Battery charging

H

hollyrescue

Member
I tried to charge my battery today, but couldn't get to it. The spare wheel fixing plate is in the way. I removed the 2 bolts holding the plate, but it wouldn't move. The funny thing is that I am sure that I have charged the battery before and can't remember any problems What is stopping it? I have looked on the fitting guides for spare wheel fixing but it won't come up on my pooter. I've also looked at Mikes excellent workshop manual disc, but nothing. I know that I am getting old and senile, I'm also getting weaker, so removing the spare wheel was a struggle, but....I'm not that bad. I do have some new wheels though, 4 mph max, 20 mile range, electric motor, pilot seat (really), shopping basket on the handlebars, sad ennit.

Why can't I get to the battery, on the A2 of course, the electric buggy is easy.
 
Thanks to all for the assistance, it's clear now...remove foamy type packing, find 2 more bolts, take 'em out. The trouble is I get tired after about 20 mins exertion, and fall into "tomorrow will do" mode, but tomorrow also turns out to be inconvenient. I was never like this!
 
Done it! But what a hassle, it must be worse with Bose equipment fitted. The foamy bit looks impossible to remove, but after much juggling I found rolling it up and back got it out, because the bottom of it is curved. I don't suppose anyone would get a battery stolen 'cos it takes ages to get to it.When it needs replacing I will try and decipher the codes to identify it as a Varta, rather than an Audi part, must be a lot cheaper.
The handbook says get the stealer to inspect and top up the battery, and seems to suggest that if it is 5 years old they will replace it anyway.
 
I don't want to go through all that hassle again just to ensure the battery is charged, so I have ordered a charger to charge through the cigar lighter socket. Don't worry I know about charging rates etc., and this model guarantees not to damage any electronic components. Auto express best buy etc.
 
Dick, I'm not entirely certain that all A2s have the cigarette lighter connected directly to the battery - mine certainly isn't and needs the ignition to be on for it to work.

Double check that the charger will work, or that you can return it if incompatible.

Cheers,

Mike
 
Mike, mine,s OK. I have to remember to unplug the road angel etc. when I leave the car. The Volvo is ignition controlled. Thanks for the interest.
 
Skipton01 said:
Dick, I'm not entirely certain that all A2s have the cigarette lighter connected directly to the battery - mine certainly isn't and needs the ignition to be on for it to work.

Cheers,

Mike
Click to expand...

This is an interesting one.

My cigarette lighter works without the ignition on and I had assumed that this was an Audi trait. Having owned all Vauxhall's previously, they all reguired the ignition on to power the socket as per Mike's post.

With my car being an '05' plate, I wonder what year the switch was made or on what models this applies?

Answers on a postcard...

Darren
 
Looking at the wiring schematics, they should all work with the ignition off - the light surrounding it won't, but the positive feed to the cigarette lighter goes (in)directly to the battery (I say in because there are a couple of fuses in line).

Looks like mine is the odd one out - I'll have to investigate!

Cheers,

Mike
 
Mine works without the ignition on :p I know because I use a 12V electric buffer when polishing the car! :)
 
Well I've bought the charger complete with cigar adaptor, it's a ctek multi 3600. I've tried it, very impressive, relatively expensive but you get what you pay for. The great advantage is that it is switch mode and does not start the charge with a bucketful of volts. The ad blurbs have convinced me anyway 'cos I don't have to dismantle the rear end to access the battery.
 
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