Member Since: 31 Jul 2017
Location: Gloucestershre
Posts: 33
Battery Voltage
Hi all. Spent so much time reading battery posts recently that I can't see the wood for the trees. My issue is as follows:
Use the car for short runs during the week approximately 3 miles each way and a longer run over the weekend. Timed climate only works sporadically due to low voltage. Been out to check the battery this morning after a week of short journeys, , IIDtool shows 12.4V. Is this about right for such short mileage.
The battery is a brand new Exide EK950 was fully charged overnight with a CTEK MXS25 before fitting. IIDtool used to tell the car a new battery of the correct amperage was fitted.
Does is sound like there is an issue or am I worrying about nowt and just can't use timed climate with such a short journey. The FBH defo works as the car gets up to temp rapidly when the outside temps are low.
Longwinded waffle but any thoughts welcome! 👍😊
12th Jan 2019 12:37 pm
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4400
You're not doing enough miles in a week to keep the battery charged. Discoverys are heavy on the electrics, and marginal on the charging. If you're using timed climate as well (and heated seats /windows) the battery never has a chance to recover. Use your charger during the week to keep the battery topped up. Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
12th Jan 2019 2:30 pm
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8073
12.4v = battery 40% charged, you want 12.7+v for a fully charged battery, the Ctek25 is a little over the top for maintenance charging but it will not overcharge, a simple plug in the cigar lighter voltmeter is very useful and as said above top up the charge 2-3 times a week while battery demand is high. Tow bar plug adapter for charging is recommended. A low charged battery will have a short life.It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
12th Jan 2019 2:49 pm
moogser
Member Since: 31 Jul 2017
Location: Gloucestershre
Posts: 33
rrhool wrote:
You're not doing enough miles in a week to keep the battery charged. Discoverys are heavy on the electrics, and marginal on the charging. If you're using timed climate as well (and heated seats /windows) the battery never has a chance to recover. Use your charger during the week to keep the battery topped up.
I thought that would be the case. Only really considered how little miles I am currently doing when I typed it out! Think I need to dust off the push bike and leave the Disco on a maintenance charge!
What sort of miles do I need to be doing to keep it up at a decent voltage? From current experience as you say charging seems to be on the minimal side!
Cheers for the info guys.
12th Jan 2019 4:58 pm
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4400
I drive 5 miles each way, to and from work, and it's not really enough. I notice when the battery is getting a bit low when my dash cam (hardwired) doesn't start when I key on.
I have to top the battery up, either with a longer drive, or on the battery charger.Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
12th Jan 2019 5:06 pm
moogser
Member Since: 31 Jul 2017
Location: Gloucestershre
Posts: 33
@rrhool cheers for confirming. Sods law that the feckin MXS25 is too powerful to use via the tow socket. Looks like I’ll need another charger. What’s the general consensus for maint charging, mxs10 or would a 5 do? Ideally I’ll be able to use it on my motorbike too so not all bad.
Cheers
12th Jan 2019 5:27 pm
Jubbly
Member Since: 20 Nov 2016
Location: Stourbridge
Posts: 401
My Battery rarely shows above 12.4 volts, always starts and always works timed climate. Thats via the voltage on the altox unit.
it has show 12.7v after the ctex has been on but not for long.Jaguar I-Pace HSE imminent.
Gone HSE with Flappy Paddles. IID BT tool. RLD Spare Protector, Altox GPS.
13th Jan 2019 9:37 pm
moogser
Member Since: 31 Jul 2017
Location: Gloucestershre
Posts: 33
They are pretty much the exact same figures I'm getting. Might have another go of the timed climate when the weather drops again. Probably with a top up from the CTEK to help matters.
13th Jan 2019 9:49 pm
Jubbly
Member Since: 20 Nov 2016
Location: Stourbridge
Posts: 401
I was going to replace it, but i've had the car 18 months now and it's still going ok.Jaguar I-Pace HSE imminent.
Gone HSE with Flappy Paddles. IID BT tool. RLD Spare Protector, Altox GPS.
13th Jan 2019 9:51 pm
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8073
moogser wrote:
@rrhool cheers for confirming. Sods law that the feckin MXS25 is too powerful to use via the tow socket. Looks like I’ll need another charger. What’s the general consensus for maint charging, mxs10 or would a 5 do? Ideally I’ll be able to use it on my motorbike too so not all bad.
Cheers
A 3.5 will do if you leave it on overnight, in the meantime use the 25 as said they will not overcharge, it’s so easy just to plug into the tow socket.It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
13th Jan 2019 10:01 pm
moogser
Member Since: 31 Jul 2017
Location: Gloucestershre
Posts: 33
Jubbly wrote:
I was going to replace it, but i've had the car 18 months now and it's still going ok.
I replaced mine and its exactly the same with the new battery. Might see if I can return the new one and
get a MXS3.8!
Cheers
14th Jan 2019 10:52 am
grzesiul
Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6266
I used to use MXS7.0 which is still awesome but this year main and little batteries died in cold conditions
to even start the car it took 13h for main batt rescue charge before it was replaced with new as it only held 12.4 V at "full" charge.
Pro25S does 95Ah battery in sub 3 H from almost empty so super conveniant could not recommend more
G
14th Jan 2019 12:24 pm
DiscoJeffster
Member Since: 27 Feb 2016
Location: Perth
Posts: 204
I guess the OP is worried that the 25 will allow too many amp through the rear connection and blow the fuse? Yes, if I had a 25 I'd use it, but I have an anderson plug and 6B&S feed direct to the front battery with a 50amp circuit breaker so could get away with it. I have a 7amp CTEK and it does the job for maintenance for me. I used it monthly in the hope to get an extra year or two out of the expensive AGM battery. 3 years per battery is not my idea of fun.
14th Jan 2019 1:38 pm
grzesiul
Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6266
that is eaclty how long my batteries held for
dealer was not able to figure out why SS does not work and after change to new ones all is fine
now is time for lower steering column my favourite on most LR3/4
G
14th Jan 2019 1:43 pm
moogser
Member Since: 31 Jul 2017
Location: Gloucestershre
Posts: 33
DiscoJeffster wrote:
I guess the OP is worried that the 25 will allow too many amp through the rear connection and blow the fuse? Yes, if I had a 25 I'd use it, but I have an anderson plug and 6B&S feed direct to the front battery with a 50amp circuit breaker so could get away with it. I have a 7amp CTEK and it does the job for maintenance for me. I used it monthly in the hope to get an extra year or two out of the expensive AGM battery. 3 years per battery is not my idea of fun.
Yup that was my understanding. I suspect the car only has whatever the standard LR tow electrics are rather than something more exotic. I'll go with a lower amp CTEK via the tow socket.
I'm pretty surprised with only getting 3 years out of a car battery, but I suppose as others have stated, Disco's like using electricity but not giving it back!
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Think I need to dust off the push bike and leave the Disco on a maintenance charge!
