Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: Bishops Finger on November 09, 2011, 04:38:00 PM

Title: TJ Battery
Post by: Bishops Finger on November 09, 2011, 04:38:00 PM
Got a new battery for the TJ in January but not used the TJ much... It needs charging/trickle charging every 3-4 days and if things are OK it will go over to trickle after 10-15 minutes. However on a few occaisions Ive forgot and the engine wont turn over and the courtesey lights are dim. Its also been used for winching

So should I
A Carry on as is mindfull the battery may be worn

B By a bespoke trickle charger charge the battery and keep the trickle on

C Buy a new battery and trickle charger

Thoughts please and rollering it black is not an option as it is already black..
Title: Re: TJ Battery
Post by: donk498 on November 09, 2011, 04:50:37 PM
Use it more then it won't have time to go flat :greggmo:
Title: Re: TJ Battery
Post by: wildwood on November 09, 2011, 05:06:31 PM
Buy a C-Tek battery charger conditioner trickle charger thingy........ similar to Optimate.about £47

Got one that I cycle between: The 1Ton .............not used much :jpshakehead: The GC also not used and the bike has a dongle attached incase I don't use it........ (unlikely :icon_biggrin:)

The GC battery had to be recharged regularly like every 8-10 days by a crap charger. now with the C-Tek its reading all lights up and starts the GC like a new battery. Worth the money but then a few £ more buys you a cheap battery.......... choices choices :icon_twisted:
Title: Re: TJ Battery
Post by: gordy on November 09, 2011, 05:15:54 PM
I installed an in-cab switch on the passenger side under the dash in the IOD curcuit so I don't have to remove the fuse when the Jeep gets laid up, give the battery a good charge and then use one of those solar panel battery chargers, I got mine from Maplins, only a tenner and hey...............no dead battery anymore and I only use my Jeep once or twice a month right now cause over here in the east we are still in drought......no rain = no mud.
Title: Re: TJ Battery
Post by: Dtimot8 on November 09, 2011, 06:13:12 PM
Hi Chaps first post
why is it that TJ batteries go flat over a short period of time
Is it the alarm "stuff" (tech term that)
I have to disconnect the battery each time
I do like the maplins' PV idea and will use that
Regards Tim
Title: Re: TJ Battery
Post by: Cockney Boy on November 09, 2011, 06:13:33 PM
I just changed mine for an Optima Yellow top, there designed for high cycle rates and ideal for heavy loads like winching.

I got mine off a guy who has some more going cheap. PM me and I'll send you his details
Title: Re: TJ Battery
Post by: Jonny Jeep on November 09, 2011, 07:44:03 PM
With the normal drain through the IOD fuse it should take several weeks to flatten the battery in a TJ. Mines a daily driver but I've left it for up to three weeks at a time when going on holiday without a problem. If the battery is going completely flat in less than a month say, the battery either has more drain than the normal amount on it, or isn't too healthy.
Title: Re: TJ Battery
Post by: ivanidea on November 09, 2011, 10:51:59 PM
I hope I'm not jinxing myself, but my 10 year old Jeep still has the original battery, which seems to keep it's charge for several weeks.
Title: Re: TJ Battery
Post by: Bishops Finger on November 09, 2011, 11:25:53 PM
A whirlygig of thoughts...ta
Title: Re: TJ Battery
Post by: greggmo on November 09, 2011, 11:34:24 PM
the battery goes flat on manda's tj just the same if it is stood for a while without a run. i am just gonna fit a kill switch to the battery when i got time.
Title: Re: TJ Battery
Post by: Bishops Finger on November 09, 2011, 11:54:28 PM
Ta..Gregg.its giving me some ideas..
Title: Re: TJ Battery
Post by: JamesH on November 10, 2011, 11:22:10 AM
Mine's the same, probably a drain somewhere... stuff that takes a bit of patience to sort, worn battery from winching blah, blah.

C-Tek charger, maintenance thingy now connected all the time. Keeps me happy to know that it's not draining and ruining itself and that when I do come to use it or do some work on it the battery will be full and it will start.
Title: Re: TJ Battery
Post by: Bishops Finger on November 10, 2011, 11:18:51 PM
Ta to CB for his input...bought a trickle charge thingy and am costing up a Varta battery...had one on my old XJ..
Title: Re: TJ Battery
Post by: gazjeep on November 10, 2011, 11:41:41 PM
Ctek jobbie or optimate, kept my original bike battery going for 13 years, nuff said  :icon_winkle:
Title: Re: TJ Battery
Post by: Bishops Finger on November 11, 2011, 01:39:06 AM
Drat went Halfords...waiting to close the deal for a battery post Hawkstone...
Title: Re: TJ Battery
Post by: Dtimot8 on November 11, 2011, 07:02:02 PM
A thanks from me as well chaps
Does the optima battery fit reasonably easy with out any adaption the dimensions look like it should fit
but you cant be to sure
I will PM (if i may) for the battery details - when i get back from the US
Ta Tim
Title: Re: TJ Battery
Post by: Cockney Boy on November 12, 2011, 09:15:56 AM
The Optima battery fits a treat, just make sure you get the one that has the Positive terminal on the left.
Title: Re: TJ Battery
Post by: Bishops Finger on November 12, 2011, 09:19:21 AM
Is that looking from the front or the rear of the TJ?
Title: Re: TJ Battery
Post by: Bishops Finger on November 15, 2011, 11:39:55 PM
Installed a new Varta in the TJ today... :icon_super: Blues
Title: Re: TJ Battery
Post by: Bulldog67 on November 16, 2011, 06:25:10 AM
too late then but the kent off road lot all swear allegiance to this:

http://www.tayna.co.uk/Numax-CXV-X-1000-Amp-P7632.html (http://www.tayna.co.uk/Numax-CXV-X-1000-Amp-P7632.html)
Title: Re: TJ Battery
Post by: JamesH on November 16, 2011, 09:16:22 AM
That's what I've got in mine now. Does the job and was about 1/3 cost of the Odyssey I was going to buy. Is a bit taller and was a squeeze in the XJ though.
Title: Re: TJ Battery
Post by: Bishops Finger on November 16, 2011, 11:43:01 AM
Size is too big for a TJ...strangly Manbat who I got the Varta from also sell Numax..