Battery problems

[axelgs1]

Hi all,

My surf has been stored up for a few months due to me using company car. During this time I have started it up and left running for 10mins each week. No problems starting at all. Last Saturday I started it as normal and ran the engine until warmed up.
Then when I tried to start it Wednesday.... nothing....... I presume a flat battery somehow. The alternater is OK with no red warning lights showing. Charging gauge is as normal. BATTERIES ARE GENUINE TOYOTA and about 3 yrs old. It's probably due to the batteries not being used much but any other suggestions would be greatfully received

Many thanks

Andy

[Paullen]

I've just bought a ctek charger for this exact reason, I don't use it enough to keep the battery charged, so it needs topping up.

[axelgs1]

I've just bought a ctek charger for this exact reason, I don't use it enough to keep the battery charged, so it needs topping up.

Thanks mate but don't quite understand. ..so it needs topping up

[Tankerman]

Top up!

Get a charger that continually monitors the batteries. Only snag is, it needs to be connected permanently.

[Triv]

It takes around 10 miles of mixed driving to put back into a battery what you have taken out to start it.
Leaving the engine idling to warm up is ok for the oil and coolant but the alternator needs a load on it to start charging, so if you didn't switch the lights on or the heating fan, then the alternator wouldn't have 'fired up' in order to charge the battery.
The alternator also needs to run at a speed above idle to have any sort of decent output.
It seems a bit counterintuitive I know but it's true.

[Paullen]

Thanks mate but don't quite understand. ..so it needs topping up

Yer just needs charging. Also leaving a car running for 10mins without driving it isn't that good for it, should take it for a 10min drive really.

[axelgs1]

Thanks for all your help fellow surfers......it all makes sense ..👍👍👍and now .. my mechanic says.....all is revealed. .it was a buggered alternator. Thanks again for all your help

Andy