Battery has died a few times - buy booster unit or new battery?

FrankGrimes

The battery in my 03 VW Passat has died maybe 3 or 4 times in the last year (once when aircon left on for 20 minutes, once when lights left on, and today when I arrived back from 10 days work travel it was just dead, can't see anything left on).

I'm wondering if it's time to buy a new battery? Are there any decent booster units that I could keep in the car to jump start it without needing another car (and also so that I could easily provide jump-starts to others)?

Just trying to figure out what the best move is, though I may end up going for both if that's worthwhile.

When I tried starting it this morning the lights on the dash just flashed and there was a clicking sound and it ejected the CD in the tray. I'm guessing when I get another car to jumpstart it tonight there will be a problem with the radio being locked as it will have gone completely dead. I have a VAGCOM interface but haven't really used it yet - would this be able to help unlock the radio if needed?

Thanks.

Danuogma

Depends on the age and condition of the battery. If it is fairly new it could be the alternator or a bad connection. If it is fairly old get a new one. Starting a car with a booster on a regular basis is an unnecessary hassle.

DOC09UNAM

You can get a few portable jump starters....

Few friends have them and one of them said it was awesome...

worth looking into.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/Emergency_Jump_Starters?ID=7;1101000931;1101000909;0;100001;Category;0;0;0;0;0

BrianD3

A good booster pack will likely be at least as expensive as a new battery. Cheap booster packs (eg LIDl) are available but are not much use.

Even if you change the battery, battery charging equipment is useful to have. I have a mains charger and it has been used on many occasions.

If your battery has been discharged a few time this year then it is probably now nearing the end of its life. Although I seem to remember somebody (JHMEG?) posting here before about reviving sulphated batteries using chemicals, that might be worth trying.

R.O.R

We've one of these in work:

http://www.irishautoparts.ie/breakdown-towing-trailor-boards-car-jacks-booster-packs/battery-booster-packs/ferve-battery-booster-pack-f2001.html



Even with that we'll sometimes have to grab the jump leads for something that's been sitting around long enough. I wouldn't bother with a booster pack to carry around with you. If it's affordable and light enough, then it's always going to be discharged when you need it. The one pictured above isn't the lightest of things to carry - it's usually on a a trolley for ease of use.

If your car was sitting for 10 days and the battery has died, I wouldn't be too concerned. Mine can go flat in about 4 days now (phone kit is always on). If it's every couple of days I'd go for a new battery.

I'd also carry a set of jump leads everywhere with you - you never know.

FrankGrimes

Thanks for the info lads. The battery doesn't die all that often I suppose and I guess it might have been the Parrot handsfree kit that did it this time.

Still, I might get a new battery for peace of mind - is a 6 year old battery generally regarded as needing a replacement? Just doing a quick look it seems Halfords have these options for around €100. I know Halfords are very hit and miss for cycling gear, but how are they for things like batteries?

With a jumper booster like this one do you charge it up from a mains plug and then the idea is it holds the charge until needed? And is the concern that cheap ones generally don't hold the charge for long periods and so may be drained by the time they are needed?

And then is the second type of ones mentioned here the ones that require a mains connecting to do the actual charging, in the same way that a standard AA battery charger works? What's the main purpose of those ones (which seem to take hours to work) - is it to charge up brand new batteries for the first time? Is this a good example of this type and should I rule these in or out?

Rovi

Yet another thread about a failing battery, where it transpires that there's a bluetooth phone kit involved.

Whatever you do as regards the battery OP, get the carkit wired correctly; these things are NOT meant to be on 24/7, they're supposed to switch off with the ignition key.

Darsad

im amazed a post re dodgy battery can get so many responses and nice pics too !

BrianD3

FrankGrimes wrote: »

And then is the second type of ones mentioned here the ones that require a mains connecting to do the actual charging, in the same way that a standard AA battery charger works? What's the main purpose of those ones (which seem to take hours to work) - is it to charge up brand new batteries for the first time? Is this a good example of this type and should I rule these in or out?

I don't know a whole lot about them this one from Argos is the one I have
http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/7402168/Trail/searchtext>BATTERY+CHARGER.htm
I think it can handle bigger batteries than the one from Halfords to so it may be better and its slightly cheaper. The battery probably has to be disconnected before charging but can be left in situ in the car. A mains charger + a long extension lead is a useful thing to have

These mains chargers will charge a battery that has gone flat for whatever reason. A battery that has been completely discharged may not be chargabale.

R.O.R

6 years is probably slightly above average for a battery to last. I'd say 5 years is a fairly good span for a battery.

Halfords are OK for batteries, but they are probably more expensive than your local motor factors.

I've no experience of the type of jumper pack you've linked to, but I know the heavy duty ones we have in work like I posted above, have a tendency never to have enough charge to start whatever needs starting - unless it's a 1.2 Micra! They charge via the mains, or you can hook them up to a running car battery and charge them that way.

The battery charger you linked to is a trickle charger. Idea is that you connect your flat battery to it and leave it a few hours or overnight, and it recharges the battery.

As Rovi pointed out above, you might want to check the wiring on your Parrott kit as it sounds like it's not quite wired correctly.

Scruff

oh goody, i wont have to post my own battery died thread now

I recently had my alternator checked at a car electrics specialist for another problem i was having and they said it was working fine. However my battery hadnt enough juice this morning to start. I had noticed the last few mornings when it was getting colder that it was taking longer to turn over.
Would this seem to indicate that the battery is knackered? Its only 2 years old (3 tops)

Recently the lights were left on for 5 mins with the engine off and the car wouldnt start then either. Is this normal or would the lights have had to be left on longer if the battery was fully charged?

JHMEG

R.O.R wrote: »

6 years is probably slightly above average for a battery to last. I'd say 5 years is a fairly good span for a battery.

Out of experience I'd concur. Also, price a battery at a main dealer. Last time I needed one it was €1 more than the two I had to bring back to the motor factors as they wouldn't hold a charge.

extra-ordinary_

I bought a booster around a year ago and have to say it was a waste of money. As previously stated, a jump will work where often the booster won't have enough power - and that's presuming it's even fully charged when you go to use it. A set of jump leads in the boot are the best option IMHO.



If you're looking for a 2nd hand booster (hardly used!) PM me!

http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/7402120/Trail/searchtext%3ERAC.htm

FrankGrimes

Just to say I jump started this car no problem yesterday morning. Took a few minutes to get going but has been fine since then.

It actually looks like the Parrot handsfree kit is shutting down when the engine is switched off, though I wonder if it could still be drawing a small current?

I did notice that the girlfriend had left the passenger heated seat switch on a 3 and though the heating was off as the engine was off, I wonder if that could have caused the battery to drain somehow?

I think there's a chance the battery may have been changed before I bought the car 2 years ago - is there any way to confirm? Don't think I'll rush out to buy a battery just yet and the boosters don't sound like much help so I think I'll just go on keeping a set of jump leads in the boot for emergencies.