Van Battery Advice

[tech_guy]

Most men my age - 50 this November - hanker after something a bit sad and go for a sports car to make up for the receding hairline and the increase in girth around the waist. Not me, I've always wanted a van. Something I can throw all my walking gear / bike / kayak in to the back off and get away from the sh!tfest that is edu IT.

 

Anyway, I have said van - a brand new Peugeot Partner 1.6 diesel jobbie purchased in 2012 to also pull the small caravan we have.

 

Great purchase and we have had many enjoyable outings in it since.

 

However, since ownership commenced in 2012 we have only done around 7k in it. We try to use it most weeks, but we've found the infrequent usage has knackered the battery.

 

New battery purchased and we're happy vanners again. I was wondering if it's worth getting one of these to solve the issue:

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/AA-Car-Battery-Solar-Charger/dp/B00AC1LLQY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386278008&sr=8-1&keywords=aa+solar

 

Help and advice much appreciated!

 

Please note that if I'm sounding a bit more chipper as of late considering my recent posts then don't worry its because I've had the best part of half a bottle of JD! Cheers!

[jallsop]

I would say you have a faulty alternator or battery. Diseasel cars don't use half as much juice as petrol cars, and I've got a petrol Subaru Impreza that has only done 9K since i purchased it last november and its kept out side, with temperatures down as low as -25 last winter (check my location) and it was often under 2 foot of snow, yet started like a dream. Most journeys were no more than 15-25km, and maybe only once a fortnight during the winter months. The battery wasn't even new when i bought the car (its a 2007 model).

[rad]

Id say its something else. Take it to Pug and see if it is covered under warranty.

[difinity]

Is there an alarm or immobiliser that is draining the battery ?

Diesels need more power to crank the engine due to a higher compression ratio.

Edited December 6, 2013 by difinity

[Norphy]

I would say you have a faulty alternator or battery. Diseasel cars don't use half as much juice as petrol cars, and I've got a petrol Subaru Impreza that has only done 9K since i purchased it last november and its kept out side, with temperatures down as low as -25 last winter (check my location) and it was often under 2 foot of snow, yet started like a dream. Most journeys were no more than 15-25km, and maybe only once a fortnight during the winter months. The battery wasn't even new when i bought the car (its a 2007 model).

 

Are you sure about that? When I was looking at batteries for my diesel, the diesel batteries were always much bigger than ones for petrol engines with the same engine size.

[jinnantonnixx]

Measure the voltage while the engine is running, should be around 13.7v, dropping to 12.something when off. This shows it's charging, at least.

 

I'm guessing the electronics in the modern vehicle are draining the battery over time, nothing more, so I'd suggest that a solar top-up would be beneficial. I had one for my old camper, and on a sunny day made about 18 - 19v which is ideal to trickle charge the battery.

Edited December 6, 2013 by jinnantonnixx

[pcstru]

Are you sure about that? When I was looking at batteries for my diesel, the diesel batteries were always much bigger than ones for petrol engines with the same engine size.

Right. A diesel can pull a hefty current (~50 amps) from the battery to run the glow-plugs before the battery has to supply more current to crank the engine. I'd say they are much more demanding of a good battery than a petrol.

 

@tech_guy : I'd recommend something like an optimate if your van is unused for long periods. You can fit a plug so it's easier to just plug it in - perhaps a bit more of a pain than the solar unit, but much better for the battery (reliable).

[Sirbendy]

Agreed. I've had my battery randomly flake recently, ever since I installed a new radio - seems it's not shutting down when the car does - it stops outputting to speakers, but the unit keeps playing, with the screen off.

 

I'm not sure I'd blame an electrical issue just yet. Worth going to an auto electrician/garage and asking for a load test/alternator test, but as said..Diesels can strain their battery more on starting.

 

I always carry a jump-pack now..saved my bacon on numerous occasions for £30, as well as providing a 12v source for an inverter on camp trips. Yesterday I came across a couple stuck in a Focus at the petrol station, who flagged me down and asked if they could get a jump as their Focus' battery had flaked at the pump, and they were going to an ante-natal checkup.

 

Whipped out the jump pack, connected it to the Focus, job done..they drove off after many thanks..heh.

[Sirbendy]

In fact, I'm reminded that I have a tri-state LED in the courtesy lamp that continually shows me the battery state - flashing green/solid green/amber/red/flashing red etc.

 

6v, 12v, 24v LED Battery level voltage monitor meter J | eBay

 

That. Means as I drive I can see at a glance what the state of power is, before I even try and crank it. Plus it acts as a mock alarm deterrent.

[Danp]

I would say speak to the dealer first if it's that new.

 

Aside from that, the solar panel that you have linked to are very useful, I had one for a while.

 

Also, as above, a diesel engine does need more power to get them started and also, it is recommended to start diesels with the clutch in.

[Gibbo]

As a PT Pug mechanic I'd say to get it checked out at the dealer.

 

However, if they fob you off with "no fault found" as they usually do because they hook up the diagnostics and if there are no fault codes can't be bothered spending time looking into the problem, then I maintain a network of Peugeot only diagnostics specialists.

 

See if there's anyone on this map close to you:

 

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=214397633218647067111.0004dc947e5c1752ca0a2&msa=0&ll=54.521081,-1.647949&spn=10.175332,28.54248&dg=feature

[laserblazer]

As already mentioned, diesels do need a comparatively bigger battery than petrol because the starter motor has to work harder. I got one of these from Maplin that I put on the school minibus during the holidays and it works.

 

Solar Powered 12V 1.5W Battery Auto Trickle Charger | Maplin