Re:Gen 4 Battery swap

This all seems a bit quackers to me!

Ive had the battery out multipul times, and ive had no problems. My electrical system works just fine, and im running a winch off the stock battery. I have a bluetooth battery monitor with an app, and cranking voltage, resting voltage is all sweet. Battery is a bit small and runs down quick if leaving aircon on without engine running but all good.

So whats the fuss about having to go to a dealer if the battery is disconnected?
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George appears to have an electrical load management issue possibly due to a wiring fault (earth) combined with his driving profile.

He makes very short trips with full electrical and electro-mechanical (aircon) load. Perth Australia is hot!

The vehicle appears to react to this load by commanding the alternator to reduce volts to lighten the load on the engine, this is the normal function of the LIM circuit on the alternator.

As the journey is short, the battery never gets charged and eventually discharges completely.

As no-one else reports this, there is likely to be some sort of fault that encourages the load sensing on the battery to limit the alternator more than it does on other Jimnys

The interim "cure" is to press the OFF button on the AirCon that disengages the aircon compressor clutch. This reduces the engine load and allows the alternator to start charging the battery as the engine can now provide the energy.

This is what George means by turning the alternator on/off, he is referring to the aircon clutch which has this effect.

Martin

Last Nov Jimny landed.
4.5 miles to work, total 9 miles per day on 30mph roads if your lucky.
6 sets of lights so its slow going.
Lights on auto plus aircon on all the time.
10 months later my battery is fine.
Just opened car door the battery read 12.5v with no key in the ignition.
Hope this helps.

Thank you for all your replies!!!

Andy you really have a Blessed car! I'll PM you later with a suggestion for an improved battery, I still need to check if it is available in the UK.

Martin, thank you for responding to Andy, and explaining my situation in a way that UK readers will understand. Yes the "OFF" button has become the on/off switch for the alternator and is now a get-me-home button!

Grima, in that scenario, 12.5V is fine.

My Saturday Morning technique for checking the Battery Resting Voltage is:
Un-lock with the key, pull bonnet release, re-lock with the key. Store the key more than 30 feet from car and not in your pocket.
3-4 hours later, with the car still locked, lift the bonnet and check the Battery Resting Voltage.
Ideally, it should be between 12.7 and 12.8 volts. If so, close the bonnet and make a cup of tea!

If below 12.6V, I will float the solar panel across the battery for the rest of the day, bringing the terminal voltage up to around 13 volts.
The car remains locked and the key inside the house. I have been doing this since April last year and now have four pages of records!

This method usually gives me enough battery power to go shopping on the next Monday.

The new "fix", using the "OFF" switch, may reduce the need for extra charging. I will know on Saturday as this is the first week of trying this method.

I hope that helps a little.

What also might help might be switching to LiFePo4 battery. They have a higher efficiency and therefore make more use of charging. I have been using one for my motorbike now for 3 years and did never have to recharge. With a lead acid battery I had to recharge at least twice a year.

Firstly, I'll address Rainer's well meaning suggestion. Thank you.

Most Batteries that will fit in the space provided are NOT Plug-and-Play with the Gen4 Smart Alternator.
This is one reason for this topic, removing one that did not Play!

I am constantly searching for compatible replacements and upgrades that have been field tested in the car and also meet the EU emission requirements.

We have the #2138, a Sealed Calcium here in Australia. It is supplied by Club Assist through RAC/NRMA outlets. This is considered a replacement and not an upgrade

Another from Germany is the VARTA 545 155 033. This also is considered a replacement and not an upgrade!

Remember these have been field tested and meet the requirements of the EU using the Smart Alternator.

Moving on:
Today I contacted Suzuki Roadside Assist to see what the next logical step would be following the RAC Man's visit. To my amazement I have been allocated A Free Tow to my Selling Dealer! I checked this with Suzuki Customer Service and the Dealer and yes its there for me to take advantage of, any time I wish! In the discussion process it quickly became apparent that this is the repair of last resort! After careful consideration, I don't wish to repeat the errors of the past, PDI and Accessory fails! There must be a better way to have the car fixed! If the RAC Man can come to my home and diagnose the fault, then why can't Suzuki do the same?

Meanwhile, its Battery Day later today, I'll check the Resting Voltage and see if the RAC Man's temporary fix has worked!