Battery drain: I have given up all hope! Jump pack recommendations?

[CrashworkZ]

Hi guys,

Just like many other of you I have been experiencing random battery drain on my '01 3.0d X5. Sometimes I can have it parked for a week without any issues, other times it drains over night. I have been looking at many of the things suggested here at the forums, obviously starting off with the battery and alternator, and moving on towards the hedgehog, DVD changer, phone, interior lighting, tail gate, pulling fuses etc. Nothing has helped and I am so sick of asking people for help to jump the car.

So, I was thinking about two things:
First of all I'd like to get a proper portable battery jump pack which I can keep in the car, and that is powerful enough to jump the X even if completely drained. Secondly, I was thinking about buying a solar panel trickle charger to keep plugged in while parked.

I would really appreciate any opinions, suggestions, or recommendations in regards to which jump pack and solar charger to get! Just to note that I'm currently residing in Bulgaria, and since don't speak the language, or read cyrillic - browsing the web to find what the local market has to offer is not an option for me.

Best regards,
Peter

[14thbmw]

If you have a garage, the c-tek battery tender (or the BMW branded one) work great. Just keep it plugged in when not in use. I prefer the version with clamps so I can get on the + post and a clear bolt under the hood, but some prefer the cigarette lighter version (if the socket is always on).

If you don't have a garage, then you've identified the two options I can think of. I would hit Amazon for the reviews to help narrow the choices.

[CrashworkZ]

Thank you for your reply. No unfortunately I don't have a garage or any other power outlets available. I had a look online but it's quite a jungle out there. So many different brands with even more different specifications and prices. This is the reason why I'm looking to hear from someone else who has purchased these kind of products, and is happy with how the work specifically with the X5.

Best regards,
Peter

[14thbmw]

Originally Posted by CrashworkZ

Thank you for your reply. No unfortunately I don't have a garage or any other power outlets available. I had a look online but it's quite a jungle out there. So many different brands with even more different specifications and prices. This is the reason why I'm looking to hear from someone else who has purchased these kind of products, and is happy with how the work specifically with the X5.

Best regards,
Peter

Understood. Sorry I have no experience with those. If you don't get much here, you might try sailboat sites or suppliers (West Marine in the US, for example) - boaters have used solar (and wind) chargers for a long time so should have good experience history to offer.

It may be obvious, but you should try to determine the discharge rate so whatever charger you get can at least keep up with it.

[CrashworkZ]

Originally Posted by trader4

With regards to the drain, did you try disconnecting the auxilliary fan on the radiator? It was one of the problems here, the other was the heater blower resistor. I assume you tried leaving the blower resistor disconnected or pulling that fuse and it didn't stop it. Also, have you
hooked up the PC based diagnostic software to see if it says anything?

For the charging, no experience with the battery packs. Where
power is available, to maintain it, I've used Battery Tender product
for years, works very well. Anything of that kind, I'd get a handle on
how many amps your drain is. If it's draining it overnight, a BT type
product would help, but probably isn't enough. I think mine puts out
about 1.2A.

Also be aware that every time you deep discharge the battery you
shorten it's life.

I have looked at both those things, but they don't seem to be causing the discharge. I have had the car in for diagnostics with a really good Indy too, but they are also unable to determine what's going on. As I said the discharge appears to be happening at random, but I've never been able to establish the cause.

After all the research and time spent on trying to diagnose the problem I've finally given up hope and begun looking for a workaround rather than a solution.

[powers1]

Originally Posted by CrashworkZ

I have looked at both those things, but they don't seem to be causing the discharge. I have had the car in for diagnostics with a really good Indy too, but they are also unable to determine what's going on. As I said the discharge appears to be happening at random, but I've never been able to establish the cause.

After all the research and time spent on trying to diagnose the problem I've finally given up hope and begun looking for a workaround rather than a solution.

You need to get a car booster than will handle 900A.Something like this but you best source it out locally is a car parts shop.Mine cost me €95.00 and will handle 1000A.SILVERLINE 12V 900A AIR COMPRESSOR JUMP STARTER BATTERY BOOSTER LEADS | eBay
BTW,no point getting one that holds 400A ,cause it wont start your car!

Try to find out whats discharging it ,is a better solution ,as some have adviced here..Good luck

[CrashworkZ]

Originally Posted by powers1

You need to get a car booster than will handle 900A.Something like this but you best source it out locally is a car parts shop.Mine cost me €95.00 and will handle 1000A.SILVERLINE 12V 900A AIR COMPRESSOR JUMP STARTER BATTERY BOOSTER LEADS | eBay
BTW,no point getting one that holds 400A ,cause it wont start your car!

Try to find out whats discharging it ,is a better solution ,as some have adviced here..Good luck

Thank you, that's just the type of information I'm looking for.
Looking at the product linked in your post I can see that it says "Provides either a starting boost of 400A or a peak boost of 900A". I assume that "starting boost" is what I am looking for? Any idea what "peak boost" means practically?

Best regards,
Peter

[JWMich]

Really need to figure out the malfunction. There are several common ones, some noted here. Another is the Telematics module (TCU). That was mine, found it by old-school pulling fuses method, one at a time until I found the one that was connected to my parasitic drain.

[CrashworkZ]

Originally Posted by JWMich

Really need to figure out the malfunction. There are several common ones, some noted here. Another is the Telematics module (TCU). That was mine, found it by old-school pulling fuses method, one at a time until I found the one that was connected to my parasitic drain.

Gents, I understand your concerns and I am not trying to belittle the issue, but there are several reasons for why I'm looking for a workaround instead of a solution at the moment.

Just to list some of them: It's a really old car without any real value, I am living in a country where I don't speak the language, I don't read the alphabet, I don't really have any friends to rely on, I don't have a garage, I don't have access to a power outlet, I don't have any tools, and I am very occupied at work and cannot spend unlimited amount of time on troubleshooting this. And also if you thought that car repair shops, services and salesmen are generally dishonest in the US - try eastern Europe!

I'm sorry if I'm stepping on someones toes and I understand that this is a forum for X5 lovers. I've been one myself for a long time. Unfortunately my current situation doesn't really allow me to do what's best in the long run - I need a quick and easy solution!

Best regards,
Peter

[sunny5280]

Originally Posted by CrashworkZ

Gents, I understand your concerns and I am not trying to belittle the issue, but there are several reasons for why I'm looking for a workaround instead of a solution at the moment.

Just to list some of them: It's a really old car without any real value, I am living in a country where I don't speak the language, I don't read the alphabet, I don't really have any friends to rely on, I don't have a garage, I don't have access to a power outlet, I don't have any tools, and I am very occupied at work and cannot spend unlimited amount of time on troubleshooting this. And also if you thought that car repair shops, services and salesmen are generally dishonest in the US - try eastern Europe!

I'm sorry if I'm stepping on someones toes and I understand that this is a forum for X5 lovers. I've been one myself for a long time. Unfortunately my current situation doesn't really allow me to do what's best in the long run - I need a quick and easy solution!

Perhaps I missed it but did you try replacing the battery? I notice you did say:

"...starting off with the battery..."

But it's not clear to me if this meant you replaced it. With that said perhaps it's time to consider getting rid of the X and into something where this isn't a problem.