Battery problem?

[salgarfi]

Although I use my camper as my only vehicle, and since I work from home, I don't actually drive it that often during any week. Though once a month I might go on a 6 hour round trip. During a usual week I only drive her for a total of maybe an hour and a half, and this includes a single 1 hour return trip to my nearest town. If I haven't used the van for a few days, it's not unusual for the ignition to be a bit slow. I can turn the key, there would be a brief spark, a slight pause, and then she'd fire up. But just the other day, when it was cold and dank (what a summer!!), she wouldn't turn over at all. No spark. Caput! I called the AA, they got me started immediately with their portable charger/engine starting gizmo, and since they came out from a local garage, I drove the 20 minutes or so to their premises where they tested my battery. The battery had reached a charge of 40% (not surprising since she was dead) and they checked the battery out and all the cells were in good order. They felt the battery was in good order and all I needed to do was drive her a bit more to get the charge up.

However, they did say that it was not uncommon for cars that were used only for short, intermittent journeys, to actually lose more charge in turning the engine over, than would be re-charged by the engine running for the length of the journey, and if these persisted the battery would lose charge, maybe even completely. This supposedly happens to, I was told, older people (hey..., I'm pushing 60!) who only use their cars to go to the local shop etc. Has anyone had any similar experiences? I did say that I used to have a Volvo estate that I used just as intermittently as my camper, and this never happened. So was this a bit of well meant waffle or is it a potential problems with a 21 year old T25?

My camper is an Autosleeper Trident (2.1ltr), 1990, and my Volvo was an 850 (2 ltr) and 19 years old.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Sal

[BOXY]

So was this a bit of well meant waffle or is it a potential problems with a 21 year old T25?

More a problem with the battery and earth connections. If it's struggling to start now it'll only get worse in the winter. If you're only using the van occasionally it might be worth disconnecting the battery to prevent any current drain or investing in a jump starter from Maplins and/or a solar trickle charger.

[salgarfi]

If it's a battery problem, or an earthing problem, how can I know which one it is for sure? The AA chap felt that the battery was quite fine. You're right, I'm worried about the winter, and yes, I have thought of buying a portable jump starter. Also, if there's a drain on the battery, what can it be?

I can't deny that I'm perplexed.

Sal

[Oldiebut goodie]

This is where a 40w solar panel is useful - keeps the batteries in a healthy state.

[salgarfi]

Actually, can anyone suggest a good, portable jump starter at a good price? But I take the point on a solar trickle charger, hmm...?

Sal

[kevtherev]

How old is the battery?... they're past their best after five years.

buy a UK code 096 it's the biggest that fits in the battery box, it has never let me down and my usage is the same as yours.
Fix the problem, don't dodge round it!

[The Mikey]

I has a similar problem with mine, when going to turn over it would be slow and seem to barely jump to life, I got a new battery, it still happened, it had me puzzled for a while, I took it to a vw garage and the chap there changed the starter bush, it fires first time now...unless I've left it for a while but it doesn't have the lazy starting it did...I've also heard of lazy starter motors, similar problem, but the bush sorted mine, I think it was about £10 and the guy was doing other work so add a bit of labour on top...

Hope this has helped and not confused too much

[salgarfi]

Well..., from what you've all said, and from some other threads I've seen about similar issues here and at the Brickyard, the problem can be earthing, starter motor bushes, a battery that could be getting close to the end of its life, amongst other things. So when Honoria goes in for her servicing, I'll all of these things looked into.

Anyway, I'd still like to buy a jump starter gizmo. I see that some can inflate tyres too, so can anyone make any recommendations??

Sal