Toyota Rav 4 Battery.

[blackbear]

I think this is a question for Bothwell and others with the Older models.

I am the proud owner of a 1999 Heat 3 Door Rav 4. But as the years pass on I do not use it often( For health reasons) and the 45AH Battery made in France for Toyota does not like being left on the drive in for 7 days or so with out being turned over. I am over 70 now and I am looking for some advice as to whether there is someway I can prevent the Battery loosing its power . I read in the past that there are other more powerful batteries that fit into the Pan if they have a handle even better. I am hoping that Bothwell who is a avid lover of the model I have or any others can assist.

I am 75 now and just need it to get me about but hate it when I go to use it and blanks me. I know I am a little negligent as I have always followed the old Army adage W.O.F.T.B. Water, Oil, Fuel, Tyres ,& Battery, regularly . However the years are catching up and I am not paying as much attention to the WOFTING I now only do it once a week and not daily. Although I have it serviced regularly. Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated. Regards BJ.

[daveh_rav4]

Hi BJ

I also have a Rav 4.1 3D (Freesport), great vehicle :) If the Rav is not started too often the Battery can drain down just by using the low current devices left active... alarm system etc. Is it possible you can connect a trickle charger to the Battery while it is parked if you have access to a power point near the car... or perhaps one of those solar chargers? Do a Google search for solar/trickle/car Battery chargers!

DaveH

[bothwell_buyer]

Aye - its one of the smallest car batteries I've seen. I'm pricing up batteries for an array of photo-voltaic panels just now and looking at 130ah jobs at £79+ !!

There are more expensive batteries out there from specialist Battery suppliers (search the internet) and you should be able to find one with a higher current/capacity rating to match the size of the Battery tray. With the 4.1 the height of the Battery is maybe important as long as you get the clearance....don't want to melt the bonnet!

Check the battery connections are tight as well as clean. Mine seem to have a habit of slackening off. I'll try and measure my batteries and look for some options to post up later.

[blackbear]

Hello Dave H and Bothwell,

I will try the sources you suggest. Thank you for that info. I have made a cradle for the Battery and it is easier to take it out.Like a Golf club trolley Battery holder. I have put it on charge as I do periodically .I just thought for this winter I would try and find one with a greater AH. I read somewhere maybe the American Toyota site of a gaget that they use in the heavy winter months and it prevents the leakage you have suggested.Maybe its cost and postage from the USA will make it unviable.

A question for you both. What make of Battery do you have that fits the pan and what AH is it . Is it greater than 45AH ???

Anyway Thank you. BJ

[GS John]

Could you not just disconnect the Battery when you know you won't be using the vehicle for a while? That way the clock etc etc can't flatten the Battery. Looking at batteries for my Rav4 at the local Halfords they have 2 options one has a 3 year guarantee the more expensive / higher capacity one has a 4 year guarantee. I think I'll go for the more expensive option.

[MarsKy]

Shop around the internet.

I got the following for my T180: http://www.advancedbatterysupplies.co.uk/carbatteryvartablueg7.html

There are plenty of other sites.

You should be able to either find your model, or size up your Battery, or put your registration in.

Usually next day delivery. Usually 4 years warranty. The Varta batteries also seem to come with the handle.

Maplins also sell solar chargers that you can stick in the front of your windscreen (even in low winter light it should charge).

But if you have a garage, I would go for the proper charger like what Anchorman has.

LIDL's had a charger going cheap recently, but was well thought of (for the price).

[anchorman]

The very best charger you can buy is a CTEK. They come with an adapter which you can just unplug from your Battery and they can be left on charge indefinitely. You can even get an adapter to fit on your dash that will tell you with coloured lights what the state of charge is. Its hard to say if your Battery is at fault as there is a heavy duty discharge test that needs doing. However, most good tyre centres or spares shops will do it for you FOC.

And by the way, you have my utmost respect if you are looking after your RAV so well at the age of 75. If you are in my area I would be happy to do the test or fit the CTEK charger for you.

[aiberdonian]

BJ, I have 096 (72 AH) batteries with handles fitted to both my 4.1 RAVs

The Battery box needs to have the recess for the 015 Battery filled in with a piece of 1/2" ply to bring it up level and a piece of non slip rubber matting placed across it to stop Battery sliding about.

The retaining clamp needs to have the outer holes for the clamp rods, which are just long enough, filed out slightly and the locating brackets moved to the outermost holes to clear the outer edge of the battery.

I added a 4" extension to the live lead and made a new earth lead about 10" long as the posts are at the opposite side of the battery but there is still enough clearance.

I've never had any problem with them in 5 years on the 2000 GXS nor on the 1999 EX which is now on it's third winter.

[bothwell_buyer]

looks like a good fix.

I've not really been out as the weather is terrible here so haven't measured the Battery on the 1994 cars.

[blackbear]

Hello Anchorman.

Firstly thank you for the reply and your comments and your advice. I looked at the CTEK on ebay and there are so many. Can you explain how it works and advise me with regard to the correct model for my Rav 4. I have charged up my battery and it is ok. It was replaced 1n August 2009 and has been ok since then subject to it leaking power when standing in the driveway, an overnight charge does the trick. However it is an old fashioned German Charger and your CTEK suggested I should upgrade. So any info would be grateful. I have also had some info from others on the thread which I will collate and then decide which way to go.

As for your offer I would love to be nearby and come and take it up but alas I live in Hornchurch in Essex

and I am still recovering from open Heart surgery. Ces't la vie. So if you have the time with your pre knowledge of CTECK Perhaps you have knowledge if there is a booklet that I could read up on the model you suggest I get. Anyway thank you again . Regards BJ

The very best charger you can buy is a CTEK. They come with an adapter which you can just unplug from your battery and they can be left on charge indefinitely. You can even get an adapter to fit on your dash that will tell you with coloured lights what the state of charge is. Its hard to say if your battery is at fault as there is a heavy duty discharge test that needs doing. However, most good tyre centres or spares shops will do it for you FOC.

And by the way, you have my utmost respect if you are looking after your RAV so well at the age of 75. If you are in my area I would be happy to do the test or fit the CTEK charger for you.

[blackbear]

Hello Aiberdonian,

And all the other lads for the input. Thank you all I have printed out your advice and will pursue it all

and see what is best for me. Aiberdonian one question. What does 096 mean. and what make are your 72AH

batteries. Thank you. BJ

BJ, I have 096 (72 AH) batteries with handles fitted to both my 4.1 RAVs

The battery box needs to have the recess for the 015 battery filled in with a piece of 1/2" ply to bring it up level and a piece of non slip rubber matting placed across it to stop battery sliding about.

The retaining clamp needs to have the outer holes for the clamp rods, which are just long enough, filed out slightly and the locating brackets moved to the outermost holes to clear the outer edge of the battery.

I added a 4" extension to the live lead and made a new earth lead about 10" long as the posts are at the opposite side of the battery but there is still enough clearance.

I've never had any problem with them in 5 years on the 2000 GXS nor on the 1999 EX which is now on it's third winter.

[anchorman]

The CTEK 4003 is probably the best. The problem with a convetional charger is that if left, it will overcharge the Battery but these intelligent chargers will first of all condition the Battery then after charging will cycle it to keep it healthy. This is the charger;

http://www.ctek.com/en-gb/consumer/mxs-4003.aspx

Watch this movie to see more about it;

There is also another handy accessory (about £20) which allows you to view the condition of the Battery by an LED colour light scheme. You mount it on the dash and you can also plug in the charger there as well. If I were using the battery very infrequently I wouldn't hesitate.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CTEK-XS3600-XS800-XS7000-XS4003-CONNECT-AND-CHARGE-/120541538122?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item1c10d5e74a

[GS John]

I've got one of these: http://www.ctek.com/en-gb/consumer/xs-800.aspx for my bike and gets a from me as I can leave it on all the time it's not being used. Used the monitors too and they do a good job of giving an idea of the state of the Battery.

[aiberdonian]

BJ

096 refers to the Battery type - dimensions, capacity, rating and type and position of the posts.

At the moment I appear to have an un-named one in the EX (I just buy whatever the local factor has in stock).

There's a 'DYNAMIC' in the GXS and a 'VARTA' in the Fordson Dexta.

First 096 was bought for the Dexta and I have adapted various cars to take this size over the years - Jag based kit-car, Peugeot 205 Diesel, Ford Granada and now the RAV's and one in the trailer tent so that there should be at least 2 spare batteries available if any of them pack up.

Hello Aiberdonian,

And all the other lads for the input. Thank you all I have printed out your advice and will pursue it all

and see what is best for me. Aiberdonian one question. What does 096 mean. and what make are your 72AH

batteries. Thank you. BJ

BJ, I have 096 (72 AH) batteries with handles fitted to both my 4.1 RAVs

The battery box needs to have the recess for the 015 battery filled in with a piece of 1/2" ply to bring it up level and a piece of non slip rubber matting placed across it to stop battery sliding about.

The retaining clamp needs to have the outer holes for the clamp rods, which are just long enough, filed out slightly and the locating brackets moved to the outermost holes to clear the outer edge of the battery.

I added a 4" extension to the live lead and made a new earth lead about 10" long as the posts are at the opposite side of the battery but there is still enough clearance.

I've never had any problem with them in 5 years on the 2000 GXS nor on the 1999 EX which is now on it's third winter.

[blackbear]

Hello Anchorman, Thank you for the information and especially to the You Tube item. First time on You Tube . What a well of info about ctek and other things you can add to your vehicle in this eletronic age. When I was at school they introducted us to the noise transference along a bit of cat gut. How the world has progressed ?? . I digress. I have checked out the ctek and extra fitting and will follow the course you suggest. One thing I saw on the You Tube I would value some advice on is this" Toyota electronics are activated through the ignition key and this in turn makes the cigarette lighter live. IT has been said that a number of cars have a 24 hour live connection through the cigarette lighter to the battery and therefore you can connect the ctek charger

directly into the battery and charge it up. You cannot do this with Toyota. In you tube it shows you a way to make the cigarette permantely live without the need to use the ingnition key. It allows you to fit in a small double unit to cover both the ctek charger and a USB to charge up telephones etc. The connector you led me too is just for the charger(and LED of course) . I realise it would be your connector that would be simpler,

Do you think that one of the double holders would fit onto you connecter and allow the charger to work when needed and still allow the other to be used to charge up through a USB. Or I am I getting a bit into deep water here. A bit Boffinish. Regards BJ

The CTEK 4003 is probably the best. The problem with a convetional charger is that if left, it will overcharge the battery but these intelligent chargers will first of all condition the battery then after charging will cycle it to keep it healthy. This is the charger;

http://www.ctek.com/en-gb/consumer/mxs-4003.aspx

Watch this movie to see more about it;

There is also another handy accessory (about £20) which allows you to view the condition of the battery by an LED colour light scheme. You mount it on the dash and you can also plug in the charger there as well. If I were using the battery very infrequently I wouldn't hesitate.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CTEK-XS3600-XS800-XS7000-XS4003-CONNECT-AND-CHARGE-/120541538122?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item1c10d5e74a

[anchorman]

Hi BJ

The mod for the cigarette lighter requires one of the relays to be bypassed. If you are confident doing that then yes it would work. However, it comes with a quick release plug which could be run into the car (might need the wires extending a bit) which would allow you to plug it in inside the car anyway.

Regards.

[blackbear]

Hello Anchorman, thank you again . I have just bought the XS4003 from Amazon. 57 pounds sterling. I expect it soon. When I have rigged it up and seen how it works I will decide about the CTE 56380 comfort panel LED unit you mentioned. It is 15.99 in amazon So 4 pounds less than ebay. The review in amazon states that the 4003 has an LED indicator with it. The reviewer was comparing it to his award winning ctek 3600. He was very comprehensive and bought the new 4003, and as the 4003 is a follow on and updated with added features for a few more pounds I went for this having taken in your advice and read the other positive reviews including Auto Express on the 3600 " Top of the POPs 2009". All I have to do now is pray that I make 80 as the 4003 is guaranteed for 5 years. So I can look forward to my Rav's 16th Birthday. As a matter of interest if I needed to add extension wire what size would (thickness I mean) I need. Would ciger extension leads do ???. I dont smoke I saw the cigar extensions on Ebay.

Anyway Thank you and all the lads for the advice. It is greatly appreciated especially at this " Foggy " time of life. Regards BJ.

Hi BJ

The mod for the cigarette lighter requires one of the relays to be bypassed. If you are confident doing that then yes it would work. However, it comes with a quick release plug which could be run into the car (might need the wires extending a bit) which would allow you to plug it in inside the car anyway.

Regards.

[anchorman]

You have the best charger with the 4003 because it conditions the Battery and also cycles it to keep it healthy. The LED lead sonds like a good buy. For extending the wire you need 1mm square cable mininmum. I don't know what the cigar lighter wire is. I would wait until you get the CTEK bits first.

I hope you get many years beyong the warranty period!!!

[geomowat]

Yes, I barely get to 1,000 miles between MoTs and find that I also have the problem of the Battery discharging at a fairly rapid rate (even with a fairly new one and if the alarm etc. is left switched off as is possible in this part of the world where most people do not even lock their cars).

I was thinking of solving the problem with a cheap and cheerful portable jump starter that might be much easier to keep fully charged and used to start the RAV. There is quite a cheap one going at Maplins at the moment on

http://www.maplin.co...?ModuleNo=49038

[anchorman]

It still leaves you with a low and degrading Battery. You really need to keep it charged and cycled.

[blackbear]

Hello Anchorman, and also geomowat in Orkney.

Anchorman,

The cteck XS multi 4003 arrived and I also bought the led indicator that fits onto the battery

charger with comfort connector CTE56382 (6.30 sterling).This fits onto the battery under the bonnet. I did not want to spend the time and energy fitting the other one into the cabin. I used it and it is brillant just what I needed. Just before the big snow here in Essex. However when I first read the postings initally regarding my search for advice someone mentioned about driving the car right up to the garage door if you had the car parked outside in order to make the connections. My Garage is full of lathes and other hobby gear so I have to leave my car out in the drive. To overcome the distance between the 4003 charger which has long battery connecting lead and a shorter mains supply lead I did the following. I used aa electrical cable as for Lawnmowers and fitted a 1 gang trailing socket( E bay )to one end and fitted it into a PLUG POD

also Ebay and then fitted the three pin plug into the socket and closed up the plug pod and this makes it watertight.

I just run it out to the car and leave it under the bumper close the bonnet down and "Bobs your uncle" When not being used for this purpose the lead and pod become an extension lead for any other purpose.

Firstly Thanks to you No humping and carrying a heavy battery and for Geo Mowat in Orkney. This would suit your purpose especially on " A cauld an windy day". Blackbear

It still leaves you with a low and degrading battery. You really need to keep it charged and cycled

[anchorman]

Excellent solution blackbear and you will always have a healthy charged Battery.

[bothwell_buyer]

I can see a career opportunity for someone.... a bit like being a dog-walker perhaps, but a RAV-Driver service :lol: