Is my battery goosed?

thecremeegg

Active member
 North Hampshire
So as a follow on from my other thread where my rear light cluster failed, today I wired up the new one and jump started the car as it's been sat for 5 weeks and flat as a pancake.

Started with the usually lumpy idle but I took it out and it drove fine.....until I got about 3 miles away and I lost all power steering and got 4 yellow lights on the dash. Limped it home (man it's hard with no PAS!) and turned it off. Turned it back on and the steering is working fine.

I know completely discharging car batteries is bad for them so does this seem like mine might be done for? Never had a PAS issue before so thinking it's a bit too much of a coincidence? Annoying as the battery was new 2 years ago!

Any advice appreciated!

Thanks
 
Hi, when a battery is completely discharged it’s never going to be 100% afterwards, can you disconnect it to slow the rate of discharge? Is there a possibility of connecting a smart charger to keep it charged up?
I’d be buying a replacement battery I think :?
Rob
 
I could disconnect but it's not worth it, if it's screwed I'll get a new one later this week. I don't have a smart charger no, just the trusty ole jump leads!
 
Your battery will be pooped now., and get yourself a battery conditioner otherwise in 5 weeks time guess what....
Use it or lose it.
 
road warrior said:
Your battery will be pooped now., and get yourself a battery conditioner otherwise in 5 weeks time guess what....
Use it or lose it.

It'll be getting used daily, it was only off the road as I've been waiting on a part and then been on holiday so won't need a conditioner. As for the alternator, can't see that being a problem as I'd expect the battery light to come on etc?
 
Nah , but putting a meter on won't harm either.. But as you say 5 weeks will kill any battery... I put a small 10 Watt solar panel on my motorhome when stored, saves all the pain.
 
road warrior said:
Nah , but putting a meter on won't harm either.. But as you say 5 weeks will kill any battery... I put a small 10 Watt solar panel on my motorhome when stored, saves all the pain.

Apologies to the OP for going slightly off topic, but I had a new battery in my Z4 in December 2017. But when I used it today it only just started, and it had only sat for a week.

So "road warrior" could you tell me what solar charger you use, and how you rate it? I think I need to invest in one! Cheers. :thumbsup:
 
plenty to choose from, but 30 seconds on ebay found this
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-Portable-Epoxy-10W-Solar-Panel-Battery-Charger-Motohome-Camping-Tent-Outdoor/222620662032?epid=2199348798&hash=item33d539b910:rk:60:pf:0&checksum=2226206620321bee0d22635d4439b114d46d61e3c188&enc=AQADAAAC8BkojIFHYtWT%2BANpG6F7t2EoisjDhb9MoZxtdeg%2FRn%2Fl0CR%2BafHIY%2FRkps8lXcX9ZukTj6%2B9g8%2FMskDxtHKwf%2ByXD5nQqozTuQxTLi1PIPYyYrKaSYVud2zab5mMEWvLpdRda7ZZCDQAI1W3ZTN0Elh1G3uKrQZUiUS7I0dxf2E8vpTm8a5EUBMTFu%2BwNgq0EnTnycNNNi81C9g7eEoFnlawoEy3%2BEY9pnJfvH8PFASAxukPExjRyFlrR9KbcTdgsY%2FBiGMzX%2B8ny22llX%2F4AM%2BDfSRCAhIQBq%2FJQNsAIsGOCv0voBTrtXST2WeN7K%2Fa2TQ%2Flyd0mIstC2QgEwjGsrXOnb5G%2Bk3aypPTQQX%2BUNFfYX6Yo8YN3LlhGOsaVtkiFi1c9xzzXQTnr%2BRss7LOarNNfiKPYyp8KtfsqEywRehBNUCDbmNjHtFQqOloGMLk3r33dMDj4mL75PRGm21Rc6GNDyE0eDWHOyHEIx329uCzymeH8MxaqrG1OSpvNi2%2BVNEeeLtEt0p2TUPkhfYTV23jFnClSNuOH7Q5q9%2FFwx226NK%2FtEd2BI9rZR6NvphcVAkJdOFjOqNB31t4%2B6nagSBWsPyNkOonEsE7MJiNHuhPhhDw%2BGtRxqP13JvVLtHSpF%2FQQDfQTxUcb%2B%2Bq81AtA%2FSWEufzMs%2FwnxsZuJjfZ7pqov3qSFQc8jwyQ9YxbPNrGRfaDRrLGfZrBPsPhWf5AddVgocDD6yFlFlI01mjwkKyiVAR%2BYSrepDIYtfFQv4OA%2BOCgl70jn%2FQXhPqLQm7wVCW3sv0fh1OGj7zGgG7dcERNQsQ29NCS0aT1WgA2XceraFBXxYVMvqLp0CQBf4oh8QdxXkQYJmWjxFssWzcvv9ZvMh6e3hmwFfbAzBRo1B9GuCkXpUwGmAfcVT5zgp44rB2qDOT9wJtnjNSTPoutFyOP25UuObWLQzm3kLxWqWIFgDkrfzScuj7zKLEmGRIswMLkJKEK1rxSVGNahHJ20i3
 
Thanks - I was kind of hoping for a recommendation of one that someone has used, but for £20 it's worth a punt anyway!
 
dont worry, they work, been using various versions for years :thumbsup:
i have a 25w on the front van battery and a 50w which i take and use when wild camping off grid.
so a baby battery like the z4 is easy. the small solar panels all include a 12v converter and you can leave it connected 24/7 continually., just make sure you remove it before fire up the engine. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
 
OK, thanks. :thumbsup:

Time for more internet spending - I think I might get a jump pack too, just in case!

After all you can never have too many gadgets. :lol:
 
Oh it gets kept busy - do 15k a year just on business miles in it! That said, I'm getting a company car soon so it may sadly be moved on
 
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