Battery Drain on X5 4.4 2001

[omodos]

Originally Posted by upallnight

Since I don't drive the X5 that much, I use a solar powered charger that I have connected to the accessory plug by the passenger footwell. I can go for months and the X always starts.

Sorry to hijack post but do you connect disconnect it from accessory pluy every time you start vehicle or leave it connected constantly even whilst driving?

[Crowz]

You don't have to unplug the solar panel when driving.

[Crowz]

One thing I forgot to mention is that solar panels by themselves use power at night.

Basically they make power in the light and use power in the dark so they can actually drain your battery at night.

But all packaged setups should include a built in blocking diode. This prevents the problem. The reason I'm pointing this out is in case someone gets a do it yourself urge and buys just a solar panel to try to wire it in. Don't forget to add a blocking diode.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by omodos

Sorry to hijack post but do you connect disconnect it from accessory pluy every time you start vehicle or leave it connected constantly even whilst driving?

I just leave it on constantly.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by Crowz

One thing I forgot to mention is that solar panels by themselves use power at night.

Basically they make power in the light and use power in the dark so they can actually drain your battery at night.

But all packaged setups should include a built in blocking diode. This prevents the problem. The reason I'm pointing this out is in case someone gets a do it yourself urge and buys just a solar panel to try to wire it in. Don't forget to add a blocking diode.

A diode only allows current to flow in one direction. Therefore at night my solar panel will not discharge the battery. The diode will also prevent the alternator from putting current into the solar panel.

[omodos]

Originally Posted by upallnight

A diode only allows current to flow in one direction. Therefore at night my solar panel will not discharge the battery. The diode will also prevent the alternator from putting current into the solar panel.

Gonna take your word for it as someone who has used one , I have managed to get hold of a similiar one you refer to, and the instructions do say not use whilst starting/driving as maybe damaged, whether the diode gets damaged or not is another thing have no idea unless I test....

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by turquise1

Almost everything that can drain the system is off. So, no navigation, no phone etc.

The drain is as bad to kill the battery overnight during winter so it is really NOT normal. I did the drain test several times and although the car goes to sleep eventually, it takes a lot longer than 16 mins and it seems to get longer when it is colder. When it goes to sleep the number is at .04 amps so its normal, but it takes a lot longer to get there (system seems to keep resetting itself around 15 mins and restart the sleep process by going to .95 amps first for a minute, then .5 amps for another 15 mins).

I will start pulling fuses next to see if it helps although I did try some without success during last winter.

Thanks for all the help..

Ozzie

Have you tried unplugging your TCU? That's another known problem that will drain a battery over night.