New Battery Flat After 2 Weeks Of Non-Use

[Catweazle]

Had to have a new Battery just before Christmas as the 6 year old original one was turning the engine over slower and slower until one day it gave up the ghost. Replaced it with a Yuasa one (had to get the first one I could find owing to needing the car that day) but after the last 2 weeks of not using the RAV have found that it was totally flat today, so flat that the alarm went off when I unlocked the door. Went out and bought a charger which is supposed to take 8 - 10 hours to charge but found that it has switched off after only 4 and says that the Battery is fully charged.

Have I got a duff Battery or does the RAV draw enough current to drain it in 2 weeks of sitting on the driveway?

[Jamesbelfast]

The only way to know if you've got a duff Battery is to have it load tested using the correct test equipment.

It is not unusual for a Battery to run down when not in use even if it ain't connected to the car.

[IanXT4]

Yuasa batteries are normally excellent, I am not a great fan of the Battery capacity in a 4.2 Rav but I think something may possibly be wrong.

Couple of thoughts/ideas.

Are your Battery connections clean and tight ?

Did you do a number of short journeys before the 2 week lay-off that could have left the Battery low ?

Is there anything that could cause a parasitic drain other than the alarm ?

If everything seems in order then I agree with James it might be a good idea to get the battery load tested where you bought it.

I have found my Ravs battery/capacity more sensitive to lack of use than any car I have ever owned. This has led me to buy a multi-stage charger for the cold weather and I use it if the Rav is not used for more than a few days.

However, while I have had problems starting I have never had a flat battery when opening the car with the key. So maybe you have another problem as well ?

[anchorman]

I agree with all these comments. You need to TRICKLE charge it for at least 12 hours - preferably 24 then have the Battery drop tested. You can also connect an ameter to the Battery to see if there is a drain. To do this, lock the doors and leave the vehilce for about 5 mins to let all the ECUs power down.

If you do go back to Yuasa for another Battery, don't forget the diesel battery with a much higher capacity will fit. You just turn the clamp upside down and use the outer 2 holes.

[baz1631]

I agree with all these comments. You need to TRICKLE charge it for at least 12 hours - preferably 24 then have the battery drop tested. You can also connect an ameter to the battery to see if there is a drain. To do this, lock the doors and leave the vehilce for about 5 mins to let all the ECUs power down.

If you do go back to Yuasa for another battery, don't forget the diesel battery with a much higher capacity will fit. You just turn the clamp upside down and use the outer 2 holes.

I've had my Battery disconnected for nearly 6 mths now due to the car being SORN 'd. I check it maybe every couple of weeks and it still manages to power the electrics on the car, and pretty sure it'll start no problem......"famous last words!".not sure what make it is @ the moment. Maybe I'm just lucky!

[Big Kev]

I agree with all these comments. You need to TRICKLE charge it for at least 12 hours - preferably 24 then have the battery drop tested. You can also connect an ameter to the battery to see if there is a drain. To do this, lock the doors and leave the vehilce for about 5 mins to let all the ECUs power down.

If you do go back to Yuasa for another battery, don't forget the diesel battery with a much higher capacity will fit. You just turn the clamp upside down and use the outer 2 holes.

.....which is exactly what I showed Anchorman how to do on my wife's petrol 3 door.....he fitted a full size Battery in place of the glorified motorcycle one that was in the car. Again, my hands were spotless at the end of the job, but my wallet was lighter by £90.00 at Halfraud's with a 3 year guarantee.

Now ye just talk nicely to the Battery and it starts the car with gutso....that wee Battery would never have lasted through those temperatures.

Big Kev

[IanXT4]

Anyone got a picture of the Diesel Battery fitted to the Petrol.

I just looked at mine and I am struggling to imagine how placing the clamp upside down will work ?

(The lower mounting hole for the rod holding the bracket is the exact width of the Battery )

Did you also bin the plastic Battery tray ?

[Big Kev]

Anyone got a picture of the Diesel battery fitted to the Petrol.

I just looked at mine and I am struggling to imagine how placing the clamp upside down will work ?

(The lower mounting hole for the rod holding the bracket is the exact width of the battery )

Did you also bin the plastic battery tray ?

Will try and get a photo tooked today. Not sure if it's classed as the "diesel" Battery, but it's certainly upgraded from the original and full size, still fitting the Battery tray (metal). What is this plastic one whom which you refer to...?

Big Kev

[IanXT4]

Thanks,

On mine the Battery rests on a removable plastic tray. The tray is about 2 cm larger than the Battery, but it has a molded recess that the Battery fits.

Either side of the battery is a hole through the plastic tray and battery base(metal base), the support bar hook goes through this hole then up to the clamp.

What is the AH rating of the battery you managed to fit, I would love to fit something significantly bigger.

[Big Kev]

Thanks,

On mine the battery rests on a removable plastic tray. The tray is about 2 cm larger than the battery, but it has a molded recess that the battery fits.

Either side of the battery is a hole through the plastic tray and battery base(metal base), the support bar hook goes through this hole then up to the clamp.

What is the AH rating of the battery you managed to fit, I would love to fit something significantly bigger.

Gubber it, Ian....totally forgot to foatygraph said Battery.....car away out for tonight (wife in it, not just itself....) Will do tomorrow and report. Sincere sorry bits,

Big Kev

[anchorman]

Fairly sure it fits in the plastic tray. Kev - it was the diesel Battery

[Big Kev]

Attached are photos which I hope IanXT4 finds of use, and Anchorman correct in that plastic tray is still supporting in situ, but my camera skills would not cover....

As you can see, the new Battery is a Halfraud's HB 072 / 510 AMP (EN)....no reference made to what "ah" rating is....strange???

The previous Toyota small Battery was a 45ah / 330AMP (EN)...so more than 50% "AMP (EN)" uplift....?

Anchs moved the two clamps which sit on the Battery shoulders out by one hole, and all fitted as if it should always have been a full size battery.

any more photos required, just shout.

Big Kev

[anchorman]

Kev

Smear some vaseline around that earth lead clamp

[Big Kev]

Will do Boss....it was me what cleaned it, then forgot to re-cover....

Big Kev

[IanXT4]

Kev

Many thanks for taking the pictures, If you get the chance I would really like to see where the clamps go at the base of the Battery.

Ian

[Big Kev]

Will shine my halogen workeez light under, Ian, and have anurra go.

Big Kev

[anchorman]

They just hook around the outside of the carrier. They will only go one way and you'll work it out if you look.