Replacement Battery

[Jamo]

Has anyone had to replace the starter battery yet??

Mine's on the way out (three attempts to bench charge and the little window is still black).

There's a varta that is Silver-Calcium. Does anyone know if this is good enough?

[PCH]

Jamo, your D3 can't be 3 years old yet. That's a bugger to have to replace so soon.

Hope these are easy to source and don't need to come from LR :(

Chris

[WhiteD3]

Jamo, your D3 can't be 3 years old yet.

Then it'd be warranty, wouldn't it?

[muppo]

Then it'd be warranty, wouldn't it?

Good luck with warranty on a 2005 bateery!

[Jamo]

2.5 years, Chris! But it's had a couple of big discharges (once by the techs who forgot to plug it into a charger when puting the car into dynamic suspension setting mode & another caused by the incorrect dual battery install done by a local mob)

White D3 - 108,000km = no warranty (plus I don't think the battery is covered for three years anyway).

[BigJon]

(plus I don't think the battery is covered for three years anyway).

'tis, I claim 'em :twisted:

[Jamo]

What do you replace them with?? I have been led to believe you can't get the oe battery in Aust. Is that true??

[RichardK]

Jamo,
I replaced mine a few months ago, put in a Bosch from Challenge Batteries in Osborne Park

[jik22]

Jamo,
I replaced mine a few months ago, put in a Bosch from Challenge Batteries in Osborne Park

Was in there again today stocking up on some cable and some other wiring bits. Must say, I'm very impressed with them....good prices, and know what they're talking about.

[talltales]

My original 2005 TDV6 S battery failed January 08 and it was replaced under warranty at Southern Cross Landrover Toowoomba. No questions asked.

[Scouse]

What do you replace them with?? I have been led to believe you can't get the oe battery in Aust. Is that true??LR can supply the genuine batteries now, have done so for a couple of years.
They're not cheap though but getting a suitable equivalent can be hard.

The battery is covered for the full 3yrs / 100000km but if your dealer has flattened it in the past, it might be worthwhile hitting them up for one.

PM sent.

[Cammac]

My TV6 SE just turned 3yr with 84,000k and th3e battery has died. The manual says I need a 90 or 110Ah. Searching on the web there are deep cycles for $300+. Ist there anything cheaper that will work in Brisbane?

[drivesafe]

Hi Cammac and welcome aboard.

Before going into what battery would work for you, just how do you use your D3, do you do lots of day to day driving or does it sit around for long periods, and do you run any accessories off the cranking battery.

Cheers

[Cammac]

Hi Drivesafe

It's my daily drive. It only ever gets to used in 4wd in my driveway when its being raining. Then it's a necessity The calculation I made for a standard battery plus 30% spare misses the 90Ah by 5Ah.

[drivesafe]

How long do you drive for when you use the D3.

[Sprint]

i know it aint comparing apples with apples, but the delkor in my XR8 is 5 years old.....

[Cammac]

I drive my D3 about 1h to and from work daily very day, 2h a day. It does not sit idle for 1 day except the last couple. I went to the Bosch battery web site and in a pdf read that you could calculate the capacity of a battery using the following formula capacity (Ah)=Power consumed (Watt hrs)/Battery Voltage x 0.8. It is then suggested that you need an additional 30% above that for incidental load. I had a bosch BN70ZZ4wd from and old RR I've got but this only has 72.9 Ah well off the 90 or 110 specified in the D3 manual. The manual suggests if you put an inappropriate battery it may catch fire, over charge?
Well, how do I know my battery is dead. I don't except when I went to start it first thing yesterday morning I got the most spectacular light display and the enigine just turned over and would not start. When I came back at lunchtime it started but gave a series of fault messages associated with the hand brake. I had got similar messages a day earlier but after driving 15 k stopping and restarting they reset and got no messages. I assume the battery had recharged.
Looking at the change window in the top of the battery it is green so I assume that one of the plates is shorting or collapsed. My landrover 3yr roadside assist lapsed 7 days ago but I do have RACQ platnium so can get it towed but I think its just the battery.

[drivesafe]

Hi Cammac, this is just a suggestion but before you do anything about your battery, try checking all your cable connections.

Start there and see if you find something a miss.

Cheers

[Jamo]

As drivesafe said Cammac, there have been similar situations which have been down to loose earth connections at the body.

[CaverD3]

You need to be very careful what battery you put in the D3 as it is a Lead-Clacium battery. They charge at a much higher voltage than normal lead acids.
Jamo, would be asking the dealer to replace with anew one, they know they let it go flat once and it should last the three years too. I am sure they can pursuade LR for a warrany claim.:D

[Jamo]

I've already replaced mine Caver. Got one from LR. Was only just over $200. No more 'transmission fault' at start up:D:D

Well out of warranty now. Plus I depleted it myself once by using the winch without the motor running.:oops2: (it was late, I was wet and was being eaten by mossies)

[CaverD3]

Did you ask the dealer or did you just pay for the battery?
Surprised at the price, thought it would be more.
Flattened mine leaving the lights on. :oops2:
NRMA patrol said they are seeing a lot of lead calcium btteries in european cars now, said they are meant to last longer. :rolleyes:

[Cammac]

I checked the voltage today and it was 12.95v which I think tells me that its not the battery. I'll book it in this week tell you the outcome and hope that its not $$$$$$$.

[CaverD3]

12.25v on mine.
14.59v charging with engine on.

[drivesafe]

12.95 with the motor off is OK but if the motor is running then there is a major problem with your charging system.

As Caver posted, 12.25v with the motor off, this is common and I would imagine that if your reading is with the motor off then you probably took the reading only a short time after turn the motor off.

If so leave the D3 over night and try measuring the battery’s voltage in the morning before starting the motor, you will get a better idea if the battery is holding a charge.

Cheers.

[Jamo]

Did you ask the dealer or did you just pay for the battery?


$226.30 including GST:D

Didn't bother asking the dealer for a freebie. 22000km out of warranty now. It wasn't the same dealer who flattened it anyway. I went to that dealer 3 times for the same thing (totalling 3000km) and never went back.

[bruiser69]

$226.30 including GST:D

Didn't bother asking the dealer for a freebie. 22000km out of warranty now. It wasn't the same dealer who flattened it anyway. I went to that dealer 3 times for the same thing (totalling 3000km) and never went back.

Hi Guys,

My original Delco calcium technology battery lasted for 6 years in Disco TD5!! Best battery I ever had. I got a quote from battery place for a Delco replacement, ($260) and he told me it would take a week to get stock. He convinced me that Heavy Duty Exide was just as good & only $238. That was nearly two year ago & i'm now on my second Exide, with the first dying just inside 1yr warranty. I hope to sell/trade before this second Exide dies;)

I have heard that Calcium batteries are the best, with no maintenance. They must not be overcharged though as you can't top up electrolyte, & if left flat for more than 7 days may not take a charge.
Calcium batteries must be kept cool as well for above reason.

Cheers..Bruiser

[Jamo]

They can't handle being flattened too many times either. That's what happened to my original one.

[WhiteD3]

Calcium batteries must be kept cool as well for above reason.

Define "Cool" please.

Summer in QLD, out on the tracks, battery under the bonnet, got to be at least 70 or 80° in there.

[CaverD3]

Automotive Battery Question and Answers (http://www.battery.co.za/auto/Q&ACalciumRange.htm)

[bruiser69]

Define "Cool" please.

Summer in QLD, out on the tracks, battery under the bonnet, got to be at least 70 or 80° in there.

Most Calcium batteries can't be topped up with water, but have a gas relief valve to prevent pressure buildup. Obviously when the electrolyte has all outgassed, battery is stuffed. Manufacturers advise not mounting battery near exhaust, and preferably close to front of engine bay to receive cool air.

Cheers..Bruiser

[lrdef110]

You blokes must have jinxed me because my battery dropped a cell today after 26 months. LR would give me a new one under warranty but it had to be a genuine LR battery which had to come from Melbourne by road (because it is a battery they can't come by air freight). So i forked out $286 for a non genuine battery to save the inconvienance of being off the road until Monday. Sort of a claytons warranty isn't it.

Anyway don't talk about any other problems for a while.

Barry.

[drivesafe]

Sort of a claytons warranty isn't it.
Barry.

Not really as the LR one is probably a European battery, which are much better than the Asian one you most likely just bought.

[Jamo]

Hello Tim, you're right! The LR battery (Part No: RO-YGD500130) that I just got is a Varta - made in Germany (don't mention the War)

[drivesafe]

Hello Tim, you're right! The LR battery (Part No: RO-YGD500130) that I just got is a Varta - made in Germany (don't mention the War)

Hi Jamo, when I was redesigning the SC40 to meet LRA spec requirements one of the comments I got from the LR tech was that is was going to get interesting down the line, when people need to replace their batteries ( after warranty ) and put some other type in.

The D3 is set to optimis one specific type of battery and so we now wait and see what will happen.

[Cammac]

Yes, my battery was dead despite the window on the top being green. I had disconnected the leads and put it on a trickle charger for two days and it made on difference. Error messages for the hand brake, traction and security system and the slow turning of the motor. I got help from the RACQ. On their arrival it had 10.5v. He then used two sets of jumper leads to get the current needed to start it. Once having been run the battery magically read 11.5v. He then tested the battery and it had 625CCA when its meant to have 825CCA. It was still enough to start it and I got into Austral who were great!! The RACQ guy said batteries would last 3 to 6 months less in Darwin due to the heat. Anyway after the car was turned off it still drew 0.8A. Austral said that this was normal and it goes into a sleep mode after about 40 min and draws 0.01A. I also discussed my 700CCA battery with the RACQ and was told it wouldn't fit because the LR battery is a low profile battery. It ended up being on the last day of my warranty but I was just happy to have my car it back on the road and did not mind the $320. Most interesting was that Austral is now offering a 3 year extension of the manufactures warranty for $2350 provide your existing warranty has not expired. Now as much as I trust my car which Landrover could resist!

[CaverD3]

Yes, my battery was dead despite the window on the top being green. I had disconnected the leads and put it on a trickle charger for two days and it made on difference. Error messages for the hand brake, traction and security system and the slow turning of the motor. I got help from the RACQ. On their arrival it had 10.5v. He then used two sets of jumper leads to get the current needed to start it. Once having been run the battery magically read 11.5v. He then tested the battery and it had 625CCA when its meant to have 825CCA.

Th Lead Calcium batteries need a special cahrger, it charges at a much higher voltage. Had to get the dealer to bench charge mine after being flattened, if you don't do this leaving it in a semi charged state will shorten the life. So I believe.

[RichardK]

Hello Tim, you're right! The LR battery (Part No: RO-YGD500130) that I just got is a Varta - made in Germany (don't mention the War)

Varta is what Challenge Batteries sold me for my 2nd battery

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