battery problems

[Mike]

Hallo

I`m new in this forum and have a question to the discovery experts.

My father own`s a Discovery with a diesel engine (about 115 horse power - 5 years old). He lives in the middle of austria where it is always very cold in winter and the disovery always makes problems at temperatures below -10° C.
When the car does not start, he rechared the battery and it work. But 1-2 days later he has the same problem.
The actual battery (Varta) is only one year old so it should not be the mistake.

Is it possible that anything in the car waste power from the batterie when the car is not in use ?
Is it possible to change the batterie against another with more power ?
Does anyone other have problems like this ?


Best

MIKE

 

[discomike]

Mike,
Tell your Father to take it to his shop and draw a battery/alternator draw test to make sure the system is charging properly and that the battery is holding the charge, if they find nothing have them test for an open circuit or short that may be drawing the battery down.
It could be something as simple as a ailing battery, this can happen even at a year old.
Mike J.

 

[Ayidth]

Hi:

Battery capacity is reduced at low temperature. You can use a trickle charger connected all the time the vehicle is not used.

Regards

Mike

 

[discomike]

Yes I agree but not to the extent of wiping ot the charge in a couple of days. I used to live in Colorado and could let me truck sit for days with no sign of problem.
Mike J.

 

[ColeCam]

I grew up on a ranch... We used diesel tractors to move hay everyday in the winter and in January and February we allways had our tractors on a trickle charge...diesels can be hard to start in the winter....does the disco have a block heater as well (plug-in)? That could also help.

 

[antichrist]

Are you sure the battery is really dead, or are you assuming that because the vehicle won't start? Check all the connections, both ends of the battery earth, as well as both ends of the positive cables. Also check the earth straps for the engine as well as the starter earth strap. Make sure there is no corrosion on any of the connections. You might want to remove them, clean, and reconnect them.
It is possible for the battery to be bad already, but unlikely.