

You need to replace the battery. It is probably knackered. Go for a Bosch, Varta or Exide with strong cold cramping amps (CCA) and a 4/5 year warranty.

Invest in a CTEK MX 5.0. In the event of a power cut and then restored power, it resets the charge function. Many (cheaper) alternatives don't. Happened to me with a cheap LiDL £14.99 charger. Was in Spain for 3 months. Had a power cut. Them restored. The Turbo's CTEK reset and carried on charging. The LiDL one didn't. It has to be manually reset to select motorcycle or motor car charging. That didn't happen. Battery died.

Bought a new battery and all sorted.

Do you ever use these isolate switch? I assume it's meant for car not in use summer or colder winter/while charging?

 

[cheshiremaserati]

Do you ever use these isolate switch? I assume it's meant for car not in use summer or colder winter/while charging?

I never use the battery isolate switch.
I use the CTEK all the time. When laid up from end of September until April or May and throughout the May to September period when on the road.

 

[SE_123]

I have a CTEK mx5.0

To be honest, I have not found it to be that great. The cable/connector convenience is good, but I do find often the unit has an error (so it stops charging) meaning I have to unplug from the mains then reconnect.

 

[RussBird82]

I really like the Hulkman Sigma 5, appreciate CTEK is the known brand but Amazon reviews aren't spectacular. My only criticism of my Hulkman is it doesn't seem to do much with a totally flat battery, supposedly it jas a force charge mode but .the only way I got it to work was jump start then trickle.

 

[lifes2short]

noco genius 5 and 10 are good, got a couple and never had any problems

 

[lifes2short]

halfords sell noco as well

NOCO Genius10 10 Amp Battery Charger / Conditioner

The NOCO Genius10 is a battery charger, maintainer and conditioner suitable for 6v and 12v lead acid batteries plus 12v AGM, gel, maintenance free and lithium ion batteries. A quick release bracket is includes for convenient mounting to a workshop or garage wall.Capable of recovering deeply...

www.demon-tweeks.com

 

[Black Mazerati]

@SE_123 experience matches my own. I had a connector with an extended low voltage cable so that all the mains voltages were in the garage, and the thin gauge, low voltage cables were outside. All connectors were in the garage or the boot. There was no issue closing the lid.

I also had one of these:

To stop myself driving off before unplugging. Mostly...

C

Instead of needing that tag just don't latch the boot. Pretty sure you can't put it in gear if the boot isn't latched. This is for the CC not a true manual.

 

[CatmanV2]

Instead of needing that tag just don't latch the boot. Pretty sure you can't put it in gear if the boot isn't latched. This is for the CC not a true manual.

Yeah. My cars live outside, so leaving the boot open / alarm off really wasn't an option. The Ghibli does not seem to suffer to the same extent

C

 

[spkennyuk]

I really like the Hulkman Sigma 5, appreciate CTEK is the known brand but Amazon reviews aren't spectacular. My only criticism of my Hulkman is it doesn't seem to do much with a totally flat battery, supposedly it jas a force charge mode but .the only way I got it to work was jump start then trickle.

Smart chargers wont charge very low batteries. Your three options are if its below 6v in which case your battery is probably knackered then put it on 6v charge if your charger has the option and then switch to 12 volts once it allows.

The second as you have discovered is to use a boost pack to inject some charge into the battery and then the smart charger can be hooked up.

The third option is to hook up a good battery with jump cables to the flat battery and then charge the good battery. The charge will then trickle across to the flat battery.

Depends what you have available as to which method is best. I tend to use the boost pack to pump the voltage up and then charge the flat.

Depending on your smart charger it needs around 7 plus volts before it will start the charge cycle.

 

[spkennyuk]

I have a CTEK mx5.0

To be honest, I have not found it to be that great. The cable/connector convenience is good, but I do find often the unit has an error (so it stops charging) meaning I have to unplug from the mains then reconnect.

I think Ctek from 10 years ago were indeed the top of the line chargers. However if you look at reviews in the last 5 years or so the build quality and reliability seems to have dropped off by a fair degree to the extent where they cant justify the price and are trading on a depleting past reputation.

 

[Brendan]

I'd agree. There are a lot of others these days

 

[Corranga]

No tracker

Are you absolutely certain of this? Mine used to drain within a couple of days, it was the tracker, it's really common as the batteries within the tracker die off over time.
They are potentially factory fit, and I think if there isn't a subscription, you'd never know anything about it, even if the car doesn't have the tracker cards on board.
So could it be that there is a tracker, but the cards were lost prior to your ownership so you don't know, or have you looked in the common places to know it's not there?