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ChrisCM

Member Since: 10 Jun 2013
Location: Cornwall uk
Posts: 572

2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Santorini Black

Dead Battery - now resuscitated

Yesterday, the day after we got back from our Spanish Trip, I went to start my 110 SW which had been sitting for 5 weeks. The battery, which is a Bosch, about 18 months old, was completely dead. Checked it with a voltmeter it was showing 1.5v!.

I connected the C-Tek charger but it wouldn't even start to charge,probably because the battery voltage was too low, so I connected SWMBOS 90 with jump leads and let the engine run for about 15min I was then able to start the 110, left it running for 1/2 an hour. Then switched off and connected the C-Tek, it started to charge, I left it on overnight and it fully charged the battery so hopefully all is well and the battery wasn't completely knackered.

I've taken the 110 for a 15 mile run today with a couple of stops, no problems starting.

The only thing I have connected permanently, other than the LR alarm system and radio back up, is a tracker.

Any views on this, would I be better disconnecting the battery completely if I'm away for several weeks?

As an aside I have small tractor and if I leave the battery connected on that it will not over winter but disconnected at the end of the season then reconnected in the spring it's fine, so obviously a parasitic drain there as well but no idea what that it can be either. 2010 Defender 110 Station Wagon, Santorini Black.

2nd Sep 2017 12:51pm

ibexman

Member Since: 13 Dec 2008
Location: Essex
Posts: 2945

I left my defender 4 months while in Ireland and it still started 😳

2nd Sep 2017 1:14pm

Balvaig

Member Since: 19 Feb 2016
Location: Fife
Posts: 729

2016 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 Landmark LE Corris Grey

The alarm system and tracker are your culprits. I always leave mine connected to the CTEK if not used for over a week. Keeps the battery in good shape.
Hope you haven't ruined the battery.

2nd Sep 2017 8:08pm

ChrisCM

Member Since: 10 Jun 2013
Location: Cornwall uk
Posts: 572

"Hope you haven't ruined the battery."

So do I, another £100 I don't want to spend! I'll be keeping a close eye on it over the next few weeks.

Chris 2010 Defender 110 Station Wagon, Santorini Black.

2nd Sep 2017 10:43pm

giles

Member Since: 21 Jan 2013
Location: 81600
Posts: 9

Hi,
I dunno which charger exactly you have, but if it has a 'Supply' setting you can use that to bring the batt voltage up high enough to then be able to switch to 'Charge'... at least I can...

4th Sep 2017 12:14pm

ChrisCM

Member Since: 10 Jun 2013
Location: Cornwall uk
Posts: 572

I've got an MXS 5.0, not a very high output charger, but it will charge within 24 hours and then maintain. It's got no Supply setting hence having to jump start to get the voltage up. 2010 Defender 110 Station Wagon, Santorini Black.

4th Sep 2017 2:19pm

Procta

Member Since: 03 Dec 2016
Location: Sunderland
Posts: 5144

If you are going to be away for a bit, its best to disconnect the battery. Just to save it from been drained or put it on a trickle charge as mentioned. Like what you would do with a classic car.
I bought a cheap little battery cut off from Ebay for the rover metro, As I used to only use that car a few times, so the car spent most of its time powered off. Defender TD5 90 ---/--- Peugeot 306 HDI hatch back

Success is 90% Inspiration and 4 minutes Preparation # you can make it!

9th Sep 2017 9:10pm

ChrisCM

Member Since: 10 Jun 2013
Location: Cornwall uk
Posts: 572

Hi Procta,

Yes, that's the plan from now on, the C-Tek is going to be busy!

[/quote] 2010 Defender 110 Station Wagon, Santorini Black.

10th Sep 2017 8:07am

Balvaig

Member Since: 19 Feb 2016
Location: Fife
Posts: 729

CTEK do a range of fittings for a more permanent connection. I used a "CTEK CTE-56382 Comfort Indicator with 8mm Eyelet Adaptors". This fits onto the battery and the indicator gives you the state of charge of the battery using coloured LED's.
I routed it through the seat box using an existing hole and it sits in front of the passenger seat ready for connection to the CTEK unit.

10th Sep 2017 8:47am

Baz8046

Member Since: 08 Feb 2016
Location: Chatham
Posts: 81

The Ctek indicator will fit in a Td5 dash if you don't have electric windows.
Saves having to get to the battery when it needs a charge.

Click image to enlarge Defender Td5 Commercial 2002
Range Rover L322 TDV8 Westminster 2012
Discovery 4 SDV6 Landmark 2016

Last edited by Baz8046 on 10th Sep 2017 12:19pm. Edited 1 time in total

10th Sep 2017 10:14am

ericvv

Member Since: 02 Jun 2011
Location: Near the Jet d'Eau
Posts: 5816

2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black

12S towing electrics plug + Martin's connector. Simples.

Eric You never actually own a Defender. You merely look after it for the next generation.
http://youtu.be/yVRlSsJwD0o
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GtzTT9Pdl0
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAsz_ilQYU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tMHiX9lSw
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dxwjPuHIV7I
https://vimeo.com/201482507
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSixqL0iyHw

10th Sep 2017 10:26am

ChrisCM

Member Since: 10 Jun 2013
Location: Cornwall uk
Posts: 572

This what I currently use, I have a 50A Anderson connector on a fly lead connected to the battery via a 50A midi fuse that I use for my compressor etc. I've made up a 50-30A Anderson connector adapter and cut the ring terminals off the C-Tek lead and replaced it with a 30A Anderson plug, this gives a quick and simple connection without having to access the battery.

Click image to enlarge

But, I also have one of the comfort connectors just haven't figured out where to mount it. Also, what about the constant current drain from the LEDs?

Click image to enlarge 2010 Defender 110 Station Wagon, Santorini Black.

10th Sep 2017 11:10am

Pickles

Member Since: 26 May 2013
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3781

2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Keswick Green

So, a question for you guys.
When you are charging your battery with a Ctek, and you have a "quick connect" connection outside the battery box, you don't open the seat box, don't worry about the battery being charged in an enclosed space etc?
Pickles.

10th Sep 2017 10:22pm

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17330

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey

Assuming it is the original battery, it is vented underneath the seatbox.

10th Sep 2017 10:40pm

Balvaig

Member Since: 19 Feb 2016
Location: Fife
Posts: 729

The battery is charging in an enclosed space every time you start and drive the car. The CTEK is not a rapid charger, and as Blackwolf says the battery is / should be vented anyway.

11th Sep 2017 7:14am

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