View Full Version : Battery/Alt


TwistedHumor
12-14-2009, 11:44 PM
Greetings All.

New to the forum. Got a 04 Velicoty Red 8 a couple months ago.

I have a truck and a Harley so I don't drive the 8 as much as I should. The truck will eventually go.

I know the computer and securty system drains some juice, but about how many days can an 8 set before the battery is drained enough where it will not crank?

I am wondering if I have a battery or alternator problem.

I had a similar problem with the truck a while ago. The alternator was putting out 12V but is was not putting out the amps to give a good charge to the battery. If I let it sit for two days, it would not crank. Replaced the Alt and problem fixed

If I let the 8 sit for a week, it will not crank. I know they are meant to be drivin. Will do once I get rid of the truck.

Think I might have an Alt problem?

Thanks

Old Rotor
12-15-2009, 12:10 AM
Greetings All.

New to the forum. Got a 04 Velicoty Red 8 a couple months ago.

I have a truck and a Harley so I don't drive the 8 as much as I should. The truck will eventually go.

I know the computer and securty system drains some juice, but about how many days can an 8 set before the battery is drained enough where it will not crank?

I am wondering if I have a battery or alternator problem.

I had a similar problem with the truck a while ago. The alternator was putting out 12V but is was not putting out the amps to give a good charge to the battery. If I let it sit for two days, it would not crank. Replaced the Alt and problem fixed

If I let the 8 sit for a week, it will not crank. I know they are meant to be drivin. Will do once I get rid of the truck.

Think I might have an Alt problem?

Thanks

I have gone on vacation for four weeks and mine started right up. Get a new Battery....

nycgps
12-15-2009, 06:17 AM
Alt should be putting out 14.2-14.7 V Under load, that means with headlights and stuff on.

if its not, you have a problem.

Also, u need new,good battery.

Mine has been sitting outside for 4 weeks in cold weather (20-40), and it still works.

Huey52
12-15-2009, 06:35 AM
A week or two (or four) is no big deal. As already cited your battery and/or alternator may be weak.

Also make sure your trunk lid isn't ajar. The trunk light will drain the battery overnight!

Nubo
12-15-2009, 11:54 AM
If you plan on leaving the car sit for long periods (more than a few days), get a deep-cycle battery. An ordinary battery will permanently lose some capacity each time it is deeply drained. If you're planning on parking for more than about 3 weeks, I'd look into a disconnect switch, or a "battery tender" to keep it charged. The allowable "dark current" for the RX-8 is 50 milliAmps. That doesn't sound like much, but in the course of 3 weeks, that amounts to 25 Amp-Hours. That's about half of a decent battery's storage capacity right there.

TwistedHumor
12-15-2009, 12:14 PM
If you plan on leaving the car sit for long periods (more than a few days), get a deep-cycle battery. An ordinary battery will permanently lose some capacity each time it is deeply drained. If you're planning on parking for more than about 3 weeks, I'd look into a disconnect switch, or a "battery tender" to keep it charged. The allowable "dark current" for the RX-8 is 50 milliAmps. That doesn't sound like much, but in the course of 3 weeks, that amounts to 25 Amp-Hours. That's about half of a decent battery's storage capacity right there.

Thanks for the replies all.

What is Dark Current? Is that the equivalent of the parasitic draw of the security/computer system? Never heard of the term.

I think I can open the battery, so I will check to water level. I know this is a factor in storage capacity.

I will also take it to AZ and see if they can put their tester on the alt.

nycgps
12-15-2009, 03:26 PM
^^thats pretty much what it means.

Mazurfer
12-15-2009, 03:36 PM
Not the literal definition, but "Dark Current" to our car = current drawn while in "off" mode.

nycgps
12-15-2009, 07:04 PM
Computer ---- Even when you turn the power "off", the Power Supply still has a "standby" power going to the motherboard. that consumes power

Car ---- when your car is off, the computer/radio has to keep some of the settings, so it will ALWAYS use some power from the battery.

TwistedHumor
12-15-2009, 09:38 PM
Computer ---- Even when you turn the power "off", the Power Supply still has a "standby" power going to the motherboard. that consumes power

Car ---- when your car is off, the computer/radio has to keep some of the settings, so it will ALWAYS use some power from the battery.

Yeah, most peoples computers are that way. I kill the terminal strip that kills power to 2 computers, a monitor, modem, router and speakers. Most people don't realize that most electronics (anything with a remote control)sip a little juice when they are "off". Many other things, like the cell phone wall wart that is plugged in but not hooked up the phone, is consuming energy.

I just never heard of the term he used.

Huey52
12-16-2009, 06:52 AM
Yeah and dark energy is also pushing the galaxies apart. It's everywhere. ;)

nycgps
12-16-2009, 07:18 AM
join the dark side ...

Mazurfer
12-16-2009, 10:25 AM
Yeah and dark energy is also pushing the galaxies apart. It's everywhere. ;)


:Eyecrazy: Oh hell yes...........better run for your lives!

Nubo
12-16-2009, 12:56 PM
Yeah and dark energy is also pushing the galaxies apart. It's everywhere. ;)


It's okay, dark matter is pulling them back together.

Huey52
12-16-2009, 01:15 PM
^ perhaps, but then there's the other 10 parallel universes, so .... ;)

btw: In one of those realities the 16X has already been incorporated into a 2-seater, and I'm a very happy camper. :)