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Honda Car Battery Drain

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Cheymax
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 31 Ohio
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2021-06-10          200379


Most cars today have enviromentally freindly alternators to get higher MPG. Meaning they do not kick in until they are running a t higher speeds for longer periods. Think driving for 45 minutes above 50 MPH.

But cars have more onboard electrical requirements. Your car runs a pump to presurize the fuel takewhen you car has been off for example. Your car is always wondering are the keys nearby or in the car? Is the hood open.

Then there is the auto engine idle stop feature that is a killer for the battery as well.

The long and short of it is that if you use your car for mostly short trips of 7 to 10 miles each way that may not be enough to keep the battery charged.

One tell tale sign is that your auto engine idle stop no longer works. I know happy days are here agian but it is a tell nonetheless.

Another is keeping the car on a tirckle charger until fully charged. Then do a 20 mile errand and put it back on the trickle charger. You will may find that it takes several hours to get a full charge from just a short trip sucking up battery charge.

I have had a dealer tell me that I should bring jumper cables if I plan to leave the car at an airport for a week.

Oh the joy!

Happy motoring.




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Honda Car Battery Drain

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bristan8
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 69 Camden NSW, Australia
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2021-06-14          200383


I have found that to be true with batteries also. I was regularly replacing the batteries in my toyota landcruiser until one day i used my multimeter to check the current drawn with the car stationary. Strangely enough it was greater when unlocked than locked and certainly enough to drain the battery over time..
I decided to use a 5 watt solar panel to charge the battery while in my garage and haven't replaced the battery since installing the panel and it is mostly in a fully charged condition. I fitted a cigarette lighter socket to the front of my car and just plug in the solar panel (which is on the house roof) when it is in the garage. The panel is regulated to around 13.8 volts and i have a small voltmeter on the regulator so i can easily check the state of charge. This worked so well that i bought another one to charge all the batteries in my shed. I have several which sit idle for periods. eg ride on mower, tractor, boat caravan etc. I rotate the panel between the various batteries every now and the and they now remain in good condition. The panels where only about $25 each so i think that they have been a really good investment. I wouldn't use any higher wattage panel where I live as the 5 watt panel works fine and doesn't overload the regulator. The panels are fitted with diodes to stop current flowing back into the panel at night so they really simulate a car driving for several hours a day then sitting in a garage overnight. I also now lock the car even when it is in the garage .
Brian ....


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Honda Car Battery Drain

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Cheymax
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 31 Ohio
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2021-06-16          200385


Very slick idea. ....


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