paulbu

Each time I go abroad, after about two weeks I receive a 'low battery warning' via a text message from the the factory tracker system fitted to the Sti hatch. Sure enough when I get back, the battery is stone dead. The car is only 18 months old, has covered 9k miles, and the battery has been found to be in A1 condition. A short journey soon puts plenty of juice back in to the battery so it is charging OK during running. Something must be draining the battery when not in use. Any ideas as to the cause or is a simple remedy to disconnect the battery before going away ?

v6wrx

iTrader: (2)

Same here but mine be dead after around four days, Alarm system is the problem with me. I just disconnect the battery now.

Maz

iTrader: (34)

The tracker may be the culprit.

richie001

iTrader: (3)

Maybe the tracker system it's self.

jh1-2009

Mine would be dead after 4 or 5 days. It gets drained by the alarm/immobilizer and the tracker. At least you know your tracker works. As said you could disconnect your battery or just put it on charge soon as you get home

paulbu

Thanks for the prompt replies. The car is kept in a locked garage so disconnecting the battery altogether would be no problem as long as it doesn't interfere with the mapping on a 330 hatch. Is this possible ?

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

If it's in the garage why not use a battery conditioner, I've got a CteK.Brilliant piece of kit

Shaun

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

Get yourself one of these buddy.

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/vie...id=71866838057

My car is used very little so has one of these on all the time. Not only keeps your battery juiced up but also maintains it. Fantastic bit of kit.
Got mine from a local motorbike shop for £50.

Beastie

iTrader: (2)

Mine also flat in two weeks. Its the tracker draining the battery. I have a battery conditiooner also that i plug into a socket on the front of the car.
I use the Halfords one which is £25 to buy. Been using it for 3 - 4 years now, with no problems.

paulbu

Thanks again. I might go for one of these 'conditioners' but a simple disconnection looks the favourite.

SLAB

iTrader: (77)

buy a battery optimizer i think that's the way you spell it. when your cars not in use it keeps battery's top condition
Oxford do one a for about £30 quid.
sLAB

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

Don't forget you will lose the "learned" part of the map if you disconnect the battery......

Shaun

andy97

iTrader: (1)

Ctek is a decent brand of charger/ electronic conditioner

davedipster

A cheap motorbike battery trickle charger will suit you needs, see here

http://www.oxprod.com/index.php?pg=3...134&pid=198&p=

I leave my Oxford one connected for weeks at a time and it keeps the battery fully charged, no chance of over charging or short circuits while you are away.
I've had mine for about 5 years.

Dipster.

salsa-king

I have the same problem. Sometimes less than two weeks. The hatch has so much power drain with the alarm etc. I now put it on the trickle charge from halford. Cost about 20quid

NOSSY_89

What tracker are you guys using.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

First big mistake of motoring101

This practice DOES NOT, and will NEVER fully charge a lead acid battery. Not unless you drive for 24hours non-stop. This is due to the very nature of how a lead acid battery accepts charging current when it approaches 75% state of charge.

To be totally sure the battery is fully charged, measure the voltage after leaving the car to stand overnight and compare to this table (makes sure everything is off, doors closed etc. or disconnect it):




If its not 100%, the only way to get it there is for a very very very very long drive...or a intelligent multistage charger such as a Accumate or Ctek. Anything below 70% will cause damage to the battery if left in this condition - this 'damage' results in a reduced capacity (i.e it'll struggle to start the car after standing for shorter and shorter periods)

A dumb charger will work, but you risk overcharging and damaging the battery as you have no way of accurately timing how long to charge for.

Further info here: http://jgdarden.com/batteryfaq/carfaq9.htm

http://jgdarden.com/batteryfaq/carfaq.htm

paulbu

Please expand for the less enlightened such as myself. What exactly is the "learned" part of the map ?

rev.chris

get urself one of these,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SOLAR-POWE...item2c5a1c43f6

HAGGY

iTrader: (1)

get a ctek mate ! if you keep letting the battery go flat , then charge it normally it will sulphate and go knackerd ! ctek is the best way !

paulbu

Right then, a trickle charger it is, although I doubt that a solar power driven one will be of much use in a dark garage. Thanks for all the ideas.

paulbu

Tracker system is the factory fitted one on the STi hatch.