Keeping van battery 'warm'?

Unregistered39

Hi there,

I have a 2001 VW van (camper) that I'm obviously not getting much use out of these days. I try to drive it every day if possible, although they are usually short journeys. I replaced the battery last week, drove fine yesterday, and today it won't start again. Is there anything I can do, short of taking out the battery, to stop the cold getting at it?

I can see thermal covers to store batteries in out of the van but I'm looking for something I can put over it while it's in situ. I only have on-street parking so don't have much say in where the van is parked unfortunately. I thought of cutting up an insulated picnic thing I have and wrapping it as best as possible, but if anyone has other ideas all advice gratefully received ... Tx

kermitpwee

Short journeys are not helping

Water John

Disconnect the terminals. Maybe connect up and start once a week but you'd want to leave it running for 30 mins.

Unregistered39

kermitpwee wrote: »

Short journeys are not helping

Yes, I know, but I am currently working insane hours and don't have the time for longer journeys.

elperello

If that's a new battery it's not the cold that is your problem.

Why did you replace the old battery?

Car99

I'd be checking its charging correctly and that there in nothing draining the battery while its parked up. A new fully charged battery shouldnt go dead within a couple of days if the car charging system is functioning properly.

Unregistered39

elperello wrote: »

If that's a new battery it's not the cold that is your problem.

Why did you replace the old battery?

That's what I'm afraid of, it drove absolutely fine yesterday. The old battery was ancient and even in the summer needed constant jumping.

Unregistered39

Thanks all, I don't think there's anything draining it but will check again tomorrow. Disconnecting it isn't practical as I'd use it at least 3-4 times a week.

elperello

Unregistered39 wrote: »

That's what I'm afraid of, it drove absolutely fine yesterday. The old battery was ancient and even in the summer needed constant jumping.

Sounds like the battery was not charging.

Get a mechanic to check your alternator.

Toyotafanboi

If a new battery isn't starting it after only one day parked up then there's definitely something else wrong.

Water John

Unregistered39 wrote: »

Thanks all, I don't think there's anything draining it but will check again tomorrow. Disconnecting it isn't practical as I'd use it at least 3-4 times a week.

Then put in a dead switch to isolate the positive terminal while parked.

Unregistered39

Thanks again everyone. This is all very new to me so I'm learning as I go. I'll talk to a mechanic tomorrow.

kermitpwee

Unregistered39 wrote: »

Yes, I know, but I am currently working insane hours and don't have the time for longer journeys.

What I mean is that if your driving the short journeys to keep it charged you would be better off not driving it if you get my drift.
Obviously if you need to do these short journeys then thats a different story

Turbohymac

Hi op just check that its actually charging properly and fit a master switch/isolating switch to ensure there isn't anything draining it..as other posters correctly pointed out that new battery shouldn't be an issue even if it was cold.. also if you're not driving it much you could trickle charge the battery possibly once a month..there should then be no issues..But don't leave a charger connected and powered to mains constantly as that will start the battery gassing.and wreck it..
Sounds like your problem is either van not charging or the most likely is that something is draining it down.
Good luck

Unregistered39

kermitpwee wrote: »

What I mean is that if your driving the short journeys to keep it charged you would be better off not driving it if you get my drift.
Obviously if you need to do these short journeys then thats a different story

Sorry if I sounded snappy there! I use it to visit cocooning parents so it's a tricky one. I'll see what the mechanic says tomorrow and make a decision then. If he can get it sorted I will make a point of driving (in 5k circles) regularly for at least 30 minutes

Unregistered39

Turbohymac wrote: »

Hi op just check that its actually charging properly and fit a master switch/isolating switch to ensure there isn't anything draining it..as other posters correctly pointed out that new battery shouldn't be an issue even if it was cold.. also if you're not driving it much you could trickle charge the battery possibly once a month..there should then be no issues..But don't leave a charger connected and powered to mains constantly as that will start the battery gassing.and wreck it..
Sounds like your problem is either van not charging or the most likely is that something is draining it down.
Good luck

Hi Turbohymac, I'm going to take advantage of my anonymity here and ask what sort of thing might be draining it down? It's not the lights or stereo. The rest of your post I am Googling! Thanks a mill.

elperello

Unregistered39 wrote: »

Hi Turbohymac, I'm going to take advantage of my anonymity here and ask what sort of thing might be draining it down? It's not the lights or stereo. The rest of your post I am Googling! Thanks a mill.

It's possible that something in the domestic electric system is drawing current.

If possible disconnect the entire domestic system.

There may be a switch or remove all the fuses.

Also if you still have that old battery get it tested. It may be ok.

guitarhappy

I had an​ old van that did the same thing. Turned out to be a short in the dome light up top from many years of condensation. I fixed it but I also found that the solar panel chargers that plug into the cigarette lighter and sit on the dash work great, for about €50.

L1011

Unregistered39 wrote: »

Yes, I know, but I am currently working insane hours and don't have the time for longer journeys.

What you're doing is realistically worse than not driving it at all, though.

delly

If you are taking short journeys because you have to, far enough, but they are doing the battery more harm than good if it is the sole purpose for a drive, as mentioned above.

I have a second car that has rarely seen any driving time since the pandemic started. I'll take it for a half hour drive every month, but to keep the battery charged, I use a plug in trickle charger every week. It is only about €50 from the like of Argos or Halfords, but removes any need to have to take the car out on a jaunt.

Unregistered39

Thanks everyone. I absolutely do not have the skills to do as suggested so will get a mechanic to take a look. I do understand the need for it to be driven more though. All the best.

Del2005

Unregistered39 wrote: »

Thanks everyone. I absolutely do not have the skills to do as suggested so will get a mechanic to take a look. I do understand the need for it to be driven more though. All the best.

The easiest thing to do is disconnect the negative terminal from the battery after you drive it. That way even if you have a parasitic drain it can't drain the battery till you get it checked.

Bricriu

Get a Solar Panel to keep it topped up; see www.ecofreak.co.uk.

btree

Hi,

I would do as follows:

I would disconnect battery and just keep it in the van.

Use a cheap volmeter and measure the voltage before you disconnect the terminsl. B&Q has volmeter for around €25.

Measure again on the next day if voltage remains the same at 12v then problem is the van.

I could measure to check the alternator's performance with this volmeter too. It should be over 13v when the enginer is running.

But, I dont think this cold wheather would drain battery like that.

Hope you sort this out soon.

elperello

Hi OP how did you get on?

orm0nd

Water John wrote: »

Then put in a dead switch to isolate the positive terminal while parked.

a lot safer to isolate the negative

orm0nd

orm0nd wrote: »

a lot safer to isolate the negative

I have one of these.

The terminals on the battery wear away and you can't clamp them tightly if you keep connecting and disconnecting the negative lead so this is a better solution also it is safer than spiking the various electronic components on the car which I had the misfortune of doing and corrupting the content of a EEPROM.
I had a FIAT where the headunit was draining the battery within about 2 days due to firmware bug and another car that just had small loses here and there which would result in the battery being flat after a few weeks.
A diesel van will also need more amperage to crank than a small petrol car.

Masala

On the same theme...and to talk on my problem ... I have noticed that when I put on my indicator as I drive - when the arm reverts to normal position I can still hear the indicator ticking. Then when I park up... every minute or so I can hear the indicator coming on even though the keys are out. Get up next morning and battery is dead and need to jump start the car.

I reckon the indicator is running all night.....

Any ideas

Apologies to highjack this thread OP.

Unregistered39

Sorry for disappearing there, all. @Masala please hijack away as mine is sorted! Turns out the glow plugs needed to be replaced. Got it done and running smoothly now.

Thanks again for the advice everyone, I'm driving quite a lot now but if that changes will do as suggested.

Car99

Masala wrote: »

On the same theme...and to talk on my problem ... I have noticed that when I put on my indicator as I drive - when the arm reverts to normal position I can still hear the indicator ticking. Then when I park up... every minute or so I can hear the indicator coming on even though the keys are out. Get up next morning and battery is dead and need to jump start the car.

I reckon the indicator is running all night.....

Any ideas

Apologies to highjack this thread OP.

Pull the fuse for the indicators at night and then you'll know