Generator woes

[sangsterino]

I am having problems with the battery on my generator running flat after about 2 months. What could be draining the power with it? Everytime it is used everything is switched off so there is no outside source draining the power. How can I go about keeping it topped up with power? but there is no mains power points close to where it is stored.

[big-all]

how old is the battery!!

is the gen running every few days!!
does your battery allow you to check the electrolite[acid] if so check the levels and top up with distilled water if nessesery

[dewaltdisney]

If it has an alternator is it the diode pack shorting the battery?

DWD

[sangsterino]

It doens't get used regularily, but it should be once a week. It is a sealed battery so can't check if the levels are goosed. I will check out to see if it has an alternator later today and see what else I can see about it.

[big-all]

how old is the battery!!

[sangsterino]

The battery is not very old, maybe a year. The generator can only be 3 years old because it was all bought new for the van which is a 57 plate. I went and got some more details on it to. It is a Telair diesel energy 2504D. It is made in Germany and has a HATZ diesel engine in it. The battery attached at present is a Halfords leisure battery 70. It also has attached a MAYPOLE (quality accessory) 3.8Amp electronic charger MP7424. It started no bother with me this morning but has been a pain in the past.

[kellys_eye]

hmmmm, that's notable .... "Halfords"....

the number of times I've heard of Halfords batteries being dodgy is quite impressive .

I'd get a new battery first but check for your local 'proper' battery centre and take the old one along for a decent test before committing to a new one. They'll advise.

[sangsterino]

Very true I never bought the batteries just mearly taking over the problem, I will check that out.

[Hitch]

A leisure battery..... sounds wrong to me.

A leisure battery differs to a normal battery, a normal car/bike type battery will crank untill it has no more guts left, volts diminishing along with current. A leisure battery, likes to stay at a constant voltage, but the current drops away, then the voltage drops.

Thats what i have always ben told anyway. Not really what you want on a battery used for cranking.

[kellys_eye]

Leisure batteries are intended for long-drain, low-current use.

Conventional lead-acid (starter) batteries are intended for high current, short period operation.

Check the CCA (cold crank amperage) to make sure it's suitable for your starter - not that this is the casue of the 'drain'.

[sangsterino]

Cheers very much I'll check that out later on.