2 batteries? Electrical problem I think........

[shoosty]

My Delica Exceed with a lot of power options is not starting due to drained batteries........ (once jump started I can run fine) I have 2 of them (batteries) and when I temporarily disconnect the one closest to passenger door my Delica can be started many hours later no problem......

1. Do BOTH batteries turn the starter or just one?
2. Do I have a short somewhere that is causing batteries to drain or do I just need to replace 1 or 2 of them?
3. Are there any common electrical shorts that effect Delicas that I can check easily? (fuses?)

wondering.....

[delica 304]

It sounds like one battery is dead, acting as a resistance in your system. I would suggest replacing the suspect battery. Actually, do you know how old the batteries are? Assuming that they were purchased at the same time, if one is dead, the other one is probably not long for the world. Come to think of it, you should probably replace both (the good battery has undoubtedly been weakened by having to deal with the dead one)

Just my .5 cents

[Artacoma]

Stock setup is both batteries are running everything, but some people rewire them to have one battery for starting and the other for accessories. If yours has been rewired it should be obvious in the battery compartment.Also a lot of Delis come with just one battery so If thats working for you don't sweat it , just uncouple one and keep an eye out for a replacement on sale.

cheers

[g_man1972]

Stock setup is both batteries are running everything, but some people rewire them to have one battery for starting and the other for accessories.

I like that idea. That way you could keep the stereo, chargers, ect going for hours and not worry about being able to start up the next morning. I assume it would get charged back up again after its running right? Has how to do this been discussed somewhere? Quick search didn't turn up anything.

Good for peace of mind when out in the wilderness.
PS sorry for hijacking thread

[shoosty]

Good beta there, thank you.......Pretty sure its a stock setup here on both batteries. The deal is one battery was replaced only last month when I bought it off the previous owner. He mentioned the car was having the same problems which was why he bought a new battery. Of course it makes sense that both batteries should have been replaced and now the NEW battery is paying for it........the suspect battery is a Delphi original wih Japanese writing on it. I am charging the new battery back up now and will try to function for the time being with only one.

More questions:

1. Is a 2 battery Delica model primarily meant for cold winter starting?

2. And.....now that it is warm weather conditions for the next 4-5 months can I use just one battery (or forever after for that matter)? Or is my Delica mostly needing the 2 battery set up?
(I have a cooler box, power moonroof and windows that seem like the only big power drains)

[Artacoma]

A lot but not all diesels have two batteries,cold weather starting would be the biggest issue but as long as you are driving more than a km or two on your average trip I think one decent battery should be good. Mine werent taking a charge so I replaced both with spiral cell type last summer and I use an inverter for cell phone/laptop chargers and stuff and haven't had any issues. Ive seen wiring kits at Crappy T for secondary batteries for RV type of use , Ive been thinking of seperating the batteries but it hasn't happened yet. My opinion for things like batteries and tools you need to rely on is get the best you can afford so ya only have to cry once.

cheers

[TardisDeli]

Hi Shoosty, if you are near Burnaby, come visit our house. Jay can check your batteries and wiring quickly, for free of course, and give our very OPINIONATED advice (from much experience).

We FIRMLY believe in ONE good big battery , a 27 series, versus 2 smaller 24 series batteries. Higher starting cranking power with 1 27 vs 2 24's. The metal battery section of all the deli's is the same size.

I am very battery needy - 1000 watt inverter, microwave, electric blanket, electric kettle, electric cooler -- hey I'm not the Princess, you should see what he NEEDS - dvd player, gps, radio(s). We have a very sturdy setup wired by Jay.

Make sure the battery connections and wires are good, 2 guage not crappy wire that drops voltage. Jay uses Edmonds Battery in burnaby on Edmonds, good quality great prices (and no we have no "connection" to them).

Also make sure your alternator is charging properly -- if your dashboard lights sort of dim and glow erratically, that shows alternator not so good.

Plug in a charger if you're only doing city driving, as you probably arent charging the battery 100 percent. Don't leave on too long if it's not a newer "smart charger".

Best way to check your battery is with the electrolyte fluid bulb tester thingy (very messy and corrosive fluid).

Do you have a good ground/earth electrically speaking. Are you having any other wierd electrical such as headlight issues, or anything wierd on dashboard which might point to other problems, even just a niggly feeling about something odd ?

You can use one of those cheap power packs to power your 12 volt appliances when not running engine, so you don't drain your battery.

I believe in Lead Acid old fashioned batteries as longer life, and take more charges, than the fancy new gel or gmf batteries. Unless you plan to sleep in your battery compartment -- joke --then you don't need fancy batteries.

Feel free to send PM private message to us.

Cheers, Christine The Opinionated One.