Fordmods Logo

ZL Battery going flat 

 

Page 1 of 2 [ 16 posts ] Go to page 1, 2  Next

 
 Post subject: ZL Battery going flat
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 8:53 pm 
Tyre Shredder
Offline

Age: 38

Posts: 384

Joined: 26th Jun 2005

Ride: 1984 FD LTD

Location: Mackay
QLD, Australia

heyaz

my ZL Fairlane seems to like to flatten the battery a lot faster than normal for a car that isnt driven
(i like to start it at least once a week and let it idle for a few mins to make sure that all is working as such)
the car isnt on the road, but it is annoying to find that it wont start due to flat battery.

all the doors are shut up right - i even pulled the interior light out!
the glovebox is shut right up (not that that light works newayz...)
and i am definatly not leaving any lights on in it eiher

it is getting quite annoying, as it is only a new battery (as the last one dropped a cell)

any ideas?

thanks in advance :)

 

_________________

Member Of "Team LWB"
FD: My Current Project

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/ ... age029.jpg

ZL: A Work In Progress - that went to the tip!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/ ... maller.jpg

Top
 Profile  
 
 
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 8:58 pm 
Getting Side Ways
Offline
User avatar

Age: 45

Posts: 624

Joined: 21st Mar 2005

Ride: Triton ute BA Futura

Location: Woori Yallock
VIC, Australia

Have you tried taking off the positive lead and checking to see if something is pulling voltage? This can be done with a multimeter by placing the leads between the battery and the lead to the engine
Top
 Profile  
 
 
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 9:01 pm 
Tyre Shredder
Offline

Age: 38

Posts: 384

Joined: 26th Jun 2005

Ride: 1984 FD LTD

Location: Mackay
QLD, Australia

nah i havnt, il go out and try that now

ok... i dont know how to work a multimeter... i can get battery voltage (11.45volts) but what 'setting' should i use to find out if there is somethign drawing power?

 

_________________

Member Of "Team LWB"
FD: My Current Project

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/ ... age029.jpg

ZL: A Work In Progress - that went to the tip!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/ ... maller.jpg

Last edited by zk on Fri Dec 16, 2005 9:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Top
 Profile  
 
 
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 9:05 pm 
Getting Side Ways
Offline

Age: 40

Posts: 419

Joined: 6th Nov 2004

Location: canberra
ACT, Australia

well starting a car for a couple of mins is not going to charge it. would draw more current opening it starting it closing it than what u would put in it idling for a min or two. id either pull the battery out, and trickel charge it every mounth or so. or drive the car a bit more or let it idel much longer every time u start it. also do a current draw test as metioned.
Top
 Profile  
 
 
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 9:12 pm 
Stock as a Rock
Offline
User avatar

Age: 52

Posts: 169

Joined: 22nd Nov 2005

Gallery: 2 images

Ride: xf s-pack

Location: culburra beach
NSW, Australia

the battery needs 2 be fully charged, temp makes a diff 2. also if theres a car alarm it will drain it 2.

 

_________________

FOR CUSTOM MADE VINYL GRAPHICS, STICKERS OR DECALS, EMAIL ME AT joeboo@optusnet.com.au

IT DOES'NT MATER IF YOU WIN BY AN INCH OR A MILE, WINNING'S WINNING

Top
 Profile  
 
 
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 9:15 pm 
Tyre Shredder
Offline

Age: 38

Posts: 384

Joined: 26th Jun 2005

Ride: 1984 FD LTD

Location: Mackay
QLD, Australia

when i start it, i let it run for a few mins - not just a couple, at very least until its at normal temp

i cant drive it (technically) - as it has no plates, and a cop lives 2 doors away and seems to be watching me closely atm - honestly, i had nothing to do with the black marks leaving our street... *looks innocent*

 

_________________

Member Of "Team LWB"
FD: My Current Project

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/ ... age029.jpg

ZL: A Work In Progress - that went to the tip!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/ ... maller.jpg

Top
 Profile  
 
 
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 9:24 pm 
Getting Side Ways
Offline

Age: 40

Posts: 419

Joined: 6th Nov 2004

Location: canberra
ACT, Australia

ok well check one ur alt is charging correctly also, do a current draw test if it is more than around 500ma then its to much and something is not turning off. a alarm should only draw around 100 to 200 ma
Top
 Profile  
 
 
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 9:29 pm 
Stock as a Rock
Offline
User avatar

Age: 52

Posts: 169

Joined: 22nd Nov 2005

Gallery: 2 images

Ride: xf s-pack

Location: culburra beach
NSW, Australia

zk wrote:
when i start it, i let it run for a few mins - not just a couple, at very least until its at normal temp

i cant drive it (technically) - as it has no plates, and a cop lives 2 doors away and seems to be watching me closely atm - honestly, i had nothing to do with the black marks leaving our street... *looks innocent*


yeh, not long enough i dont think, grab a charger from supercheep or something & fully charge it, also there could be a cell dieing in the batt.

 

_________________

FOR CUSTOM MADE VINYL GRAPHICS, STICKERS OR DECALS, EMAIL ME AT joeboo@optusnet.com.au

IT DOES'NT MATER IF YOU WIN BY AN INCH OR A MILE, WINNING'S WINNING

Top
 Profile  
 
 
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 9:22 pm 
Getting Side Ways
Offline

Age: 38

Posts: 972

Joined: 6th Feb 2005

Gallery: 6 images

Ride: XHII pano, Landau

Location: S.E Subs
VIC, Australia

as was said a few mins isnt enough, i have a car that doesnt get driven. I have to start it every week and i leave it running for 15-20mins to charge the battery.

Another way would be to disconnect the battery when your not using it

 

_________________

Automatics only come in assult riffles
---------------------------------------
www.aussiecoupes.net

Top
 Profile  
 
 
Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2005 3:55 am 
Tyre Shredder
Offline

Age: 38

Posts: 384

Joined: 26th Jun 2005

Ride: 1984 FD LTD

Location: Mackay
QLD, Australia

joeboo wrote:
zk wrote:
when i start it, i let it run for a few mins - not just a couple, at very least until its at normal temp

i cant drive it (technically) - as it has no plates, and a cop lives 2 doors away and seems to be watching me closely atm - honestly, i had nothing to do with the black marks leaving our street... *looks innocent*


yeh, not long enough i dont think, grab a charger from supercheep or something & fully charge it, also there could be a cell dieing in the batt.


its a new battery - only 3 months old if that.
yeah i pulled the positive off the batt for now, to save it dieing nemore - tho i wanna move it to get my other car into the backyard and wash it..
newayz - thanks guys

 

_________________

Member Of "Team LWB"
FD: My Current Project

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/ ... age029.jpg

ZL: A Work In Progress - that went to the tip!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/ ... maller.jpg

Top
 Profile  
 
 
Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2005 7:42 am 
Getting Side Ways
Offline

Posts: 2464

Joined: 5th Nov 2004

Gallery: 7 images

Location: Brisbane
QLD, Australia

Most cars dont charge at full current / at Idle. Especially if Stereo/A/C / fans etc are on.

So starting it, and letting it idle to warm up is more likely to be draining the battery a little each time.

Have you thought about just getting a float-charger and leaving it on the battery anyway?

Nigel
Top
 Profile  
 
 
Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2005 10:06 pm 
Tyre Shredder
Offline

Age: 38

Posts: 384

Joined: 26th Jun 2005

Ride: 1984 FD LTD

Location: Mackay
QLD, Australia

ok, guys, not meaning to be rude or nething, but the purpose of my post was to find ideas as to why the battery goes flat so fast - i understand that over time a battery will loose its charge, but not in the space of time that it is doing it now.

i know i dont look after the car that well, but that wasnt the point odf this post...

thanks newayz

 

_________________

Member Of "Team LWB"
FD: My Current Project

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/ ... age029.jpg

ZL: A Work In Progress - that went to the tip!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/ ... maller.jpg

Top
 Profile  
 
 
Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2006 12:06 am 
Smokin em up
Offline

Age: 43

Posts: 210

Joined: 14th May 2005

Location: Perth
WA, Australia

hehehehe *giggle*

oh dear, :)

Time for you to get a EL like mine sweety :)

hehe

Im picking up a XR8 on 02-01-2006 :))))) Its gonna be sex on four wheels.

What I suggest you do is check for static voltage drop, batt volts with engine off and key out should be 12.3 +- 5% MAX.

I would say there is a drain there. EG: Immobiliser / radio with memory function.

You got my mobile ring and ask :)

Phill
Top
 Profile  
 
 
Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 2:44 pm 
Parts Gopher
Offline
User avatar

Age: 74

Posts: 53

Joined: 14th Sep 2005

Ride: AUIIIXR8 Ute

Location: Primbee
NSW, Australia

I see you've checked the interior lights and glovebox light, but how about the boot light?
Does it go off, so to speak. This is easily checked through the port hole in the back seat rather than getting one of your mates to climb in the boot and have a look
What stereo do you have in it, as you may be using power through a clock display?
Do you leave the keys in the car? The keys if on accessories, will still operate the fan thus drawing power.
Other than leaving the lights on I can't think of anything else that will draw power.

 

_________________

Disclaimer:
This communication represents the official view of the voices in my head.
It should not be confused with whatever voices you are hearing in your head.

Top
 Profile  
 
 
Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2006 10:09 pm 
Tyre Shredder
Offline

Age: 38

Posts: 384

Joined: 26th Jun 2005

Ride: 1984 FD LTD

Location: Mackay
QLD, Australia

thanks for the reply :)

i dont have a globe in the boot atm - the car never had one to start with,
and the car just has a crappy deck in it - i think it could be the one that left the factory with the car! and it doesnt have an LCD / clock display either.

heya Phill - long time no speak - i might give ya a call later - tho i never know when you are working and / or sleeping - i dont want to disturb the important sleepage.

the car doesnt have an immobiliser in it either or an alarm either

this has realyl got me stumped - like, nothing is open, no switches, no doors, no lights nothing that i can see, yet the battery is still dieing (and its a new battery too)

cheers :)

 

_________________

Member Of "Team LWB"
FD: My Current Project

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/ ... age029.jpg

ZL: A Work In Progress - that went to the tip!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/ ... maller.jpg

Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:
Sort by  
 Page 1 of 2  [ 16 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

 

 

It is currently Sat Apr 20, 2024 10:04 pm All times are UTC + 11 hours

 

 

(c)2014 Total Web Solutions Australia - Australian Web Hosting and Domain Names