Is the mk7 a battery killer?

[snobbie45]

It's a question of getting good batteries and looking after them! I have a 110amp leisure battery which is now 7years old and still holding full charge. Been on 3 previous caravans and now

on my old Motorhome. with it being an Automatic it has 2 starting batteries in the engine compartment,they were rubbish when I bought the van, so bought 2 new Bosch Silver seal batteries

4 years ago, still perfect.

Since it only gets an occasional run over the winter months I charge them up once a month for 24hrs, witha 5-stage charger, I hope they will also last at least 7 years!!

Snobbie45 (Brian)

[pikeybob]

Battery going again on the mk 7 this 1 only 4months old after warranty changed the last one. Really fookin me off now its an Exide shite Any 1 know of good quality ones? Toying with the idea of putting bigger one in back as the onein the cab dont seem big enough to start when you get a bit of frost. My mates mk7 also has problems with batterys, any one else?

[* W12KON *]

Only a year Lincoln Ford said. Consumables like brake pads etc.Apparrently

i had a 2 year old one replaced on my mk6 ,by lincoln ford , under warranty , although it was 2 years ago, dont know if they have only just changed there policy ???

[madmark]

i am still on my orginal battery but it went flat once so i fitted another next to it! personaly i dont like the ford type ,when that goes wrong again i will replace it with varta

[ake]

Battery going again on the mk 7 this 1 only 4months old after warranty changed the last one. Really fookin me off now its an Exide shite Any 1 know of good quality ones? Toying with the idea of putting bigger one in back as the onein the cab dont seem big enough to start when you get a bit of frost. My mates mk7 also has problems with batterys, any one else?

Mine still on original and starting no problem even in minus 15c

[spospe]

pikeybob

If your batteries are not lasting, then there is something wrong with your set-up and you need to do some testing to localise the problem.

Firstly, with everything switched off and all doors closed, measure the current drain from the battery (I am assuming that you have the normal MK7 installation with one 60a/h battery under the driver's seat). The current after 10 minutes since the doors were closed should be under 70m/a. If the current is higher than 70m/a, you have something switched on, or a short circuiting wire that is draining the battery.

Secondly, you need to measure the battery voltage at the end of a good run whilst the engine is still running. This figure must never be higher than 14.7 volts and with most charging systems, I would expect it to be around 14.2 volts.

You will need a good meter for these tests, as accuracy is critical.

Hope that this helps.

[MIXA]

Dont know what Toyota fit but they scrap them if they are marked scratches etc so got one through a friend accidental scratches you know, its as fitted to 2 lt models made at Derby plant been on my mk2 mondeo for almost 7 years now and still perfect, the place that makes them is in Birmingham think the name starts with a y but most of sticker is torn off

[spospe]

MIXA

Could these batteries be made by Yausa?

http://www.yuasa-battery.co.uk/

They are high quality items and are often used as battery back-up in alarm and standby power supplies.

[Mike]

Just to add to what spopse said, have you changed the standard radio for a better one? Lots of radios draw quite a current even when they're switched off, Pioneer are renowned for this.

[trevor3839]

I put a Halfords battery on my MK5 nearly 6 years ago and it's still starting fine even in this weather, it was their dearer one with a 4 year warranty... try and use Bosche when if possible on other vehicles and never had a problem... lucky I guess...

[pikeybob]

Thanks for replys guys.The van is as it come from the factory, only mod is a cobra alarm system but had starting trouble b4 that was fitted. Spospe ive checked for current draw when everything off (reading 59mA). Only thing i need to double check is posible over charging, tested on start up reading around constant 14.4v, but not checked after a long run is that best time to check?

[Mike]

After a good run everything has settled, battery should be fully charged and the alt should only be supplying enough to run the essential systems.

[angeleye]

its the original battery quality its crap(barring faults) i had a toyota pick up, from new.and after approx 5yrs it was a real pig to start,after about an hour trying to start it it still turned over as fast as it should (yuasa battery) i run a lucas 70ah 720ccp on my mk6. very good .just buy best quality you can afford,

[Mike]

its the original battery quality its crap(barring faults) i had a toyota pick up, from new.and after approx 5yrs it was a real pig to start,after about an hour trying to start it it still turned over as fast as it should (yuasa battery) i run a lucas 70ah 720ccp on my mk6. very good .just buy best quality you can afford,

It doesn't explain why some people never seem to have problems. We need to identify what people are doing to put more strain on their battery.

[pikeybob]

Tested battery today and found the following

Battery before starting reading 12.63v
Cold start van running reading 14.39v
After long run reading 14.37v
Drops to 13.97v with all electrical items on

Alternator keeps constant voltage througout rev range i would say alternator ok?

Also had battery drop tested result spot on