Battery drain on a W203 220CDI

[Theo Cupier]

I've been caught out by a flat battery on my 02 plate 220CDI Sport coupe on a couple of occasions.

I've been trying to keep it topped up with a trickle charger, but it still catches me out on occasion.

I should probably get on and get a new battery fitted to the car (I think it's still running on the original battery). But before I do, I wanted to check something with you experts:

I'm using the car a lot less now than I have been for the past while. Some weeks it maybe only does a couple of miles (to the supermarket & back) and it can sit for several days between any activity at all. Whereas it used to get quite frequent long runs (100 miles+), it's often not getting taken out for long journeys for several weeks and long journeys now mean 10 miles, not 100.

Am I going to find that a new battery quickly runs itself down because I'm using the car so little? In which case, might I be as well carrying on with the old battery and trickle charger until my usage increases again?

Thanks in advance

 

[BlackC55]

You need to test the current drain.

You shold get no more than 0.06A when locked and the car is alowed to "go to sleep" for 20 -30 mins.

It may be prudent to get the battery and alternator tested too.

 

[Theo Cupier]

Forgive my stupidity, BlackC55, but what will I learn from this test?

Is it intended to show whether I have a problem with the car that is causing the battery problem?

I had assumed that a 6 year old car on its original battery was probably due a change anyway. Is that not the case?

Thanks for your input, I'm just trying to make sure I understand the whats & whys (in my non-mechanical brain, at least!)

 

[television]

This weather and old batteries do not mix,,go to a Bosch service center where they can test your battery, if its still OK the then do as BlackC55 says above

 

[Theo Cupier]

Forgive my stupidity, BlackC55, but what will I learn from this test?

Is it intended to show whether I have a problem with the car that is causing the battery problem?

I had assumed that a 6 year old car on its original battery was probably due a change anyway. Is that not the case?

Thanks for your input, I'm just trying to make sure I understand the whats & whys (in my non-mechanical brain, at least!)

Sorry to bump this, but can someone give me an idiot guide to what the current drain test will show.

Thanks

 

[television]

When the car has gone to sleep, it should draw less then 50ma,,,an ammeter will indicate the current thats flowing after the car has gone to sleep, it it is way over the 50ma,then the cause of the drain must be found or even a new battery would soon discharge

 

[Theo Cupier]

OK. Thanks very much.

So, if my battery drain is "normal" then a new battery shouldn't suffer much, even if the car is being used very little. A higher drain indicates some kind of problem which needs to be addressed before replacing the battery.

Can I draw any inference from the fact that I am having to recharge the battery with a trickle charger every 3-4 weeks on current vehicle usage? Is this likely to indicate an unhealthily high drain? Or is this just what happens to batteries when they are on their last legs (which is what the chap from Green Flag said when the battery first died).

EDIT: Oh and what kit do I need to do this drain test (and how do I do it)?

 

[television]

My Volvo battery at 2 years old is going back under guarantee as if I leave the car for 4-5 days its flat, and used to be good for 3-4 weeks.

You can buy a clamp meter at around £50 to check,,or a simple meter for a £5 but not easy to hook up.

If the battery is 4-5 years old then its worth changing it,,good battery people have good testers,,people like Halfords have a meter that says your old battery is U/S,and another that says the one that you bought from them is good, even when it is faulty

 

[hannay]

... people like Halfords have a meter that says your old battery is U/S,and another that says the one that you bought from them is good, even when it is faulty

... can personally attest to that ... three attempts one time then refunded and went to a specialist.