Ythomit Posted September 21, 2013 Share Posted September 21, 2013 I had an alarm/demobaliser fitted to the car. Ever since, anytime I go away or dont drive the car for around 2 weeks, the battery dies. Does this happen with some alarm/demobalisers or is this a faulty installation ? Another horrible side-affect (for the neighbours) is tha during the last 2 hours before the battery dies, the alarm goes off intermittently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TT Paul Posted September 21, 2013 Share Posted September 21, 2013 battery being drained by alarm/led light for alarm etc.. if you leave the car get a trickle charger solar one maybe and a charge controller thats what i got for the winter while not in use Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ythomit Posted September 21, 2013 Author Share Posted September 21, 2013 battery being drained by alarm/led light for alarm etc.. if you leave the car get a trickle charger solar one maybe and a charge controller thats what i got for the winter while not in use Many Thanks. Forgive me for being Stupid, but I assume the charger cant live inside the car. Does that not make it a bit vulnerable.... (I dont have a garage) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TT Paul Posted September 21, 2013 Share Posted September 21, 2013 (edited) you can leave it in the car on the dash or some where it has light shining on so it will then charge it, thats what im doing but get a charge controller to save it cooking the battery cost me around £25 off ebay link for controller just an idea what i got, have 2kw solar panel as well same make plug straight in, or halfrauds etc... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12v-Volt-Solar-Panel-Car-Motorhome-Caravan-Battery-Charge-Controller-A-Life-8Amp-/111136074051?pt=UK_Campervan_Caravan_Accessories&hash=item19e039e943 Edited September 21, 2013 by TT Paul (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ythomit Posted September 21, 2013 Author Share Posted September 21, 2013 Forgive me if I'm a bit dumb, its my Mother's fault... If the Charger is in the car, how do I connect the cables to the battery? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TT Paul Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 plug into cig lighter or run some wires from batt job done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ythomit Posted September 22, 2013 Author Share Posted September 22, 2013 Oh right. I didn't realise you could charge the battery through thr cig lighter. Many thanks. I shall buy the charger and controller as suggested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TT Paul Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 well it provides power so it should be ok, when I fit mine I shall wire it to battery with a inline fuse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ythomit Posted January 29, 2014 Author Share Posted January 29, 2014 (edited) Well that was a disaster. I connected the Solar charger and left it for a week. When I tested it the battery was completely flat. As I needed an MOT at 14:00 today I decided to use a normal charger which I connected at 07:00 on gentle charge after disconnecting the solar charger. At 13:30 I disconnected the charger and reconnected the battery to zip off to get the MOT. Totally dead, no power anywhere. Called the garage and appologised, then reconnected the charger on full power. At 17:00 went to check the battery again. Disconnected the charger and reconnected the battery. The lights came on (Yeehaaa) or so I thought. When I tried to turn them off, they stayed on. I also noticed that it was only the Front lights that came on. That's the end of the story. With the battery connected (irrespective of the ignition key position) The front lights are on permanently and nothing else comes on at all (dashbooard, alarm system, ignition etc.) What the hell has happened Edited January 29, 2014 by Ythomit (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ythomit Posted February 1, 2014 Author Share Posted February 1, 2014 All has become clear. Eventually the main fuse blew. I disconnected the battery and checked the voltage. I was unsure what I was seeing and assumed I had gone mad. My meter showed the battery voltage was -12v (Yes minus 12v) Assuming I was going bonkers or that the meter was faulty, I checked the old battery. It was +7v. I checked the new battery again and it was -12v. The more I thought about it, the more I understood it. IE, the JSpec lighter was connected the wrong way round OR it had been modified by some previous owner for some reason. The amazing thing (to me anyway) is that a battery can be charged the wrong way round It may also explain why the lights were on as they will operate with the current flowing in any direction. I charged the old battery up, connected it and hey presto everything is OK. (Except for the fact that the 125A fuse is currently shorted until I can get a replacement) I will not use the charger through the lighter again ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.