Mutley Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Right then.... Once again the cold weather moves in and causes some of us problems with regards to starting! Early on this year I sorted out the earth cables on the motor, re-newed and re-located! End of last year brought NEW BIG Battery!!! Now I don't do a lot of miles, only short runs. It's 2.5 miles to work (yes two and a half miles), then it's 3 miles to where the wife keeps her horse, if I go into town it's 6.5 miles!!! So how do i go about keeping the battery at it's best?.... The Defender is a 300Tdi with standard 65A alternator... Is it worth putting a 100amp alt. on in place? Can i do any thing to pro-long the battery life and make it as efficient as it can be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmgemini Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 It IMO depends what else you are running off the battery, I'm in the same position as you. Just filled, well half filled the car for the first time since November ?? I do have a Discovery 100amp alternator on mine but I run a split charge battery system and a fridge, Also I have a Cetek charger fitted to keep the main battery up to full charge, when I remember to switch it on.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutley Posted February 4, 2012 Author Share Posted February 4, 2012 No I don't run any thing else, no winch no nothing....... Just wandered if a 100 plus Amp alternator was the way to go ie put more backin quicker, if you know what i mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zardos Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 A 100A alternator will not charge a battery any faster than a 65A (unless you are drawing more than about 40A while driving) as a typical very flat battery will take only around 25A and more normally around 2-5A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 get a decent charger/conditioner Ctek are great, my XS25000 Multi unit looks after my big batteries without ant fuss. http://www.ctekchargers.co.uk/ctek-xs25000-ext.php not cheap, but will last a lifetime. http://www.ctekchargers.co.uk/?gclid=CKXQ5ceJha4CFdHbfAodCggh5g Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutley Posted February 4, 2012 Author Share Posted February 4, 2012 so how do i put back into the battery quickley what i use to start the motor, as i'm not driving far enough each time to fully charge the thing......or what else is there i can do to help it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 you won't without a charger on overnight or longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutley Posted February 4, 2012 Author Share Posted February 4, 2012 Nice idea Western.....Nice price tag too....May have to drive the long way round to work for a while me thinks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zim Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 With what you're doing currently are you having problems ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutley Posted February 4, 2012 Author Share Posted February 4, 2012 Nice one Zim...Like it, like it .......A little play on words there, keeping it to the theme ....."CURRENT...ly" And to answer your Current question...NO not having problems, just a bit disapointed this morning really, like I said got New Big Battery, New earth wires and cleaned earth points, put in 10w40 engine oil....Temperature was -8c here this morning, went to start the LR and it took a few turn before it fired up......... Was kinda hoping it would have been a bit more on the button, after the effort i put in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo Murphy Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Mutley, are your glow plugs all working OK ? Mo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zim Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Lol...didn't see the pun. I would of thought that even though you're not driving that much, i reckon that it should be fairly charged. It's probably just because it was so cold. As stated above, glow plugs ? I know i don't like working in the cold Gord Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutley Posted February 4, 2012 Author Share Posted February 4, 2012 Not too sure on the glow plug front......Works fine (On the button) any other time, just takes a few turns when temp is below 0c.....How do I check glow plugs are ok/good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 check the glowplug relay & it's socket too http://forums.lr4x4....20testing&st=20 tested mine a while ago like this ---- remove glowplugs, get jump leads out. connect negative jump lead to battery neg terminal connect positive jump lead to battery pos terminal connect other end onf negative jump lead to the glowplug body [not the top end threaded terminal] get some gloves & insulated pliers & grip glowplug with pliers ensure neg lead is still connected as above connect positive jump lead to the top threaded end until glowplug tip heats to cherry red that means it's working OK, disconnect pos lead & don't touch the now hot end tip, test the other 3 plugs in same way, if any are not heating up or take a long time to change to red they need replacing. don't get burnt. cos it hurts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutley Posted February 4, 2012 Author Share Posted February 4, 2012 Allready been BURNT.......I've got a F****** Land Rover!!!!!!! But i take your point, Cheers Western Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retroanaconda Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Mine usually starts on the very first crank. This morning it cranked twice before it fired. Not surprised given the temperature, though I suspect my glow plugs are not in their first flush of youth and if I replaced them it would have fired on the first crank without issues. With regard to your situation, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Mine gets used for much the same sort of thing, couple of miles to work and back. Might drive across the estate a few times or nip about in the woods while at work, but I'm rarely driving it for more than five or ten minutes at the most. If you're concerned then just try to do a journey of 30 mins or so once a week, that should put some charge back in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutley Posted February 4, 2012 Author Share Posted February 4, 2012 Thanks for that Retroanaconda.......So if i check and find a Glow plug needs replacing are we to use Genuine or is there an OEM brand to look out for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zardos Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 so how do i put back into the battery quickley what i use to start the motor, as i'm not driving far enough each time to fully charge the thing......or what else is there i can do to help it? The voltage regulator method that the alternator uses to charge the battery is not the best method. You could use a inteligent plug in charger to get better/quicker charging but if you don't want to plug it in to the mains all the time you can get more inteligent alternator charging systems. I found this company claiming better battery management, but I have not used their product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 BERU make them for LR. workshop book says BERU type 01000226129A 12v. any of the independent parts supplier should be able to get or have stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo Murphy Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 It's been a while since I bought any Mutley but last time I needed some I got some Champion glow plugs from Paddocks for about £2.50 each. I'd personally avoid any in a blue box unless someone could verify their origin. HTH Mo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorrick Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Hi Mutley You could always buy a Solar Battery Charger like this one £16ish http://www.amazon.co...ASIN=B000R0UBT8 and leave it on when you are not using the car ? at least its a cheap option and when you are away from the vehicle its putting something back in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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