TwistedHumor

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

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

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

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

iTrader: (2)

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

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

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

iTrader: (1)

^^thats pretty much what it means.

Mazurfer

Not the literal definition, but "Dark Current" to our car = current drawn while in "off" mode.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

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

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

iTrader: (2)

Yeah and dark energy is also pushing the galaxies apart. It's everywhere.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

join the dark side ...

Mazurfer

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

Nubo

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

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

^ 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.