N

Ndubu

New Member

• Apr 27, 2013

• #1

Hello,

Not sure if I'm posting in the right section and apologies if this has been answered anywhere else. I'm helping my girlfriend's mum with some cosmetic bits on her 1972 Land Rover series 2 and I've constantly got to charge the battery up as it goes flat very quickly as it isn't driven that much.
I guess this could be an alternator problem however I'm no expert. There is a immobiliser on it which could possibly explain a drain over time and it's very rarely driven in it's current state. I was wondering if anyone could tell me if it has the right battery from the look of the sticker on it (see attached picture) Any help would be great.

Cheers,

Nick

 

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robint

Well-Known Member

• Apr 27, 2013

• #2

55ah is a standard size get it checked /tested it could be the constant lack of use destroying the battery

 

N

Ndubu

New Member

• Apr 27, 2013

• #3

Thanks for your response, we'll get it tested and go from there.

 

tacr2man

Well-Known Member

• Apr 27, 2013

• #4

If you have a multimeter , check everything switched off remove a battery lead and test for amps between terminal and end of lead to see if thesre is a current drain , there should not be more than a few miliamps thru immobiliser possibly .
As previous post if being left for long periods will kill battery , think about little solar trickle charger or mains battery conditioner/charger
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Solar-Pow...00730401640?pt=UK_Gadgets&hash=item2ebc76db68
HTSH

 

Last edited: Apr 27, 2013

N

Ndubu

New Member

• Apr 27, 2013

• #5

Thanks for your response, I need to get hold of a multimeter so I'll head to argos or maplin to pick one up then give this a try.

 

Oldseadog

Well-Known Member

• Apr 27, 2013

• #6

When the engine is running you should get a charge at your battery of between 13.8V and 14.4V from your alternator.

 

timtheenchanteruk

Well-Known Member

• Apr 27, 2013

• #7

a battery in good condition should last 3 or 4 weeks without a charge, even with an immobiliser, depend son if it gets charged properly when you do use it tho...
petrol or deisel (the latter needs a lot more juice than the former)

 

N

Ndubu

New Member

• Apr 27, 2013

• #8

Thanks for the further responses, It's petrol and when filling up a measure of red lead additive liquid is added. I've just spoken to my girlfriend's brother who thinks that the addition of the aftermarket stereo may be placing a drain on the battery, I guess this can be checked as well when using the multimeter by disconnecting it and measuring charge with and without? I'm quite the newbie with this and although carrying out basic services on my car I haven't had much experience with electrics. I like the prospect of cutting my teeth with my gf's mum's Landy for developing my understanding of mechanics beyond assisting with the more cosmetic changes.

 

timtheenchanteruk

Well-Known Member

• Apr 27, 2013

• #9

it will be, not much, but enough to drain over time.
easy test, next time you lay it up, diconnect the battery, if it fire up without a problem, its the stereo theres no fix for it, other than fit a battery isolator, or use a small trickle charger either from the mains, or a solar one would replace the charge the stereo takes.
how long is it usually stood for in between times?

 

N

Ndubu

New Member

• Apr 30, 2013

• #10

Apologies for the delayed reply, it's usually stood for up to 2 to 3 weeks at a time which could explain the drain from the Stereo. When I charged it up on the weekend, I charged it completely and after starting it up and taking it for a very quick spin I disconnected the battery immediately. My girlfriend will be reconnecting the battery on the weekend as theoretically the charge should hold and it should start next time without a problem. In the meantime I'm going to purchase a multimeter and carry out the tests next time I'm at my girlfriend's mums place. Thanks again for all of the advice, I'll add my findings on here after I've carried out the tests.