Kia0042 2nd Gear March 11, 2012 Share March 11, 2012 Previous experience on first day of new year, no recovery service at all. So, "gei kiang" ownself jump start and drove to office, took the battery from my company buggy, just wanted to "cham si tong" for 2 days and wait for the workshop to reopen. In the end, damaged the alternator, sighzz. Today Sunday, "seven morning eight morning" thought of going RWS happy happy, remote open door didn't work, so opened the door manually, turned key to start car, it completely silent - Dead, dead again. This round, I don't even dare to do jump start, request towing service at once and tow it to Autobac. Now they should be attending to my car. My question is, why my battery flat so soon, just 14 months ago I changed a brand new battery? Is there a possibility of power "leakage" somewhere? ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soya Supersonic March 11, 2012 Share March 11, 2012 maybe ur battery made by pinoy or indon? coz every sun muz gib off now.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yeobh 4th Gear March 11, 2012 Share March 11, 2012 I hope you didn't cause damage also to yr co buggy battery. If your buggy is an electric powered, the battery or batteries are traction type and need very slow trickle charge. Using the traction battery ( they are not SLI battery ) for starting is not a good idea as such batteries are not designed for such purpose. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kb27 Supersonic March 11, 2012 Share March 11, 2012 My question is, why my battery flat so soon, just 14 months ago I changed a brand new battery? Is there a possibility of power "leakage" somewhere? It's normal. Average battery here dies in less than 2 yrs. The better ones last slightly more than 2 yrs. If there's a leakage, the battery will quickly discharge in a couple of days, not weeks, not months, not years. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurora 1st Gear March 11, 2012 Share March 11, 2012 May I know how do we check for leakage?... Is it possible to isolate the point of leakage? Thanks... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KaKiLang 4th Gear March 11, 2012 Share March 11, 2012 Use wet battery, I got basic ice, this is my 4th yrs still strong. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackyv Turbocharged March 11, 2012 Share March 11, 2012 Maintenance free battery sucks... Wet one much better but nowadays hard to find wet type.. I also worry, mine already 15mths... Anytime.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yeobh 4th Gear March 11, 2012 Share March 11, 2012 There are few ways to check for battery parasite drain. One way is to use a low current dc clamp meter. Another method is a fuse current tester. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kb27 Supersonic March 11, 2012 Share March 11, 2012 May I know how do we check for leakage?... Is it possible to isolate the point of leakage? Thanks... Can be checked in a couple of ways, but you'll need an ammeter. Usually, you can remove the ground wire from the battery and place the ammeter in series between the ground cable and the battery negative terminal. With the ignition switched off and all cabin lights are off, measure the current. If it's more than 75 mA, you have a "leak" somewhere. Alarm will take some current, bcoz it is always on. An easier equipment to use is a DC clampmeter. You can check the leakage current without the need to remove the ground wire. The bigger the "leak", the shorter the time to when the battery will discharge too much and not be able to start the engine. In-car cameras running full time when the engine is switched off is one of the biggest culprit. To isolate the leakage, is to disconnect every suspected device one by one and measure the leakage current. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nzy Twincharged March 11, 2012 Share March 11, 2012 Sometimes also depends on luck. My previous car the battery always last around 3 years only. Current car the battery is in it's 5th year already and the battery still seems good. But then I drive very little. Usually go market on weekend only. So start the car about once or twice a week only. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yeobh 4th Gear March 11, 2012 Share March 11, 2012 With ignition off, use a fuse tester to detect current flow. Very easy ,anyone who has some knowledge on locating fuse box and removing fuse can do the testing. The rule of the thumb - any current draw with ignition off ,normally should not exceed 35milliamp. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kb27 Supersonic March 11, 2012 Share March 11, 2012 Thanks. Fuse current tester seemed like a nice device. It's probably the same as using an ammeter with a modified probe to connect to the fuse. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yeobh 4th Gear March 11, 2012 Share March 11, 2012 It's cumbersome trying to connect DMM in serial to test amp especially when working under the dashboard. Clamp on meter is the most idea but rather expensive for DIY. Fuse tester, it is a very innovative design originating from US and is almost foolproof. For those with quality DMMs they can opt for the test leads set to cut down the cost of purchase. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mcf777 Turbocharged March 11, 2012 Share March 11, 2012 If yr battery is behind the boot, it can last 3-5yrs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kia0042 2nd Gear March 11, 2012 Author Share March 11, 2012 New battery replaced, checked no leakage, everything seems OK, but car still have to "admit" at Autobac for "observation" till 6PM. Possible reasons for short life battery: used my car too often, 2 in-car cameras (front and rear), listen to audio CD more than radio, charge iphone whenever I drive. I have nothing to complaint now and I am prepared, my next battery replacement to be sometimes next year May or June. $? labour charge + $196 new battery cost + $50 towing = at least need to pay $300 today. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vid Hypersonic March 11, 2012 Share March 11, 2012 New battery replaced, checked no leakage, everything seems OK, but car still have to "admit" at Autobac for "observation" till 6PM. Possible reasons for short life battery: used my car too often, 2 in-car cameras (front and rear), listen to audio CD more than radio, charge iphone whenever I drive. I have nothing to complaint now and I am prepared, my next battery replacement to be sometimes next year May or June. $? labour charge + $196 new battery cost + $50 towing = at least need to pay $300 today. All above not a reason for short battery battery. My car is my mini office very often. I have a dvd player, 2 headrests monitors, speakers, amp, sub, digital tv tuner. Also charges my iphone, ipad and run my laptop. Battery now 2 years still ok but I must admit I also fear dead battery so going to change battery on monday. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yeobh 4th Gear March 11, 2012 Share March 11, 2012 Try to get a replacement battery without high amp hr Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neutralsg 5th Gear March 11, 2012 Share March 11, 2012 Previous experience on first day of new year, no recovery service at all. So, "gei kiang" ownself jump start and drove to office, took the battery from my company buggy, just wanted to "cham si tong" for 2 days and wait for the workshop to reopen. In the end, damaged the alternator, sighzz. Today Sunday, "seven morning eight morning" thought of going RWS happy happy, remote open door didn't work, so opened the door manually, turned key to start car, it completely silent - Dead, dead again. This round, I don't even dare to do jump start, request towing service at once and tow it to Autobac. Now they should be attending to my car. My question is, why my battery flat so soon, just 14 months ago I changed a brand new battery? Is there a possibility of power "leakage" somewhere? Few options you can consider to avoid such damage and/or hassle and/or probably less costly and time consuming: a) Join AA who provides battery replacement, free jumpstart and/or free towing b) Contact a bro here DACB for such emergency battery replacement at your doorstep c) Get a jumpstart battery (although I'm unsure if it works for everyone). I got one which worked for me when I had similar breakdown previously. Yeohbh advice is noteworthy as he seems to have an authority on the subject of batteries. Have a nice day! ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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