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  • Starting Battery Life?

    Hi,

    When starting the prado now it seems to take a few turns. I've had the car since new June 06 and haven't had any battery problems at all, been quite happy actually. I recently weent camping over easter and ran teh fridge a little longer than usual for 4 days (only a little driving for the four days). This seem to take all the punch out of the battery when starting the car.

    I put the meter on it and it reads 12.9V. There seems to be enough voltage, but my question is why then does it seem to struggle to start the car.

    I realise I'm up for another battery shortly, but I can't help wonder, if I didn't run the fridge so hard the battery would still have heaps of punch to give me maybe another 12 months.

    Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    Cheers,
    [b]Toddy...[/b] [size=1][b]2006 GXL Prado[/b] : Silver : ARB Sahara Bar : EFS Elite Suspension : PolyAirs : Airtec Snorkel : ABR HID Spotlights : AMTS Bashplates : DIY Water tank : DIY Rear Drawers : DIY Fold down Table : GME TX3440 : ARB Dual Battery System : DIY rear sockets : DIY Washer Jet Upgrade : Tekonsha P3 : DIY Rear Diff Breather : radopoint Sticker (no P): Pink MaxTrax (Yes) :
    [b]2010 Jimboomba Maddison Off Road CT[/b] : DIY 12V system : DIY Electric Water Pump :[/size]

  • #2
    Re: Starting Battery Life?

    You could just bung a charger on it overnight to give it a bit of a spruce up?? If it still doesn't inspire confidence then give it the flick.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Starting Battery Life?

      My rule of thumb for the last 25 years, is a battery over three years old "in the tropics" is living on borrowed time.
      Snowy

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Starting Battery Life?

        Clean and check all connections...charge...as above if over three years it may be time for a new one :shock:
        Manata 3" Exhaust, Blisten shocks, King Springs 50 mm lift, Poly Air Bags, Roof Rack, Iron Man Bull Bar, HID 50W LightForce XGT spotties, Daul Batteries, GME TX3440 & AE4705 ant, Upgraded window washer, Bonnet Scoop, Tunit chip, bonnet protector, headlight protector, Cooper STT's, ScangaugeII, Dash Mat, Endless Air, Stebel Nautilus, Diff Breathers, Water Sedimentor. ([b]Camprite TL8s [/b] Arrived ALIVE~!)

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Starting Battery Life?

          You can also check cranking voltage. Might read ok with static test but voltage could drop to much when cranking. Cranking voltage shouldn't drop below 10v aprox.
          2004 GXL V6 and loving it.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Starting Battery Life?

            Hi toddy, 4 years for a starting battery is not bad these days but taking cranking battery down to a low State of Charge is not a good move.

            You can discharge a cranking type battery down to 30% SoC ( 11.75v ) without harming it, but much below that and even a new battery can be damaged, so do you have any idea just how low you discharged the battery.

            As suggested above, try putting a charger on it and if possible, use a low current, as this will have a better effect at fully recharging the battery.

            Once charged, turn your headlights on and measure the voltage at the battery terminals.

            Leave the headlights on for about 5 minutes and measure the voltage again.

            A fully charged battery will have a voltage reading of no higher than 12.75 to 12.8v Max.

            So if you measure the voltage and the first reading is around 12.7v and the second is no less than 12.6+v then your battery may not be in too bad a shape, but if the voltage drops off more than a volt, your battery is probably on it’s last legs.

            The best and safest test is a load test carried out at a battery centre or auto electricians and the test should be free.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Starting Battery Life?

              My experience is they normally last about a week or two when the car comes out of warranty!!!
              [b]2013 GXL LC200 TTV8[/b]
              TJM Alloy Bullbar
              Towing a Jayco Expanda 17.56-2OB

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Starting Battery Life?

                Thanks all for your replies, much appreciated.

                Seththecursed - the cranking voltage dropped to about 9.05V so by your workings it is pretty much gone.

                Drivesafe - didn't have any meter with me camping so wasn't able to check it at its worst. Might try a load test at a battery place, it still turns over but the wifey isn't too keen on getting stuck anywhere!!! :wink:

                Picked up a battery on sale at auto one, brought it home and looked at changing it today then realised battery terminals are opposite on the battery to the original and the cables don't reach :?

                Cheers,
                [b]Toddy...[/b] [size=1][b]2006 GXL Prado[/b] : Silver : ARB Sahara Bar : EFS Elite Suspension : PolyAirs : Airtec Snorkel : ABR HID Spotlights : AMTS Bashplates : DIY Water tank : DIY Rear Drawers : DIY Fold down Table : GME TX3440 : ARB Dual Battery System : DIY rear sockets : DIY Washer Jet Upgrade : Tekonsha P3 : DIY Rear Diff Breather : radopoint Sticker (no P): Pink MaxTrax (Yes) :
                [b]2010 Jimboomba Maddison Off Road CT[/b] : DIY 12V system : DIY Electric Water Pump :[/size]

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Starting Battery Life?

                  Originally posted by Hubble80
                  My experience is they normally last about a week or two when the car comes out of warranty!!!

                  Ain't that the truth, on one of the business prado's it kill the cranker and stuff the second battery as well as our dual battery system doesn't tell you if it dies it just starts off the second battery. you need to check it regularly to know. DOH $500 bucks later two new battery's.
                  [b]Rob[/b]

                  [b]2016 Toyota Hilux SR5 D4D Auto Company Cruiser... [/b].
                  [url=http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?23866-Hutch-s-2012-150-GXL-V6-petrol-Auto]Hutch's 2012 Build up[/url]
                  [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Starting Battery Life?

                    Originally posted by toddy
                    Hi,

                    When starting the prado now it seems to take a few turns. I've had the car since new June 06 and haven't had any battery problems at all, been quite happy actually. I recently weent camping over easter and ran teh fridge a little longer than usual for 4 days (only a little driving for the four days). This seem to take all the punch out of the battery when starting the car.

                    I put the meter on it and it reads 12.9V. There seems to be enough voltage, but my question is why then does it seem to struggle to start the car.

                    I realise I'm up for another battery shortly, but I can't help wonder, if I didn't run the fridge so hard the battery would still have heaps of punch to give me maybe another 12 months.

                    Any help would be greatly appreciated.

                    Cheers,

                    From reading the above post I take it the fridge was connected to the original battery supplied in the car by Toyota in 2006 with no aux battery. Is this correct. The reason I am asking is that we are going away soon with a heap of overnight stops with no facilities and a two night stop with 240V power and a 2 night stop at an unpowered area. My aux battery I had is stuffed and I am reluctant to buy another so I was wondering if the standard battery will handle the fridge on overnight stops and still start the car the next day. Any thoughts anyone.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Starting Battery Life?

                      MDS69,

                      We have survived a 4 day trip to the tip last year and many 2-3 day camping trips off the original battery powering a 40L Autofridge Eutectic. This Easter I ran the fridge too hard for 3 days with only a short drive during that time, so not much recharge. By running hard i mean 2-3 hours in the morning and around 4 hours in the arvo and night as it was pretty warm in Rollingstone at Easter.

                      No I don't have an aux battery, but I will next week

                      Hope this helps
                      Cheers,
                      [b]Toddy...[/b] [size=1][b]2006 GXL Prado[/b] : Silver : ARB Sahara Bar : EFS Elite Suspension : PolyAirs : Airtec Snorkel : ABR HID Spotlights : AMTS Bashplates : DIY Water tank : DIY Rear Drawers : DIY Fold down Table : GME TX3440 : ARB Dual Battery System : DIY rear sockets : DIY Washer Jet Upgrade : Tekonsha P3 : DIY Rear Diff Breather : radopoint Sticker (no P): Pink MaxTrax (Yes) :
                      [b]2010 Jimboomba Maddison Off Road CT[/b] : DIY 12V system : DIY Electric Water Pump :[/size]

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Starting Battery Life?

                        Originally posted by MDS69
                        From reading the above post I take it the fridge was connected to the original battery supplied in the car by Toyota in 2006 with no aux battery. Is this correct. The reason I am asking is that we are going away soon with a heap of overnight stops with no facilities and a two night stop with 240V power and a 2 night stop at an unpowered area. My aux battery I had is stuffed and I am reluctant to buy another so I was wondering if the standard battery will handle the fridge on overnight stops and still start the car the next day. Any thoughts anyone.
                        In these cooler months, I'm sure you you can get away with only your starter battery, though you'll need to be a little careful.

                        At the 2009 PP GTG, I used my starter battery to power the fridge for 28 days, with no dramas 8) . Though, I could only get away with that because the overnight temps were very low, which meant I could leave the fridge off o'nite. After the days driving, I'd leave the car on accessories to keep the fridge powered. At bed time, I'd switch it all off. Occasionally, at the campground (usually as I started preparing dinner) I'd fire up the engine for 20 minutes or so as an extra precaution. The key to this was remembering to switch it off at bedtime to avoid draining the starter battery.

                        I've been using this technique for the past year (I stayed at powered sites during warmer months). Then a couple of weeks ago, I forgot to turn the ignition off and the fridge ran o'nite, powered only by the starter :shock:. When I woke in the morning, I was sure I'd have a dead battery. Fortunately, the car started first time... Nonetheless, that was enough of a fright that I decided to lash out on the aux battery... it helped that I had a birthday to help convince the minister of finance that now was the time.

                        Coincidentally, I installed the tray and battery just today. The wiring and isolator will hopefully go in during the week. I may save a few dollars on the isolator at this weeks Caravan/Camping/4WD show in Brisvegas.

                        Cheers,
                        LFaR.
                        [size=1][color=#770000]29Feb12:[/color][color=#777700]12GXLTD Auto, ARB Deluxe Winch bar, WARN 9.5xp Winch, IPF 900XS, Tow, Safari snorkel, Front + Rear Recovery points, ARB OME NC Sports, ATZ-4Rib[/color][color=grey], Silver[/color]. [color=orange][b]MaxTrax[/b][/color], [color=maroon]ScanGuage II[/color], [color=blue]ARB CKMA12[/color], [color=deeppink]UHF: GME TX3440 AE4018K1 UNH047SX[/color], [color=darkgreen]Bushranger Air Jack[/color], [color=green]Staun + ARB Deflators[/color], [color=brown]WindCheetah Roof Rack[/color], [color=green]Foxwing[/color], [color=red]Super Charge MRV70, Redarc BCDC1220[/color], [color=darkblue]ARB 60L fridge[/color], [color=blue]MSA Fridge Dropdown slide[/color], [color=darkyellow]DRIFTA Drawers[/color], [color=gold]TJM Bash Plates[/color], [color=brown]TG150[/color].[/size]

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Starting Battery Life?

                          Overnight stops will be fine just turn the fridge off before you go to bed. If the temp is below about 17 at night the fridge will hold temp for about 9 hours maybe moving only a degree or 2. Also dont forget to turn the radio and all interior lights off when you are leaving the fridge running.

                          Im not sure if it will work but you may want to take your spare key and try and lock the car via the actual door locks with that as i think your main key will have to stay in the ignition to run the fridge. Just thinking of security

                          Another tip i got which i use even though i have duel batteries is even if i am towing on the blacktop i leave my corflute rear window stone guard on as it stops the sun coming in the rear window as i found the fridge actually works the hardest when you are stopped and have the aircon not running as the temp in the car can go from 20 to 40 in about half an hour.

                          Oh and in the morning crank the car first and then plug the fridge back in so your battery can get a bit of life back in it first
                          Dont list all ya mods, you will only be more upset when i get further

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Starting Battery Life?

                            3.5 years and still going strong. As I have a new aux baterry I'm going to let it fail and test the redarc out. If it's your only battery change it before 4 years or at first sign of weakness is my advice
                            Best Regards
                            Charlie

                            I'm not lazy........I am tremendously efficient!

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Starting Battery Life?

                              Well wouldn't you know it, had the dual battery put in on a thursday, went camping and the starting battery died on the monday morning before coming home.

                              Bring on the bypass switch Started up easy as...

                              Called up RACQ when we got home and for $200 had the starting battery replaced with a better battery and the old one taken away. He even attaches a 12V aux batt to the terminals so you don't lose any radio settings and electric windows are fine then.
                              [b]Toddy...[/b] [size=1][b]2006 GXL Prado[/b] : Silver : ARB Sahara Bar : EFS Elite Suspension : PolyAirs : Airtec Snorkel : ABR HID Spotlights : AMTS Bashplates : DIY Water tank : DIY Rear Drawers : DIY Fold down Table : GME TX3440 : ARB Dual Battery System : DIY rear sockets : DIY Washer Jet Upgrade : Tekonsha P3 : DIY Rear Diff Breather : radopoint Sticker (no P): Pink MaxTrax (Yes) :
                              [b]2010 Jimboomba Maddison Off Road CT[/b] : DIY 12V system : DIY Electric Water Pump :[/size]

                              Comment

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