You would mess up the charge memory in the ECU if you used a cig socket.
Flat battery
- Thread starter Stripy
- Start date
Interesting this should pop up. My 1yr old sat for 3 weeks and the battery was flat - I put it down to the speaker amp, but maybe not!
Going to check the battery make tonight.
Also, when I used the battery boost I connected the negative clamp to the screw that holds the battery in place - worked perfectly. I tried other bare metal parts but this is the only contact that worked.
Going to check the battery make tonight.
Also, when I used the battery boost I connected the negative clamp to the screw that holds the battery in place - worked perfectly. I tried other bare metal parts but this is the only contact that worked.
P
Phil_G
Guest
Mine isnt used between camping trips and it could easily be 3 or 4 weeks in between, so I keep the starter
battery topped up from the solar & leisure battery combination via a small homebrew B2B, it simply plugs into the
aux cig socket at the back which is off the leisure battery and the cig socket at the front, which is off the starter battery.
The solar keeps the leisure battery on float and the B2B output is fixed at 12.6v with a linear LDO, so the starter battery floats at
about 80% charge, it rarely takes more than half an amp or so, unless its been left a longer time.
I dont leave it on all the time, maybe once a week (all day) when I remember.
I'm happy with this arrangement as the charge from the cig socket does pass through the battery monitor, & its only a relatively low 'maintenance' charge. Its simply to counter any self-discharge losses over periods of a few weeks.
Cheers
Phil
battery topped up from the solar & leisure battery combination via a small homebrew B2B, it simply plugs into the
aux cig socket at the back which is off the leisure battery and the cig socket at the front, which is off the starter battery.
The solar keeps the leisure battery on float and the B2B output is fixed at 12.6v with a linear LDO, so the starter battery floats at
about 80% charge, it rarely takes more than half an amp or so, unless its been left a longer time.
I dont leave it on all the time, maybe once a week (all day) when I remember.
I'm happy with this arrangement as the charge from the cig socket does pass through the battery monitor, & its only a relatively low 'maintenance' charge. Its simply to counter any self-discharge losses over periods of a few weeks.
Cheers
Phil
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Thanks for your advice @travelvolts, I suspected this was the case after reading previous related post. Thanks also for all the other responses.
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That will be interesting! Good luck with that.
Sagsy80
New Member
I’ve had my t6 3 weeks, it’s registered June 18 and its an ex VW demonstrator. Not used it too much as been off work though I have started it up every other day and give it a little run out. Last week tried starting it and it had a flat battery. AA came out, tested battery and said it needed replacing. It’s been at dealership all week, initially they said battery was fine from their tests then the next day they said it needed replacing, waiting to hear off them today. The battery’s an MLA Moll too which I think other people have had problems with.
Well my battery finally died today. Called VW assist and they sent the AA who tested the battery and it was showing 4 amps! After running the van for an hour it still wouldn't re-start. I'm guessing one of the cells has collapsed and now it's completely goosed. A long and annoying discussion with Lookers Teesside to look forward to......!
VW Assist came today, tested the battery for two hours, then replaced it! Result! I did ring Lookers Teesside and they back-heeled it (luckily for me otherwise it would've been with them for a minimum of 2 days).
Moral of the story seems to be let the battery go flat - ring VW Assist and get them to change the battery. The guy said they do it a lot at the moment (surprise)
Moral of the story seems to be let the battery go flat - ring VW Assist and get them to change the battery. The guy said they do it a lot at the moment (surprise)
Having trouble now with my SECOND battery on the T6 in just over a year. Been used continuously over past 6 months and then stood for a week and I got a low battery message on the display. Standing voltage typically 12.0v Lookers don't seem to think this will be a problem as 'we don't go by battery voltage to check a battery'. Taking DaveF advice on VW assist now, with a Dbpower in the back just in case I need it in a hurry!
It would mess up the ECU in terms of knowing the true state of charge of the battery.
Ha, don't think the ECU has clue whats going on with the battery anyway - but bear that in mind cheers.
So what do you think controls the alternator then, the spare wheel maybe?
So sorry, this should have read wouldn't mess up......
Maybe you don't understand how an intelligent alternator works Steve. They are not like standard alternators and do not have built in regulators. Current in and out of the battery is monitored by a shunt on the battery negative terminal. This information is supplied to the alternator ECU which then decides at what rate it should charge the battery. The alternator ECU also receives information about how the vehicle is being driven. During engine overrun and braking the charge output is boosted to take advantage of otherwise wasted energy.
Yes I know it's all clever stuff and obviously not to be messed with. Never thought I'd have to even think about this stuff. Thought I'd just buy a new van and drive it and that's it. Certainly for the first year anyway. Very unimpressed with the t6.
Oh, why are you unimpressed with it Steve?
Steering not straight from New, massively veering to.one side. Took 3 visits to dealer to sort out. First starter battery lasted 5 months. Second one looks like it's on the way out after 7 months despite daily use.
Hmm, yes, it seems like all the pleasure has gone from buying a new vehicle. Not many manufacturers or retailers are able to get it right. I think it fair to say that your gripes are pretty much down to a poor dealership and the supplier of the batteries, rather than the van itself though.
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