Tazz070299

Tazz070299

New Member
I think my battery is on its way out.

I have an 04 TD5 110 and believe the battery is original. Whilst it starts the vehicle OK if it's been left for only a couple of days, I recently went away for a couple of weeks and when I got home the battery wouldn't turn the engine over.

I also noticed recently that after working on the Land Rover for about 3 hours (bodywork) with the radio playing, the battery struggled to turn over the engine.

With winter approaching I don't want to be left having to panic buy (i.e. Halfrauds) because it won't start. So what make and type of battery would you recommend?

Finally, before I go out and spill my hard earned cash, is there a way I can confirm it's the battery, and not for example the alternator or battery drain, with some thing like a multi-meter? I ask because it seems Land Rovers are prone to battery drain issues.


tazz
 
You can help to protect the battery by insulating the box under the seat using foam

As to the other problems about drain from alternator I have no idea, I don't dabble in electrics
 
To carry out a battery drain test with a multi meter, you need one with an amp scale(usually about 10A).
First of all make sure you select the amp socket on the multi meter(it usually has the amp rating in brackets and is fused).
Once you have the leads on the amp setting and also have the meter turned onto the amp setting you need to disconnect the battery(baring in mind radio codes) there is a way to disconnect the battery without losing power to the vehicle providing you have a set of jump leads and another battery, let me know if you need to know this.

OK, battery disconnected(neg terminal) put one multi meter lead on the battery terminal and the other on the terminal connector(making sure the keys are out etc as you want minimal load on the battery as you will proberly have 10A max to play with.

With the meter turned on observe the reading, for the first few mins I'd pretty much disregard what it says, after approx 30 mins the reading should be around 50mA (0.05 on meter) make sure the door etc are closed and keys out, anything upto 70mA (0.07) is acceptable, any more and there is a drain, if so let me know and I'll talk you through finding it rather than spend ages typing info you don't need!
 
I have a numax something or other in mine. Seems ok, although I've only had the landy it just under a year so maybe too early to write reviews on it.

I do like the write ups on those optima yellow tops though. I still need to get a second battery to split charge mine, so was thinking of one of them. They are expensive though, so it won't be that soon. it says they are good for both cranking and deep cycle.

I would do the drain test like as above though, just in case your battery is fine.

Whatever you do, don't crank it through the amp meter though.
 
Last edited:
i go to the tyre place a mile down the road and get the biggest battery theyve got that fits in the hole...
 
7 years for a battery in a modern car? That's pretty good going. I'm lucky to get 3 years in the wife's Subaru with all the drain on it. Get the biggest one that will fit. I've never had a problem with batteries from Halfords, they seem to keep them cycled around fairly quickly. I've had really bad experiences with cheap batteries from motor factors - I think they let them discharge too far before recharging.
 
oxides said:
7 years for a battery in a modern car? That's pretty good going. I'm lucky to get 3 years in the wife's Subaru with all the drain on it. Get the biggest one that will fit. I've never had a problem with batteries from Halfords, they seem to keep them cycled around fairly quickly. I've had really bad experiences with cheap batteries from motor factors - I think they let them discharge too far before recharging.
Click to expand...

I've been using/supplying Halfords batteries for years and yet to come across a failed one (under warranty and due to the battery being the fault), if you know someone with a Halfords trade card ask them to get it as they get a hell of a discount on Halfords own brand batteries.
 
VARTA. Varta IS Bosch under a different name, EXACTLY the same batteries but with different stickers on them. Yes get the biggest that will fit with the best AH etc.
 
Have used both red and yellow top optima battery's for years. never had a problem with them I use the red for cranking and as the car battery the yellow for any auxiliary items.
I have yet to see one fail
 
stchris356 said:
I've been using/supplying Halfords batteries for years and yet to come across a failed one (under warranty and due to the battery being the fault), if you know someone with a Halfords trade card ask them to get it as they get a hell of a discount on Halfords own brand batteries.
Click to expand...

I wanted to avoid Halfords as I had a poor experience with them with the battery for my wife's old Golf. First battery expired one week outside warranty. Its replacement exploded after 3 weeks and they tried to blame me for fitting it incorrectly! until I pointed out that my wife had paid them to install it (for which she was truly bollo**ed) and furthermore it wouldn't have worked for 3 weeks if it had been installed incorrectly.

Their customer service was truly appalling and I'd sooner trust a pikey.

Tazz
 
Optima are expensive but I personally do not think they are all that great I have seen one fail at a winch comp it was punished hard by the winch BUT for the money I think there is better value out there.

Numax from Car Battery - Car Batteries - Motorcycle Batteries - Leisure Batteries - Cheap Prices!.

I have twin setup fitted and have proven themselves in 6 motors I know of and not one problem at all so far. Mine must have been fitted nearly 2 years others 3 or 4 years.
 
Avoid Optima's at all costs - you will pay twice the amount and get half the battery. They are only that expensive because of all the money they spend duping idiots to buy their product through very expensive advertising.
 
Like I say I've seen optima and it didn't impress me much at all especially when it was struggling to start a 200tdi. First flick mine started the other 90 was just about turning over just. Ok checked his voltsge 12.8 volts. Ok seems good maybe bad earth jump lead to the engine earth point same story ok jump lead to starter and earth lead by now not able to turn over. Ok thinking his starter is naffed we whacked his optima bollix onto my battery. Last effort before we tow start it. His mota spun over started as it should. Next day he junked the optima and got a numax been fine ever since.
 
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