Another Traxide question thread

[Poida4x4]

Hi all (but mainly Traxide Tim)

My '95 Disco 1 300tdi had a simple solenoid activated dual battery system in it when I got it, switched by a connection to the fuel pump. Last week I fitted my new Traxide SC80 and a new 75ah AGM auxiliary battery and promptly went camping for a few days, running my old 40L Engel. When I left and when we arrived at camp, the SC80 was showing that both batteries were fully charged (5 red flashes). By the next morning they were at 50-60% (2 flashes), but I was reading 11.90v from the cranking battery and 12.14v from the auxiliary. When I went to start it the starter turned slowly but not enough to start the car and quickly ran out of puff. Fortunately, by disconnecting the auxiliary and putting the jumper leads across from it I was able to start the car.

Then we went for a drive of about 2hr, maybe 2.5hrs, and when we got back the SC80 suggested the batteries were 60-70% full. I unplugged the fridge overnight and in the morning the main battery was at something like 12.2v and the auxiliary was at 11.9v or so. The car started fine and we went for another drive to get some charge into them, for a similar amount of time. The results were the same as the day before. Fridge unplugged overnight.

Then we drove home the long way, exploring as we went. Fridge on the whole way, stopping maybe 3 times. 5hrs driving at least. When we got home the SC80 was saying 50-60% charged, the main battery was reading 12.5v and the auxiliary 11.9v. Checking the next day, the SC80 was off.

I get 13.9v from the main battery at engine idle.

So I'm wondering what's going on. Why did my main battery go flat on that first night? Was it because the system had just been installed and the batteries were working out their respective charges? And why don't they seem to be charging well? I would have thought that 5hrs driving would have them both topped right up. Is my fridge drawing massive amounts of power? I would've thought I'd at least get a night out of it from a fully charged battery.

I'm keen to nut this out. Ta

[drivesafe]

Hi Poida4x4, can you tell me how much driving you did in the months before you did your trip?

From what you have posted, and the fact your battery capacities improved slightly on your trip, my guess is both batteries are in pour condition.

These days, this is a very common problem and some simple maintenance charging may be all that is needed to bring them back to good health.

Also, what device were you using to measure the voltages?

[Poida4x4]

Thanks Tim

The vehicle does sit for days at a time, and had two weeks off over Christmas/NY. I'll often drive it on weekends, sometimes for errands, sometimes for adventures. We did a 2 week trip in it back in November but not with the fridge running.

The auxiliary battery is brand new. We spoke on the phone when I bought it about the merits of fitting a new main battery at the same time, and whether having a same or similar battery as the main battery was worthwhile. The suggestion was that if the main battery was working fine, then leave it for now. I don't really know its history beyond knowing it's more than 2yrs old.

When we left home and arrived at camp the SC80 was flashing red 5 times, showing fully charged. It never got beyond 3 red flashes after that. I'm measuring the voltage with a handheld multimeter. I have a Century battery charger I can use if needed

Ta

[drivesafe]

With a bit of luck, all that is needed, as I suggested above, is some battery charge maintenance.

Follow this link and it will explain how to carry out a battery maintenance routine that should see your batteries back in good heath in about a week.

Once on the page, just scroll down to the specific post on maintaining batteries.

On-Line auto electrical info

[Poida4x4]

Thanks, will do

So you think this is related to my main battery being in poor condition?

[drivesafe]

That would be my guess, and try the rejuvenation charging process and see if this improves your batteries.

NOTE, your have nothing to loose by trying the above, and you may save yourself a lot of money by not having to replace batteries years sooner than is necessary.

BTW, I have had this thread on this subject and two phone calls today on the very same subject.

There is not only a Covid plague, there is also a lack of battery maintenance plague going on at the same time, primarily because of covid.