Re: Battery drains

[Miro Stromar <crestest@xxxxxxxxx>]

>Date: Tue, 19 Nov 2002 08:31:31 -0500
>From: "Robert A. Virzi" <bob.virzi@domain.elided>
>Subject: <E36> Battery drains
>
>Problem:  If the car sits for any extended period of time (2 - 4 
>days) without running, the battery is too weak to start the car.  Not 
>quite dead, but not enough juice to start, either.
>
>Background:  We have had an ongoing problem in my wife's 318 since we 
>got it in '97.  She always runs a radar detector which stays on even 
>when the car is off.  She used to also keep her cell phone plugged in 
>and charging, but no longer does so.  We are on the third, maybe 
>fourth, battery.
>

Robert, I had similar experience  with my 1995 318i.

Upon returning from a two week absence, the battery was dead solid, not 
even a klick on
start attempt;
The cause, I left my Valentine plugged in!

Then I did some math:

the unit draws 250mA, i.a. .25A in standby mode.
i.e. it takes 4 hrs  to drain 1 Amperhour, or 6 Ah per day.

The capacity of stock unit is 65 Ah.! So, in ten days it is dead solid.

Even after 4 days, as you say, it will lose 24 Ah, almost 1/2 half!

Solution: I rigged my valentine unit in an ignition/swithced circuit 
(Sunroof motor), so the electricity is
disconnected when engine is turned off.

No more problem ever
.p.s. if you have the little rechargable lamp in glove comp., it will 
also draw current!

Best regards,

Miro Stromar, 
23 Halbrook Dr.S.W.
Calgary Alberta, 
Canada T2V-3H5

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