Well, been a good day so far. Not.

Freezing cold. Tried the FBH, still not working obviously...

Start up, all good.
Programmed defrost on, so front and rear heated screens, heated mirrors, fans.
2 x heated seats on.
Heated wheel on.
Lights on.
Radio on.
Drive one mile, drop daughter off, one mile back again
Car off.

All good so far...

40 minutes later, tried to start - not enough juice to crank. Really? That lot will be quite a drain, I suppose, but it's part of the design. How do I tell if the battery is shot? It's the original, almost certainty.

Battery now on charge; I read somewhere that I need a special charger, any advice on this? Graham

Formerly known as Antoniasdad

GONE: TDV8 FFRR Vogue in Stornoway Grey / Jet
TDV6 Discovery 3 in Stornoway Grey / Alpaca

Last edited by A1GSS on 28th Nov 2011 3:01pm. Edited 1 time in total

I think the current school of thought is that once a battery reaches a certain age, and once it's deepy discharged, no amount of recharging will ensure it will remain charged, and replacement is probably your best course of action.
 Got - 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

I think that ctek make the best technologically up to date battery charges, this one is fantastic:

http://www.ctek.com/gb/en/chargers/MXS%207.0

It can test and let you know if the battery is indeed shafted,

however, if you have a faulty battery, then It's probably just worth coughing up the 120 squids for a replacement.
I've had similar issues in the past with a faulty battery, and to cut a long story short once replaced it has been perfect ever since (1.5 years so far)

Good luck MY2007 Vogue SE TDV8 - Tonga Green / Sand
MY2005 Discovery 3 - Silver / Biege

Right, thanks. If it is shot I'll get a new one fitted on Weds whilst it's in having the alarm reset...

thinks.... could that be related? and, does the park cabin heater cut out if battery voltage is low?

Wonder if these are all related?

Hum. Graham

Formerly known as Antoniasdad

GONE: TDV8 FFRR Vogue in Stornoway Grey / Jet
TDV6 Discovery 3 in Stornoway Grey / Alpaca

I use the FBH daily these days, and no issues at all. In the past , when I had the suspect battery, If id use the FBH id end with a flat battery.

As "alanm_3" has said, with acid batteries, once they go below a certain threshold, they never return to a proper full charge.

Get a new Battery fitted! MY2007 Vogue SE TDV8 - Tonga Green / Sand
MY2005 Discovery 3 - Silver / Biege

Just to second sAppie's recommendation re Ctek MXS7 battery charger.

I have one with a cigarette lighter plug accessory which you can get also from ctek to match the connector. Just make sure the socket is permanently live. If the cabin socket isn't live then the luggage compartment socket should be. My cabin cig lighter is live. Whenever I leave the vehicle for over a week I plug it in to the socket between the seats, lay the cable under the passenger door and shut it then plug the other end in to the mains. I just leave the unit set to 'normal' it does everything and can be left indefinitely. Easy to unplug by me or the wife whoever next uses it. No need to go near the battery. Works great. Last year I left the vehicle in the garage for four months, unplugged, started up and drove off.  2007 TDV8 Vogue SE
Previous:
4.4 HSE
P38 4.6 HSE
Classic 3.9
90 County
Series3 Lightweight

Thanks for the charger tips  Graham

Formerly known as Antoniasdad

GONE: TDV8 FFRR Vogue in Stornoway Grey / Jet
TDV6 Discovery 3 in Stornoway Grey / Alpaca

It's a tough call, £100+ for a charger that might not charge a duff battery, so another £100+ on a new battery at that point, or £100+ on a new battery with no real need for a charger!

Given the amount of problems people have had with batteries around the age you car is, I would just go for the battery personally, but as they say, you pays your money..........  Got - 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

Last edited by alanm_3 on 28th Nov 2011 3:57pm. Edited 1 time in total

Well, yes. I already thought of that but I've got a D3 too... so it's £50 per car. Graham

Formerly known as Antoniasdad

GONE: TDV8 FFRR Vogue in Stornoway Grey / Jet
TDV6 Discovery 3 in Stornoway Grey / Alpaca

I would say the new battery may be the priority with the charger next to keep the battery in good nick over the long run, assuming there are no current leaks anywhere. 2007 TDV8 Vogue SE
Previous:
4.4 HSE
P38 4.6 HSE
Classic 3.9
90 County
Series3 Lightweight

Well, after about 7 hours on charge it fired first time. Phew.

Battery still not fully charged though, so will leave on charge overnight, and I think I'll treat it to a new one on Wednesday.

One odd thing though - the "flat battery"' thing has destroyed all my carefully selected and pre-set radio stations.  Graham

Formerly known as Antoniasdad

GONE: TDV8 FFRR Vogue in Stornoway Grey / Jet
TDV6 Discovery 3 in Stornoway Grey / Alpaca