Battery problem

[scorpio]

I have a yellow top optima on my discovery lately it has stood for a few days as i was working on it and when i went to start it the battery was dead. A yellow top optima should last longer than that so what could cause it to drain it has only just started. I have checked for a load and there is none could it be anything else. I attempted to jump start itr as well and got nothing at all there is not enough power to turn ther engine even when connected to another vehicle.

[Guy90]

I've had same type of problem on a gel battery. I've started using a maintainer while I'm worknig on the 90.

Have noticed that when they die they are very very dead.


Guy

[karloss]

I've started using a maintainer while I'm worknig on the 90.Guy

Is this just something that these battery's suffer from?
 Mines just a standard heavy duty battery, T'old lass stands for weeks on end and always has plenty of power to start.

[Guy90]

Not sure! I'm not aware I hae any significant draw on it but this seems to happen periodically which it didn't on my heavy duty one. In defence though it will start and run everything for 4 or 5 days before it goes flat when the alternator has failed.

The reason I got one was because it was free :lol:  


Guy

[bronco]

The reason I got one was because it was free :lol:  


Guy

can't get vexed at those prices :D

[cstokes]

Are you using the yellow top as a starter battery? as these are a deep cycle battery and won't stand alot of cranking before they die. I have an optima red top for cranking  and a yellow top for the winch on my series three. I have noticed if i flatten the red top and try and jump off of the yellow top then it won't crank for very long before the yellow top dies, only about two to three cranks even though the yellow top is fully charged.
 :D

[dawdler]

ok

mental note to self

do not get a Yellow top for a starter battery

right

got it

[ChrisW]

Could the cold snap last week have been a contributing factor too?
The battery on the horsebox needed a boost last weekend (but it has been standing for a lot longer probably!)

[stefan]

Peter,

I think your problem is because your lights keep flashing when it's parked in your drive.

 :lol:  :lol:

Stef

[Sharpshooter]

ok

mental note to self

do not get a Yellow top for a starter battery

right

got it

I have found that my optima yellow top will crank my 110 over all day. Your right in saying that when they are low then theyer very low, but you must remember that they need alot more charging amps than a normal battery. I take mine into work every now and then (Nuclear Power Station), and the electricians do what they call a service on it for me. They slowly drain it down and then put it on charge all day, at about 14v 11 amps. I havnt had any trouble at all with mine, and ive had it for 5 years so far. Originally, i had it powering 3 1000w amps in my Pug 205gti. :D

[Big Watty]

I've got yellow tops in my 110 and they're fine for starting - as mentioned above they are a deep cyle battery and as I understand it they can be run completely flat and as long as they're recherged at the correct rate they won't suffer any damage

[Range Rover Blues]

If you're trying to jump a vehicle with a very flat battery you'll find the flat battery acts lilke a short accross the jump leads and absorbs all the power, the contact points on the jump leads act like resistors and limit the current, so that it seems impossible to start the car as you describe.  Either disconnect the flat battery (your alternator is machine sensing so you should be ok) or leave it on the jump leads for 5 minutes and see if it picks up any charge.
I don't know about deep cycle batteries but I know with regular batteries that once they have been flattened below about 10 volts ( or 1/2 volts either side possibly) then they are toast!

[discodaz]

The Optimas seem to be a Gel filled traction battery,they should be recharged when theres only 20% capacity left, & they are no good at all for starting duties, just as a starter battery is no good for traction purposes.