Willem82 said:

i'm wondering whether one of those solar panel things is enough to keep the battery from draining. do you have any idea how much current it produces?

As for the maintenance charger, I dont really want a lead running to the car from the house. but its a hell of a lot cheaper!

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Willem82 said:

Hi Guys,

I have purchased a P38 2.5 DSE and will be using it once or twice a week.
Sadly it seems to drain itself to the point where it wont start within a couple of days, so its no good if i don't use it in the week, but need it at the weekend!!
I got the volt meter out and it was at 11.5v or so after two days and it wouldn't crank, which is only only 1v dropped from what it's at fully charged. I managed to jump start it, i think the extra charge from the regular 12v battery in my MX5 track car is ok when its only dropped a V or two, but if it's been left for two weeks i'm sure that just won't do it with the diesel needing 900A and the MX5 battery being 480A!

So, I've already found a guide on how to check if the BeCM is going to sleep etc. the remote locking aerial is already disconnected, but it has an aftermarket stereo, so i'm suspecting thats may be the cause. However, before i have time to investigate i need to use thing!!!!

I'm also thinking if its not the stereo then i've got a whole lot of trial and error work to do, which is time consuming and which i just can't be bothered with at the moment.



So i'm thinking there may be a temporary solution, one of these jump start kits:
RS125 RoadStart® Emergency Power Pack 12/24V 3000/1500 Peak Amps: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

What are your guys' thought on these, i'm thinking the RS125 with 3000/1500 amps will be more than enough for the diesel even if the battery is fully drained.

I prefer it to a spare battery and jump leads as it can be mains charged and also stored in the back of the car on trips without worrying about it too much

Anyone got experience with these things?

Cheers!

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tomcat59alan said:

Aldi,as from yesterday maintenance charger about£13. I have used one for years. solar panels are available in various outputs

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Datatek said:

First off, jump starting the P38 is a dangerous game, it may lose sync so it will not start or you may damage ECU's.
secondly, 11 volts is a completely discharged battery, 12.8 volts is fully charged, not a lot of voltage difference between full and empty. the battery may have a duff cell.
You can isolate battery drain simply by pulling fuses one at a time. You say you have the guide the check if the BECM is going to sleep but you do not say if it is. A duff RF receiver may keep it awake even with the aerial disconnected. A duff alternator will also drain the battery.
Best get a maintenance battery charger.

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gfromleeds said:

Are those solar ones worth anything in these situations?
ive got one in the caravan that keeps it toped up but I only ever go in there once a blue moon and use the lights for a few minutes at a time so not much drain

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Willem82 said:

So, ran out of juice in Tesco car park on Friday! But made it there to start with!

It started without a problem, albeit a bit slowly after being sat still for two days. Low on voltage, it was at about 12.2v. BUT it started!

Decided to get me one of those solar power charges, a 6A jobbie. Not used it in anger yet because the cigarette sockets in the front are only on when the ignition is on... so need to run the wires to the battery, pain in the ass, was hoping to keep it on the dash, looks like i need a plan B there.

Anyway, i bought the solar charger from Argos, parked up got the charger, got back in the RR and fired up the engine, no problems, fired quicker than she did when i left home.

Then I decided to go to Tesco and pick up some bits and bobs there, parked up, went in, shopped, came out again, turned the key, chug chug chug c'mon baby... no, no dice.
Had to call the RAC...
Bit of luck, the guy was nearby, and even though I was told an hour and 15 on the phone by the RAC, the local guy turned up in 15 mins,phew!

Turns out the battery in the RR is only 590CCA 70Ah, and when the recovery guy did a battery test on it, it's only got 360a left in it!! The "starter test" only got 7v out of it!!!!

WHAAAAAT!!!! this is "supposed" to be a new battery, my arse!

Anyway, new battery ordered, a lovely juicy Alphaline 130Ah 1000CCA (linky)

So, will see how that goes, as there's always a drain on the battery i might still find a way to plug in that solar charger, or i might bring it back.

Maybe the battery will be a permanent solution!!!!!

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