Member Since: 05 Sep 2014
Location: Newquay
Posts: 1014
Battery charging calamity.
You know you can do a job, then wished you hadn't? Well I had that very thought after charging the battery last night.
Yesterday morning, I started the D3 and got the old "HDC Failure, Special Programmes Cancelled" flash up on the screen.
This means that it's time to charge the battery with a maintenance charge. I only do short trips so I put this quirk down to that. Charging the battery for 12 hrs does the trick for a month or so.
So I popped the bonnet, removed the cover and disconnected the + terminal. I know the - is the correct terminal to remove, however that isn't so easy as it's tucked away in an awkward position.
So the power to the vehicle is cut, this means locking the doors manually, that's easy. I then hooked up my charger, letting the bonnet close onto the catches without them latching. I've done this same routine a couple of times previously.
Knowing all is well I go inside for the evening. This morning I decided to power the old girl up again, knowing the battery has had a solid 14 hrs charge. I go to lift the bonnet and it's stuck. One of the catches has managed to latch in the night. We did have some strong gusts of wind in the night so I can only assume that was the cause. Oh I think to myself. Never mind I'll get in through the passenger door. I pop off the cover and insert the key. Well the key wouldn't turn that lock far enough to actually release the lock. I tried WD40, silicone spray and spray grease, nothing helped. I tried a bit more force and broke the key!!
Lucky the blade came out the lock but the door remained firmly locked. So now I'm stuck. The bonnet is latched on the near side and I can't get in through a door. So the only option without breaking a window is to release the bonnet. This is surprisingly easy. It took 2 minutes tops. I'm not going to say how for obvious reasons but I was easy. Once the bonnet was open, I reconnected the battery and all was well but it was much harder than I was expecting and I've still got to fix the now broken key.
I've also got to add a passenger door lock to my "to do" list.
So to avoid such a drama next time, I'm thinking of leaving the battery connected to the car next time I charge it. Your thoughts on this plan would be most welcome.Freelander SE 2005 Auto.
D3 TDV6. Gone.
8th Nov 2014 9:56 pm
richuk
Member Since: 27 May 2012
Location: Dorset
Posts: 559
Make up a charging lead that plugs into the permanent live on your towing electrics. Then you just plug that in - job done. CTEK and other compatible ones available in the shop here http://www.disco4.com/shop/towing-socket-c...c-p45.htmlRich
semper in excretia sumus solim profundum variat
8th Nov 2014 10:03 pm
crwoody
Member Since: 09 Mar 2009
Location: Littleborough
Posts: 2109
Connect the charger via the towing electrics and leave the battery connected as normal, job done
Edit; beat me to it Clive
8th Nov 2014 10:05 pm
richuk
Member Since: 27 May 2012
Location: Dorset
Posts: 559
Rich
semper in excretia sumus solim profundum variat
8th Nov 2014 10:10 pm
Farmer Chalk
Member Since: 07 Mar 2013
Location: Independent Republic of Kentishshire.
Posts: 4169
Definately agree with the above...when mines not in use it's parked on the drive plugged in via the Disco 4 supplied towing socket and a CTEK charger. Took the advice to remove the securing clip on the plug so if I do forget to unplug it and drive away it just pulls apart safely leaving the charging plug in the socket!
Great advice from the forum and a superb bit of kit....no bonnets left open..just a small unobtrusive wire running to the rear socket. Car is also left locked and secure without fear of theft...
8th Nov 2014 10:12 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
If you do not have tow electrics then go underneath the vehicle and apply power to the lead going to the starter and the neg lead to a good earth. The alternator/starter has a permanent live so the vehicle will wake-up.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 05 Sep 2014
Location: Newquay
Posts: 1014
If I can leave the battery connected on the D3 as I do when I charge the battery on my MGF, I can just contact up to the battery with the croc clips. I just wasn't sure if the charger might upset the computers. I know my charger isn't regulated but the battery should damp out the supply ripple. My charger is only rated at 3.5 Amps RMS.
I don't have a 12S tow socket so that's out.Freelander SE 2005 Auto.
D3 TDV6. Gone.
8th Nov 2014 10:41 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
Your signature says you have tow electrics??
No problem charging the vehicle with everything connected but 3.5 Amps is quite small so would take an age to charge a flat battery.Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 05 Mar 2011
Location: chengdu
Posts: 1542
off topic but,
thanks for using the word calamity, its one of my fav wordsIt is better to have and not need it then need and not have it.
9th Nov 2014 1:00 am
Nodge68
Member Since: 05 Sep 2014
Location: Newquay
Posts: 1014
Robbie wrote:
Your signature says you have tow electrics??
No problem charging the vehicle with everything connected but 3.5 Amps is quite small so would take an age to charge a flat battery.
Signature is now more accurate.
Normally if I need to charge a car battery, I just connect it up. However I wasn't sure if the ECUs in the D3 would be ok. My MGF gets a monthly 24 Hr charge because it's used as a fine weather play thing.
My old V6 Freelander obviously used less power than the Discovery, I only needed to charge it's battery once or twice over the winter.
My charger is called a 5 Amp but the label says 3.5 A RMS.
It takes a couple of days to charge a completely flat average battery. The good thing about using a low powered charger is it's safe to leave it contacted for a few days without over charging the battery.
I was surprised by.
A the door key not working. This isn't very helpful.
B how easy the bonnet was to open. Lucky for me it was but not good for security.Freelander SE 2005 Auto.
D3 TDV6. Gone.
9th Nov 2014 6:34 am
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8154
Just wondering if charging direct to the battery could have blown my oval timer now that is a calamity, it is to me anyway It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
9th Nov 2014 7:37 am
SkyBear
Member Since: 29 Mar 2014
Location: Weston-super-Mare
Posts: 277
If you use the adaptor in the tow socket with a Ctek in supply mode will this be good enough for flashing? I am guessing yes but just wanted to check.
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now that is a calamity, it is to me anyway 
