Solar Panel

[Smeeagain]

WhT make of battery is it? I had a two year old one replaced under warranty
Smee

[henrym3]

Varta, think it had 4 year warranty. If memory serves me the receipt is taped to the side of the battery. I know what you mean  about them not seeing out the warranty. My Bosch 5 year lasted 1 year in the R32. The new 5 year Bosch only gets 4 years. When questioned they said that if I bring it back in 31/2 years I would only get 6 months with my new 5 year battery.

[Smeeagain]

THat's true they do "play" the warranty but if you'll get more than 6 months in reality out of a replacement. It may be that you need a proper drop test done on it to prove/disprove either way.
Smee

[henrym3]

I wonder if having had a definite fault on the ABS module if that could have caused a small additional drain. I sit here now in my comfortable warm house and have talked myself into going out tomorrow and fitting the module, removing the LPG tank and checking the battery drain. I will, I will, I WILL.

[Smeeagain]

If youre doing that then disconnect the battery for at least 30mins. Helps discharge some of the gremlins
Smee

[henrym3]

Fitted the ABS module checked the battery drain at 82mA. Took Smee's advice while there and left battery disconnected, probably a couple of hours, rechecked and drain had dropped to 75mA. Both these readings are within what X5Sport suggested was ok. Don't know what went to sleep and saved another 7mA after disconnection OR if it's back after restarting car. These results would suggest my next move is to get the battery drop tested as Smee suggested.
Note:- Smee maybe you are special.

[Smeeagain]

I am definitely special. And X5 knows all things electrical. If I recall correctly there is more than one way to do a drop test, but there is only one method that gives the true result so hopefully X5 will be along shortly to define what needs done and how. And to save all the faffing with lpg tank, maybe remove the battery if you can and take it in another vehicle, if you can, to the drop tester, particularly if your next journey is oneard to claim a new one under warranty ..... otherwise you'll be lifting the lpg, taking battery out getting it tested, then refit, then off to get replacement, remove, refit blah blah blah

[Smeeagain]

[quote="henrym3"]
Fitted the ABS module checked the battery drain at 82mA. Took Smee's advice while there and left battery disconnected, probably a couple of hours, rechecked and drain had dropped to 75mA. Both these readings are within what X5Sport suggested was ok. Don't know what went to sleep and saved another 7mA after disconnection OR if it's back after restarting car. These results would suggest my next move is to get the battery drop tested as Smee suggested.
Note:- Smee maybe you are special.
[/quote]

Did you get the battery tested and/or replaced?

[henrym3]

My final solution, taking in all that was said in the thread was to fit a 50w solar panel with regulator to stop overcharging and back flow from battery. Temporally fitted one of those little volt readers into the cig lighter socket just to measure how things are doing. I am very impressed, deliberately drained the battery down till reading was 11.4v. Locked it up (approx. 10am) dull day, Following morning I had 12.2v. Have hard wired the battery connections and controller in engine compartment. You can see via green and red lights as to whether you are charging/discharging, fully charged, not working. Probably OTT but.