Varta F19 battery new 2019 , done 20k miles then.

The car often doesnt run for a week or so and therefore I top up the battery with my CTEK charger every now and then. I recently bought a bluetooth battery voltage monitor which should send a notification if the battery voltage is low.

This week I was getting "system shutdown warning in 1 min " warning during starting, although starting itself was unimpaired.

Charged the battery overnight.
Cold start this am. Started Ok but voltage dropped to 7v (off the scale).



Stopped and started again after a 10 minute drive.
Voltage drop not as bad - glow not needed as much.
Repeated when I got home and on the drive. added annotations.



Interesting to see how much the voltage drops just by unlocking the car. I wonder if this 4 year old battery is starting to fail. Any thoughts ? Jules

Just checked my battery via my cigar socket monitor. My Metro was last used Friday (36 hours ago).

Unlocked 12.3v
Brake Pedal 12.2v (before ignition selected)
Start ???
Run 14.9v
Off 13.3v decaying to 12.4v over about a minute

Note before starting I tried starting ignition (with headlights on) 12.1v

I find it hard to tell from voltage readings how well the FL2 will start in reality.

From my experience from using a 'Quickfit' Battery Check, I have not much faith in their Load Test either.

We used to test the voltage across each individual cell, but this seems impossible these days, as normally only one cell goes high or low resistance, thus is easily spotted.

Otherwise it just appears that the FL2 requires a new 12v Battery every 3 to 4 years, otherwise poor starting and intermittent electronic faults result. FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2010 2012-2017 (21k - 91k miles) (MY2011)
FL2 Metropolis SD4 Auto 2014 2017- (16k - 77k+ miles) (MY2015)
Metro in its 11th Year of (Extended) LR Warranty / Full LR Service History
(Expensive, but Trouble/Worry free - hopefully?)

My first thoughts are, 'could be'!
The drop down to 7v would be the indicator.

The one thing you have done that could have a further negative affect is to put the permanently on bluetooth device onto a suspect battery. It might only seem like a little drain but it builds up.

I have a dashcam on both my bikes which might stand for a couple of weeks monitoring for movement and they now let me down regularly! (I know the batteries are smaller but it just goes to show.)

The one thing that was my first indication of my battery failing was the radio. When I would be sat waiting for people with just the radio on, it would shut down with a battery warning.


I bought one of these;
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285505724736?va..._rEALw_wcB

Just for one night I left it plugged in, in the permanently live socket between the seats, so I could see the voltage 'at rest' reading, which has to be before you operate the fob. A good battery should be between 12.7V & 13.1V.

Mine was low. Once changed the radio started to behave itself again.

I've probably not told you anything you don't already know but sometimes it's good to hear it from someone else.

I am only using my FL2 once or twice a month if that. but I keep the CETEK on all the time and do not have any issues, the stop/start always works though I turn it off, battery was new two yrs ago. 2013 FL2 XS.
Defender 90 300 TDi.
Defender 90 300 TDi CSW.
1964 MGB Roadster.
1944 Willys MB "Jeep" with bullet holes. (gone)
17 hand Irish Drought Thoroughbred (mostly lame)
Nagging Old Boiler.

Mahatma Gandhi said if there is an Idiot in power those who elected him are well represented

I'm going to tempt fate now, discussing it!

This is what I put in last time I changed it.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282284011144

If I remember right, it's bigger than standard but I managed to shoe horn it in.
It's been in 6yrs this month.

My last two have just about gone 4 years, all good makes and rated higher, DAVE.

When I replaced mine with a Varta F21 it still had the original battery over eight years old ,still started ok even in the cold months, but replaced it as I think I was on borrowed time. 2013 FL2 XS.
Defender 90 300 TDi.
Defender 90 300 TDi CSW.
1964 MGB Roadster.
1944 Willys MB "Jeep" with bullet holes. (gone)
17 hand Irish Drought Thoroughbred (mostly lame)
Nagging Old Boiler.

Mahatma Gandhi said if there is an Idiot in power those who elected him are well represented

Invest in something like this. Approx £18.

 Now at the point when I learn something new something old is lost out the other side !
Now retired so it doesn't matter anymore.
Freelander now gone.

DEG5Y wrote:

I'm going to tempt fate now, discussing it!

This is what I put in last time I changed it.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282284011144

If I remember right, it's bigger than standard but I managed to shoe horn it in.
It's been in 6yrs this month.

If a lead acid battery doesn't hold above 12.6V 12 hours after being fully charged, then it can be considered on the way out. Hyundai Ioniq 5 Ultimate. The family car.
2009 Rimini Red SE TD4. Gone.
2006 Tonga Green i6 HSE. Gone.
Audi A5 convertible, my daily driver.
1972 Hillman Avenger GT, the project.

Jules.

You could fit a AGM Varta F21 as they come with a five year warranty so will last beyond that, though you do not have stop/start on autos it can not do any harm? 2013 FL2 XS.
Defender 90 300 TDi.
Defender 90 300 TDi CSW.
1964 MGB Roadster.
1944 Willys MB "Jeep" with bullet holes. (gone)
17 hand Irish Drought Thoroughbred (mostly lame)
Nagging Old Boiler.

Mahatma Gandhi said if there is an Idiot in power those who elected him are well represented

cheers - I'll look into that. Jules

IanMetro wrote:

Otherwise it just appears that the FL2 requires a new 12v Battery every 3 to 4 years, otherwise poor starting and intermittent electronic faults result.

Battery voltage dropping to under 8.5 Volts can cause the BCM to initiate "CRASH" status. Hyundai Ioniq 5 Ultimate. The family car.
2009 Rimini Red SE TD4. Gone.
2006 Tonga Green i6 HSE. Gone.
Audi A5 convertible, my daily driver.
1972 Hillman Avenger GT, the project.

How to measure CCA

https://batteryuniversity.com/article/bu-902a-how-to-measure-cca

' Ever since Cadillac invented the starter motor in 1912, car mechanics have explored ways to measure cold cranking amps (CCA). CCA measurements assure that the battery has sufficient power to crank the engine, especially when cold. Typical CCA readings for a car range from 350 to 600A and higher for trucks. SAE J537 specifies that a battery with a CCA reading of 500A can deliver 500A at –18°C (0°F) for 30 seconds without dropping below 7.2 volts... ' Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18