29 replies to this topic

[iceman]

Must say...

 

..the only issues i have ever encountered have been battery related (and associated electrical dependeces) but i believe completely that every one of my issues would have been avoided if i had driven more regularly. The alarm seems to draw off allot of power and is always a temptation to not set (which of course i always do ''mr insurrance company'')

[Cavturbo]

Iceman I have seen somewhere people saying that the alarm can still drain the battery due to the age of these things

[iceman]

A healthy battery, regularly enough used i would imagine would be of no issues but i think that it is the irregular usage which makes a three year old battery age (they do recommend changing your standard battery every three years anyway).

 

I do not understand the world of electrics, car battery or otherwise and am not aware of how any electrical shielding (if any is required or used) would degrade over time and would adversly effect battery usage. To my logic (and it is not a conventional one...me being both thick and! weird) the only problem and old vx has to offer (battery wise) is the old battery sitting so snuggly in its 'jaws of death'..(..try removing one with no injuries and you're a better man than i lol ).

 

Age and it's related electrical issues on any car (and i'm happy to be corrected by those that actually know what they're talking about) can mainly be traced to componant fatigue and weather/dirt ingress and any handbuilt car will suffer more in all those areas, as build quality and chasis stiffness will eccentuatate their effect.  

[DJ_SL]

Don't know about the battery change recommendation. For something like the first 6-8yrs of owning mine, it was fine on the original battery. During that period I was driving the car daily to work. Since then I've been driving way fewer miles ans leg often (8-10k miles /yr to 1k /yr). That's when battery issues started. Had to replace the battery 6 or 7 times because it completely died.

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[iceman]

The reccommendations were! from the manufacturer (or so halfords told me) so definately 'pinch of salt' takers.

 

I must admit, the very first experience i had of my flat battery saw me invest in an accumate trickle charger and the issues i have had since have been soley when not able to plug in (as i can not do here due to an allocated parking space).

[smiley]

I think we can carefully conclude they all have a small leak that is easily overcome with regular driving.
If not possible, when inside put it on a c-tek.
If outside, mount a battery cutt off switch.

 

[iceman]

I think we can carefully conclude they all have a small leak that is easily overcome with regular driving.
If not possible, when inside put it on a c-tek.
If outside, mount a battery cutt off switch.

 

..a battery cut off switch?, darn, why didn't i ever get that! done 

[ayresyy]

If outside, mount a battery cutt off switch.

That’s not really an option if the car has the optional central locking fitted unfortunately. Has anyone had any success with a solar charger?

[DJ_SL]

@iceman more inspiration, I'm in an underground park, allocated space etc. Recently power outlet got installed for other reasons. I run a extension lead for the trickle charger when needed. Usually 24hrs and it's good. I also have the option to pay for my own outlet installation and they pay a fixed cost for elec of using more than occasional.

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[iceman]

Good afternoon.

 

Oh you are preaching to the converted there (many thanks for the inspiration). I have always been worried about using the trickle chargers boost function and have resorted to (sans the opportunity to use an extension cable in any case) having a second battery on the trickle charger here in the house.

 

In your position, i would definitely have an outlet of your own installed (dependant on longevity of residence of course). I always used (and installed my own outlet to do so on my motorbike) the ciggy lighter adaptor to charge via.