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Battery chargingViews : 2463 Replies : 23Users Viewing This Thread : |
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Dec 3rd, 2019, 14:06 | #1 |
0006
Last Online: Jan 14th, 2024 23:28
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Bristol
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Battery charging
My dash board has shown "Low battery” a couple of times and I am considering buying a battery charger to regularly connect over the winter. The car requires a large draw on the battery on start up so I would like to mitigate this if I can by charging it occasionally.
I am looking for some advice at this point. 1) Can I connect safely with the battery in situ and without disconnecting? 2) Should I consider a particular type of safe charger? 3) I’ve seen comments online about not connecting the negative terminal and instead attaching the negative lead to the bodywork. Is this what you would recommend? 4) I do not wish to fry anything or create error codes by charging the battery, therefore can you confirm this is safe to do without consequences? 5) any tips or recommendations on charging for this model will be welcome. VOLVO c70 >2006 SE T5 i may still require a new battery, and thus if I continue to get “low battery” after charging, I will change it. For your info, the car has low annual mileage and i think was changed last winter or the one before, via Volvo assist. All comments and recommendations welcome. |
Dec 3rd, 2019, 19:36 | #2 |
VOC Member
Last Online: May 21st, 2024 20:19
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Selby, North Yorkshire
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Modern car batteries shouldn’t need regular top up charges. I’d suggest taking the car to a reputable garage and ask them to check the state of the current battery and the efficiency of the car’s charging system.
If the battery is fading then the only sensible option is a good quality replacement. If the car’s charging system is below par then a new alternator is the most likely cure. Using a charger risks simply masking either a dying battery or a charging system fault. But given how efficient modern alternators are my money is on the battery being tired. Like tyres, brake discs and exhausts batteries have to be viewed as service components that need to be replaced every few years. Jack |
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Dec 3rd, 2019, 20:15 | #3 |
0006
Last Online: Jan 14th, 2024 23:28
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Bristol
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I was previously advised by VOLVO assist that it’s because I don’t do many miles per annum approx 4500. So the battery not likely to last as long. Given the cold starts puts more pressure on the power needed I thought it might be prudent to give it a bit of a charge occasionally. I know that I will still need to replace it more regularly than most but thought a charge might help it last longer.
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Dec 3rd, 2019, 20:41 | #4 |
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Last Online: Today 11:59
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Northampton
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If the car is getting little use you need a smart charger. I have a Ctek charger that is permanently connected to the C70, it monitors the battery and keeps it in optimum condition and the car is always 'on the button'.
My son has a XR3i Convertible that was restored to concours about 10 years ago. He bought a new Motorcraft battery from Ford to complete the restoration. The battery has always been connected to a Ctek charger and always starts first time. In fact about 3 years ago he decided to modify and upgrade the brakes; he took the engine/gearbox out to improve access to the braking system and as part of that exercise removed the battery and popped it on the shelf with the Ctek connected. Life got in the way and the engine did not go back in for 18 months - the battery had stood on the shelf all this time. Battery went back in the car, turned the key and the engine whipped over as normal and soon started. The battery is now 10 years old with infrequent use, but always connected to the Ctek. It performs as well as when new.
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2001 V40 2.0lt Sport Lux - Daily Driver. 178k miles. 2003 C70 2.4 GT Convertible - Garage Queen. 67k miles. http://www.neptuno6benagil.com |
Dec 3rd, 2019, 21:10 | #5 |
Upstanding Member
Last Online: Sep 12th, 2023 11:29
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Ludlow
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Between long journeys, my car gets left for lengthy periods and I get regular 'low battery charge' messages. Occasionally using a cheap charger suitable for EFB/AGM batteries (my battery is an EFB type) keeps everything happy!
The positive lead goes to battery +, but the negative lead goes to the engine block (or body) so that the charge flows via the monitoring block on the vehicle negative battery connection to keep the charge state monitoring system properly updated.
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Dec 3rd, 2019, 21:37 | #6 | |
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Last Online: Today 08:33
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Kelsall
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Quote:
They tell me the charging programme is so smart that "it does not ever charge the battery fully, 12.1V is OK; don't trust plug in voltmeters as they are not connected directly to the battery" Shame the"very smart" charging system didn't inform the rest of the car that a low voltage is OK and that it shouldn't indicate a low battery warning and shut off the stereo after about 3 minutes. I put the battery on charge now every 3-4 days (CTEK 7.0), it reaches an at rest 12.85 V. An optional extra quick connection kit fitted to the battery. The plug in voltmeter always shows 14V + when the engine is running, I suspect a big current drain when the engine is off, the Volvo computer says no ! Echoes of "Little Britain"! I keep my Saab 9-3 Aero convertible on charge using a Maypole 4A charger; does as good a job as the CTEK and includes the quick connection hardware at one quarter of the cost of the CTEK. |
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Dec 4th, 2019, 08:45 | #7 |
Master Member
Last Online: Dec 19th, 2020 16:24
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bodmin
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I've used one of these for about 3yrs now and it's been great. Can't fault it, even my neighbour borrows it.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-12V-10...YAAOSwKeBddz7~
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huron 2009 V70 2.4 geartronic in red. |
Dec 4th, 2019, 09:56 | #8 | |
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Last Online: May 7th, 2024 13:22
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Thurso
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Dec 4th, 2019, 10:26 | #9 |
VOC Member
Last Online: May 21st, 2024 20:19
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Selby, North Yorkshire
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In 42 years of car ownership - at that includes more than a dozen Volvos - I've never had to give a car battery regular top up charges. Of course I've bought new batteries - I had to get one last week for my 97 S90 as it happens - but I've always regarded the battery as "service consumable" - a bit like tyres, brakes and exhausts. Something that will last a good while, but not for the life of the car.
I do wonder about cars with automatic stop-start systems though. I happened to have use of a newish Fiesta a few weeks back, and it would stop the engine at traffic lights etc, and then restart when you pushed the clutch down. However, all the lights, heaters, audio continued to work even with engine off. I guess that engineers cleverer than me have thought it all through, but I could quite believe that a car with this technology used predominantly in slow traffic would tend to go through batteries rather more quickly than cars without. Jack |
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Dec 4th, 2019, 12:53 | #10 | |
Premier Member
Last Online: Feb 11th, 2023 20:32
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Blyth, Northumberland
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Quote:
However, what can be done about it? Is it possible to update/amend the software? Dealer is saying not possible.
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Ian. Since 2005: 1992 Volvo 940 estate 2.0L. Manual. Daily driver and workhorse. Last edited by Ian21401; Dec 4th, 2019 at 12:53. Reason: Amend typo. |
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