Battery charger / jump start box

[JohnC]

The manual states I can't use a charger to keep the battery charged, and doesn't recommend 'booster boxes' (which I've used on other cars for years), does anyone know if there is a genuine reason for this ?

My local dealer initially said that my automatic/trickle charge 'Carcoon Power & Charge' system would be fine, but is now unsure ?


Thanks

[Cuprabob]

I think the concern is that you can get a voltage spikes from these items which can damage the electonics. If you connect a trickle charger / conditioner then I'm pretty sure you'll be ok. I have one connected to my bike all year round and I've not had any issues and there is a fair bit of electronics on that.

[RW1]

I'm just wondering after using VCDS today.

Yesterday after finding an near flat battery due to short trips and standing for 4 days, I connected a Ring SmartCharger RDC4 (4 amps) for 3 hours. Its the type that limits its upper voltage, regulates the charge current and cycles the battery if left hooked up long enough. It would normally be OK on previous cars with electronics on board.

On connecting VCDS I had several fault codes, some of which could be the windows frozen, But this one has me thinking......

Address 09: Cent. Elect. (J519) Labels: 1K0-937-08x-09.clb
1 Fault Found:
00447 - Function Limitation due to Over-Voltage
001 - Upper Limit Exceeded - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100001
Fault Priority: 6
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 68
Mileage: 12909 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2013.14.04
Time: 21:00:24

Freeze Frame:
Term 15 On
Voltage: 14.35 V
ON
ON
OFF
OFF
OFF

Did not turn the ignition on while the RSC4 was connected, battery was left in circuit with the Scirocco's connections.
Will have to do a quick check very soon to see if the short charge period I did yesterday is associated.

C.

[DAR]

I use an optimate on My R. Used it when the car is sat for a few days.

No Problems at all.

I have wired one of the below (attached to the battery), it has a rubber cap to stop the Shyte getting in.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/OPTIMATE-ACCUMATE ... 164wt_1202

Allied with one of these

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/OPTIMATE-4-BATTER ... 3208wt_698

I have used it on various cars for the last 4 years.

No problems at all.

[RW1]

Did not turn the ignition on while the RSC4 was connected, battery was left in circuit with the Scirocco's connections.
Will have to do a quick check very soon to see if the short charge period I did yesterday is associated.

C.

Checked out the Ring RSC4 today. No replication of the fault code. Put the fault down to frozen windows along with window faults that had been stored.

I think reading the handbook as long as a older type charger which have a large A.C. voltage component is not used, it will be OK to connect directly onto the battery terminals. So the two above are the type to use. Also as I do, use a electrical spike suppressor 240v mains plug (Not an RCD plug).

There is a warning in my handbook states not to use the two 12 volts sockets on the Scirocco (Centre console & boot) for charging. I note a "leakage" voltage on them when the ignition is off. They only work when the ignition is switched on. Circuit diagram indicates the 12 volt connection is open circuit until the ignition is on.

C.

[Cuprabob]

I use an optimate on My R. Used it when the car is sat for a few days.

No Problems at all.

I have wired one of the below (attached to the battery), it has a rubber cap to stop the Shyte getting in.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/OPTIMATE-ACCUMATE ... 164wt_1202

Allied with one of these

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/OPTIMATE-4-BATTER ... 3208wt_698

I have used it on various cars for the last 4 years.

No problems at all.

That's exactly what I use on my bike

[JohnC]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

The Optimate charger replicates the functions of my original tried/trusted Carcoon power system, so with your answers I feel I'll give that a go to gently boost the charge.


http://www.carcoon.com/carcoons/products.asp

[DAR]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

The Optimate charger replicates the functions of my original tried/trusted Carcoon power system, so with your answers I feel I'll give that a go to gently boost the charge.


http://www.carcoon.com/carcoons/products.asp

Sure it will ok. Is their a weather proof plug with that system? I used the Optimate on both cars and all my bikes, one being Ducati 900 Monster (unfaired) . The rubber cap did a very good job of stopping the weather getting in.

[Ryy]

Wow, the posts here are a little scary. I was planning on leaving my rocco in the garage for next week as I'm not at work, and now I read here this and especially the leaving of the car for 4 days unused and the battery is nearly flat I once left my old car in a aiport car park for 2 weeks and came back it just went (2nd Dec for 2 weeks). Agreed, it was cold, but not as much as this, but... wow. So I'm looking at a dead car come the 4th Jan? Not great if so

[RW1]

Bear in mind that I've only used the Scirocco very little this month for about 4 short trips of no more 5 miles each. And prior to that the use wasn't that high or journeys any longer.

Short trips and hardly any charge goes into the battery, so over time the mean value of charge is lower than say someone who drives 30 - 40 miles a day every day. A characteristic of sealed low maintenance batteries.

A quick check with a DVM and you should know your battery state as listed in the table.

My battery won't have been a high % state of charge in the first place which is why it was checked out the other day. I've always had this problem with low maintenace sealed batteries with my previous cars because of the amount of useage. So it came as no surprise the other day.

C.