battery charge state

david34 · Oct 7th, 2019, 16:35

I drive a V40 T5 Cross Country 67 plate which generally suits me very well.
But I am finding that the battery does not last very long if I am parked and listening to music on the cd player. The main dealer advice is to go and drive for 30 minutes each day to keep the battery topped up (even if I have nowhere to go?)

Does anyone else have this sort of problem?I could fit a battery charger as I park in my garage at night, but I have no idea how to go about it.

Some helpful advice would be appreciated.

david34

RS3100 · Oct 8th, 2019, 09:03

On cars with stop/start, the battery is kept at a state of charge of 80% to allow for the regeneration strategy. This leaves less reserve for running consumers with the engine off, and the radio system on these cars is quite power hungry with the amp etc.

Best not to use the radio with the engine off for any length of time unless you know that you will be driving a reasonable distance immediately afterwards.

You can charge the battery (I put mine on charge frequently as the car isn't in daily use) but the ECU will allow it to drop to 80% SOC again as soon as it can afterwards.

If you're going to charge it, I'd recommend a fairly low current microprocessor controlled "intelligent" trickle charger, such as CTEK. Connect the positive lead to the positive battery terminal, then the negative lead to a nearby chassis ground NOT the negative battery terminal. On my car there is a bolt in a bracket attached to the nearside suspension mount which is ideal.

Paul Wildsmith · Oct 8th, 2019, 09:32

all Volvos for the last 15 years (about) - and I'm sure other cars - have all sorts of systems powered when you have the ignition on (even on the 'accessory' position) and you generally only get 15 mins of radio time before battery low message.

You don't need to drive everyday to keep battery topped up, on its own it should be fine for many weeks as long as everything switched off. Though if you then only make very short journeys, say less than 5 miles regularly, you may need to top up the battery every so often.

RS3100 · Oct 8th, 2019, 09:39

Mine gets quite low if left parked up for 2-3 weeks. When I go away, I leave it connected to a smart charger on a timer, that switches it on for 8 hours once a week.

Despite manufacturers claims, I've found from previous experience that smart chargers such as Accumate and CTEK etc. are best not left on continuously for any length of time.

Oct 7th, 2019, 16:35	#1
david34 New Member Last Online: Oct 28th, 2020 21:48 Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: henley on thames	battery charge state I drive a V40 T5 Cross Country 67 plate which generally suits me very well. But I am finding that the battery does not last very long if I am parked and listening to music on the cd player. The main dealer advice is to go and drive for 30 minutes each day to keep the battery topped up (even if I have nowhere to go?) Does anyone else have this sort of problem?I could fit a battery charger as I park in my garage at night, but I have no idea how to go about it. Some helpful advice would be appreciated. david34

Oct 8th, 2019, 09:32	#3
Paul Wildsmith Register Keeper Last Online: Yesterday 20:28 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Bristol	all Volvos for the last 15 years (about) - and I'm sure other cars - have all sorts of systems powered when you have the ignition on (even on the 'accessory' position) and you generally only get 15 mins of radio time before battery low message. You don't need to drive everyday to keep battery topped up, on its own it should be fine for many weeks as long as everything switched off. Though if you then only make very short journeys, say less than 5 miles regularly, you may need to top up the battery every so often. __________________ Paul VOC 90's SPARK

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Oct 8th, 2019, 09:03	#2
RS3100 Member Last Online: Today 09:04 Join Date: May 2019 Location: Europe	On cars with stop/start, the battery is kept at a state of charge of 80% to allow for the regeneration strategy. This leaves less reserve for running consumers with the engine off, and the radio system on these cars is quite power hungry with the amp etc. Best not to use the radio with the engine off for any length of time unless you know that you will be driving a reasonable distance immediately afterwards. You can charge the battery (I put mine on charge frequently as the car isn't in daily use) but the ECU will allow it to drop to 80% SOC again as soon as it can afterwards. If you're going to charge it, I'd recommend a fairly low current microprocessor controlled "intelligent" trickle charger, such as CTEK. Connect the positive lead to the positive battery terminal, then the negative lead to a nearby chassis ground NOT the negative battery terminal. On my car there is a bolt in a bracket attached to the nearside suspension mount which is ideal.

Oct 8th, 2019, 09:39	#4
RS3100 Member Last Online: Today 09:04 Join Date: May 2019 Location: Europe	Mine gets quite low if left parked up for 2-3 weeks. When I go away, I leave it connected to a smart charger on a timer, that switches it on for 8 hours once a week. Despite manufacturers claims, I've found from previous experience that smart chargers such as Accumate and CTEK etc. are best not left on continuously for any length of time.

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