Battery

[bertiebasset]

Good morning forum.
I recently changed my Autotrail (2010 Savannah) radio from a single din to double din. Wired up the same way with converters etc. It runs from a separate feed to enable it to be on without ignition as the TV sound runs through it.
I normally keep it plugged in over the winter but due to garden works etc. I have been delayed in connecting to mains. Over the weekend I went in to take pictures of my rooflight to help out another funster and found the Vehicle battery dead. Showing about 8.4v on display which was beeping at me. Leisure batteries fine.
Put on charge over a few days but today needed to move it. Multimeter showing 13.9v on charge but only 11.8v when mains disconnected and dropping to 9v when trying to start. Needless to say it would not turn over. Put car in front and connected jump leads. Same result just a grunt.
I did check the display which shows a 0.5a discharge for the vehicle battery when not charging but failed to see what the discharge was before changing the radio. I do have a Sigma alarm/imobiliser fitted also tracker which will all take a little but never had a problem before. Taken the battery off now and it is warm to the touch. It also looks like an original so must be 10 years old. Time for a new one so looking through the forum noticed Techno had replaced his and shows wonderful pictures but the link for his battery is long expired.
Looking for suggestions for replacement and thoughts on ------- was it just time for a new one/I have done well for a 10yr old battery or could the radio need a separate isolation switch.?

 

[Jev88]

10 year old main battery? Well done but time to bin it as you are seeing poor voltage under load despite being charged up.
It should ave a battery model sticker - like "017" or "019" - replace like for like. Or use BatteryMegastore or similar, plug in registration and they usually have a list of batteries that fit. Dimensions are as important as the CCA (cranking amps).

 

[bertiebasset]

Jev88 Thanks for the quick reply. Yes,, think I have done well although it is not like a daily used car battery. Have been in touch with Battery megastore and quoting £100 for replacement. Ouch.! but needed so hope to have it in the morning. Happy days.

 

[andy63]

Hi.. half an amp is a fair old drain to have..it might help to try and identify the main culprit..and your suggestion of an isolated on the radio when laid up may be the way to go.. or fit a battery master type device to cater for the drain if you can keep the leisure topped with solar or mains..
andy

 

[rosalan]

My Leisure battery seemed to have let me down when using my inverter. I took it to a battery specialist who did two tests (?) on it including a load (?) test and declared it good. As I was still thinking there could be a problem, he put it onto a computerised (?) test over several hours. It failed.

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[bertiebasset]

And here is the reference for anyone else who finds winter is not their friend: 252771964527
or
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=252771964527

 

[bertiebasset]

andy63 Thanks and yes will look into an isolator for the radio. I take the leisure batteries off over winter and have them on the bench on a weekly smart charge. My Autotrail does not have the auto charger so found I had to enter the van to select either vehicle or leisure batteries for charge,,, bit awkward when the winter cover is on.

 

[cmcardle75]

When fitting my double DIN radio, I rewired it to the leisure battery, so don't have to worry about that one!

10 years is a good life for a starter battery. £100 is not a good price, though. Is it something massive? A typical 067/096 should be around £60. If it is a really big truck battery though, it can be more (i.e. a 629 would be £150+).

 

[bertiebasset]

I phoned our local battery supplier and they were quoting £150 for the replacement so whilst not happy to pay £100 these are big batteries and hopefully it will do me till I get an electric RV in another 10 years time.

 

[pappajohn]

A typical 067/096 should be around £60.

Wish mine was.. Stupid AGM for the engine auto stop/start system which doesn't work due to (failing) battery capacity too low.
Nearer to £130 to £160

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[cmcardle75]

Wish mine was.. Stupid AGM for the engine auto stop/start system which doesn't work due to (failing) battery capacity too low.
Nearer to £130 to £160

I haven't had a start-stop vehicle old enough to require a new battery yet! If I did, I'd look out for an EFB replacement, if there is one compatible with the start stop system.