Russ's 2.1 SED Auto now in Mandarin

[White Exec]

So in support, the XM has eaten its battery. My fault... Not used it enough.

Hi Russ,

http://www.amazon.co.uk/CTEK-MXS-3-8-Fu ... ek+mxs+3.8

I bought one of these in 2014, after some web searching for chargers that could be left connected and operating for indefinite periods. Many similar (and cheaper) devices on the market; this one gets consistently top reviews.

Ideal where a vehicle is only used irregularly. CTEK site gives full technical details. Other models available with higher and lower peak ratings.

CTEK MXS 3.8 battery charger.jpg

[Dean]

I feel your pain Russ, i unwrapped mine over chistmas as it was a nice day and i wanted to do the engine mount again .
I have a 1.5w solar charger connected and the car has been sat maybe a month tops, the battery which was new in the spring was dead, 1.8v!
Hooked the charger up and it came up to 12.2v within an hour, took a charge for a further 8 hours and is now sitting happy at 13.9v after 24 hrs disconnected from the charger so i dodged a bullet there i think, not sure how it happened though, there was nothing left on, was going to check current drawn but unfortunatly the internal fuse is blown in my electrickery measure and it wont work on the amps settings.

I am angling after a battery conditioner/charger but its just been xmas and £40 notes arent hanging off trees at the moment unfortunatly.

D

[russ92xmsed]

Thanks Chris for the link... Interesting. It's what I really need to be honest. A solar trickle charger would be ideal, then I don't have to bung the car in the garage, which is a real PITA.

AHHH, not you too Dean. I have two batteries which seem to be on a rotational basis!.. I have given the spare a good charge today, and will continue tomorrow and see if it works. Otherwise I'll try charging the one in the car again. My issue is a little blinking LED for the alarm, it drains the battery quicker. And if all else fails, new battery.

[Dean]

I've got a 60w solar panel and a charge controller to replace the little 1.5w panel, just need time to mount it on the roof and wire it up, I have my suspicion the cheap 1.5w jobbie is discharging the battery as it isnt fitted with a diode but I will see in a minute when I go and unwrap it to start getting the driveshafts out.

D

[White Exec]

Gabor lists the total drain (quiescent) current for a 2.5 as totalling approx. 34mA.
Presume 2.1 is not a lot different.
This equates to about 0.5W at a charging voltage of 14.4v. So Dean's 1.5W solar charger should, in theory, be able to keep up - given that the hours of decent daylight (good sunlight??) are not continuous.
One of the reasons I've given solar chargers a miss is that many of them, especially the cheap ones, are electrically a bit basic, and lack decent control and regulation.

Do rate the CTEK unit though; it's obviously well thought through. Beware cheap look-alikes, of which there are plenty! Worth, I think, the inconvenience of a mains lead.

[cxprestigeauto]

I use a CTEK on my Sprite during the winter lay up. They come with two sets on connectors, one that attaches permenantly and one that uses crocodile clips.

Excellent piece of kit.

Rob

[russ92xmsed]

New battery fitted. More powerful than the last...096 with a stronger cranking power. But oddly, it just about started. Of course it hasn't been ran since before Christmas.. I hang my head in shame!... So maybe it's just cold and damp, or the battery needed charging up a bit. I took it for a good run and it went very well. I'm thinking the ignition switch is not in the rudest of health.

The mandarin has never really cold started well since I got it. On the button when all warmed up. Yet the grey xm when it had its pump resealed, cold started on the button. Infact couldn't of started better, even after being bashed up. But now with that engine in the mandarin, it's not starting great. All I can put it down too is a classic failing ignition switch. So at some point I will fit the other switch and get my folding key back! All I can think off.

[Dean]

Worn starter motor? Mine used to crank slow even with a new battery, fitted new valeo starter and it flies when being cranked since then.

D

[White Exec]

Also check glow plugs, and glowplug relay. Look for overheated connections and cable. Glowplug relay bad connections externally, dirty contacts internally.
Check also that glowplugs are being kept energised for the correct length of time (temperature dependent). A post somewhere on here gives time/temp graph. Check time with meter or testlamp - dash light goes off much earlier than the plugs.
If cold engine starts better with a double- or triple-use of the glowplugs, then they or the system is suspect.

[russ92xmsed]

Well, the startermotor was strong as an Ox, it did fly when in the grey car. So why it has gone bad not sure. I doubt it. The mandarins was going. I'm quite sure of that.
Glow plugs were new or at least working well in 2014. I might change them. Leak off pipes and all other fuel pipes are new.
Glow plug relay could be at fault. Will test the spare tomorrow if the weather behaves. It stays on for quite a while though.
One thing that I will check is that it is starting on hot setting. Ran out of light today to see. That cause crap starting.
Fuel filter is or should be fine. Newish filter in it.
This is why I'm thinking ignition switch...