Thread: D4 battery question

When I charge mine,its always thru the aux battery,either direct or thru the rear anderson connection,its just the easiest way for me.I always make sure the Traxide is open before starting charging,I have the 160 unit.
Since having a software upgrade at the first service I havent had the low battery start engine when I unlock the car,even after 4 weeks.2 to 3 weeks would trigger it in the past.
I use a Jaycar ciggy lighter battery monitor to give a rough idea whats going on,since the software upgrade the D4 charges alot more than it used too.Worth getting one to see how your vehicle is charging.Before the upgrade it would sit on 12.6 or 12.7 constantly,then you take the foot of the accelerator downhill and it would jump to 14.7v.I rekon the "upgrade" just removes the smart charging that relied upon the alternator only charging on the over run or when it was pretty flat and now returns the alternator to a more normal style of charging.
See what Tim has to say.
Andrew

Thanks Andrew and Hi paul.

Paul, Andrew may be on to the problem in that your operating voltage may be low.

It is not too unusual to do a battery in under 2 years but to do a second one, there seems to be a problem and I suspect it will have something to do with your NORMAL operating voltage levels.

Can you take some voltage measurements at your cranking battery.

First in the morning before you start your motor, and then after you have been driving for at least 30 minutes. Leave the motor running but turn everything else off and measure the voltage at idle.

This last test can be a bit of a problem but if you can, SLOWLY discharge both batteries down to around 12.2v, say by running a fridge over the weekend ( if you are not using your D4 ) and then repeat the above readings.

This second test will see if your BMS is responding properly to a low cranking battery.

Also, is your MY12, 2.7 fitted with an AGM or Calcium cranking battery?

BTW, what settings do you have your battery charger setup at?

Originally Posted by drivesafe

Thanks Andrew and Hi paul.

Paul, Andrew may be on to the problem in that your operating voltage may be low.

It is not too unusual to do a battery in under 2 years but to do a second one, there seems to be a problem and I suspect it will have something to do with your NORMAL operating voltage levels.

Can you take some voltage measurements at your cranking battery.

First in the morning before you start your motor, and then after you have been driving for at least 30 minutes. Leave the motor running but turn everything else off and measure the voltage at idle.

This last test can be a bit of a problem but if you can, SLOWLY discharge both batteries down to around 12.2v, say by running a fridge over the weekend ( if you are not using your D4 ) and then repeat the above readings.

This second test will see if your BMS is responding properly to a low cranking battery.

Also, is your MY12, 2.7 fitted with an AGM or Calcium cranking battery?

BTW, what settings do you have your battery charger setup at?

Hi Tim,thanks for your info.

Main battery is AGM,i use the AGM auto(vehicle) setting on the charger.

I maybe ignorant,but what is the BMS,and what does it do?

If i leave the car sit,it won't take long for the voltage to reduce by itself to around 12.2,maybe a week or so.Would this be OK for the test?

I purchased one of those cig lighter voltage testers Andy suggested,but i also have a fluke meter that i use all day for work.

Battery Management System
If you use the Jaycar to test the battery on startup,wait until the system settles after unlocking as you get that power surge the unlocks and turns the lights on.
Did you see how it charges higher on the over-run??? Clever system,too clever really as when you are stuck in traffic you dont get that over run charge.
Andrew

Coincidently at the moment the D4 is in the garage and concreters are doing the driveway,so its not going anywhere soon.
Over Easter i will give it a run.

Had the voltage tester in the van,which has the old type system i think.
Sits at 14.0V most of the time and will slowly eventually drop to 13.4v at idle.Overrun seems to make no difference,stays at 14v.

It will be interesting to see how the D4 performs.

I also need to check the accuracy compared to my Fluke.

I to have problems with the low battery start engine warning. I had the software update done (LTB00667v2) but after the vehicle sitting idle for the last 7 days the message appeared again this morning.
The dealer near Brisbane city did not want to do the upgrade but instead blamed my Traxide Dual battery system, they even put it on paper saying the smart charger appears to be stuck always charging Aux battery at 12.4V.
What was the software update number you got Andy
Also if you read this Tim what do you think?

Will try and remember to look at the paperwork tomorow,the D4s way down the back locked in the shed.
Please remind me if I dont reply.NOT IN A VERY GOOD MOOD,arguing with Telstra call centre workers who cant do their job.
Andrew

Originally Posted by aus86inch

I to have problems with the low battery start engine warning. I had the software update done (LTB00667v2) but after the vehicle sitting idle for the last 7 days the message appeared again this morning.
The dealer near Brisbane city did not want to do the upgrade but instead blamed my Traxide Dual battery system, they even put it on paper saying the smart charger appears to be stuck always charging Aux battery at 12.4V.
What was the software update number you got Andy
Also if you read this Tim what do you think?

One of those Jaycar ciggy lighter should show the voltage.
Tonight I put warm beers/wine/champ in the engel for the easter trip,ciggy lighter was reading 12.4V with the engel on freeze.Put the CTek on the aux battery,charge went up to 13.4v on the ciggy lighter.
I like to run the engel on fridge/freeze for a couple of days before a trip with the CTek connected.Gets all the drinks ice cold,I put some ice bottles in the freezer compartment.Tends to use less power whilst away if its fully cooled down before the trip.
Andrew