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posted on January 24th, 2010 at 10:10 PM
Battery drain and headlight relay
Hi all,
Just a couple of quick questions.
I have a '65 beetle, 6V setup, stock as they come. The car is my daily driver, and doesn't sit more than 2 days idle at any time.
Q1. I fitted an Optima 6V battery last September, and twice it has drained down to about 2.5 to 2.8V overnight (about 2 months apart). Due to such low
voltage, I was unable to recharge it and had to send it back to the place of purchase. While the Optima was in the shop, I would use my old lead-acid
battery in the interim, and no problem with it. I don't know how old the battery is, but it got me by. I checked for electrical leakages and could
not find any. The most I would get was 0.02mA.
After the second time the Optima drained, I tried checking for an intermitent leakage, and could not find any. I conceded defeat and took it to an
auto electrician, and he said the system was fine and there is no leakage. His only action was to tweak up the voltage regulator a bit. He didn't
have too many kind words about the Optima batteries, and I was wondering if anyone else has had the same problems with the Optima batteries.
Q2. I'm currently running 45/40W headlights, and have the floor-mounted dimmer switch. Will the electrical system handle 6V H4 60/55W headlights, or
would I have to fit a headlight relay? If a relay has to be fitted, where would the best position be? I have a wiring diagram for my beetle, but being
as electrically challenged as I am, a pointer in the right direction would be gretaly appreciated.
Apart from the Optima battery drain, I don't have any issues with the electrical system, as everything works as it should, when it should.
Cheers,
Norman
[size=4]If it ain't broke, fix it till it is![/size]
clinker42
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posted on January 25th, 2010 at 07:39 AM
Mate
You have leakage somewhere or maybe even a low charge rate. We use Optima batteries in the race cars. Optima is a fantastic battery. Lots of boats
and 4wd people use em as well.
I know you wont like this, but a battery doesnt drain itself, if it does then its stuffed, but then it wont be alright for a month then drain again.
You do have some leakage, maybe a switch or something that is sticking every now and then.
I dont know about the dimmer switch handling the currrent, but you are always better of to fit a relay. Doesnt really matter where you put it as in
the VW the wire run wouldnt be too long even if you sat it with the engine. Just use good wire, not the wire from SuperCheap or the $2 shop.
Seeing your electrically challenged, do you know the concept of a relay?
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posted on January 25th, 2010 at 08:13 AM
Ive heard good and bad about the Optima, but not used the myself so I cant comment from personal experience, except being a gel type, I believe they
do require a higher charging voltage so it's ok that the regulator has been adjusted, but beware it's not too high a voltage for the old lead acid
battery.
It is possible for a battery to have the intermittent discharge problem, but it will need to be checked by the manufacturer.
The headlight Dimmer switch will definitely handle the current, the relay should be fitted to the headlight switch supply wiring as the circuitry has
individual fuses for each beam and left and right, so you don't want 4 relays for the headlights. The std wiring will need modification though
because the headlight switch gets the power before the rest of the car, so a little mod will be required, also be careful around the hlight switch
wiring as the wiper motor is close and can short out wires if moved too far. Check by looking and swinging wipers through their travel.
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greedy53
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posted on January 25th, 2010 at 08:23 AM
disconect the battery over night than see if it's ok when reconect if not i'll leave it to ya own ideas
65standard
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posted on January 25th, 2010 at 04:05 PM
Hi all, and thanks for your replies greedy53, matberry and clinker42.
Greedy53, I have been doing what you suggested. Disconnecting the battery overnight. I got to the point, that whilst at work, I would disconnect the
battery so I wouldn't get a possible drain, and be stuck.
Matberry, Thanks for the tip on location of the relay. I'll look into it and see how I go. Prior to the regulator being tweaked, it was lucky to be
putting out 7V whilst driving. After the tweak, I'm now getting around 8.2 to 8.3V at about 40mph in top gear.
Clinker42 I know the Optima can be a good battery, but I had never had a discharge in the lead-acid battery like I did in the Optima. I know that some
mornings the lead-battery would be slow to start, but would start. I have never in all my years of driving and various cars and previous bugs had a
battery drop off on me like the Optima. I have put the Optima back in, and keep a constant watch on it, but I have been lucky to date that the Optima
has discharged on me at home and not out and about. Anyway guys, thanks for all your input.
Cheers
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68AutoBug
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posted on January 25th, 2010 at 05:00 PM
Quote:
Originally
posted by 65standard
Hi all,
Just a couple of quick questions.
I have a '65 beetle, 6V setup, stock as they come. The car is my daily driver, and doesn't sit more than 2 days idle at any time.
The most I would get was 0.02mA.
I'm currently running 45/40W headlights, and have the floor-mounted dimmer switch. Will the electrical system handle 6V H4 60/55W headlights, or
would I have to fit a headlight relay? If a relay has to be fitted, where would the best position be? I have a wiring diagram for my beetle, but being
as electrically challenged as I am, a pointer in the right direction would be gretaly appreciated.
Cheers,
Norman
Hi Norman
the 6 volt wiring is OK for the Quartz Halogen or Xenon bulbs.
the dipper switch is good for that too...
You ought to see the size of wiring in modern cars...
half the size of a beetles...
Lee
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65standard
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posted on January 25th, 2010 at 10:17 PM
Quote:
Hi Norman
the 6 volt wiring is OK for the Quartz Halogen or Xenon bulbs.
the dipper switch is good for that too...
You ought to see the size of wiring in modern cars...
half the size of a beetles...
Lee
Hi Lee,
I have heard mixed ideas about fitting a relay to the 6V system for the higher wattage headlights and to not fit them as the wiring for the 6V system
is the same as the 12V system.
As I have a set of 6V halogen 60/55W lights, I'll try them and see how they go. The worst that can happen is to blow a fuse.
Thanks for the input.
Cheers.
Norman
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matberry
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posted on January 25th, 2010 at 10:21 PM
The 6V wiring is bigger than the 12V wiring as it has twice the current for 6V for the same Wattage device. Wiring and fuses will be fine, switches
too, the generator will be the one to feel the extra load of higher wattage bulbs.
6Volts.....keep all those connections perfect !!!
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greedy53
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posted on January 26th, 2010 at 02:08 PM
just a quickie maybe for later , my very good friend is using a 9 volt forklift battery on his 6 volter reackons its the a blast can run 12 volt radio
and wipers work better just a good all round fix,he aquired his from a battery supplier
good luck
65standard
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posted on January 26th, 2010 at 03:43 PM
Thanks for all your input guys. Some good recommendations that I'll keep in mind for future reference.
All the best and Happy Australia Day!
Cheers,
Norman
[size=4]If it ain't broke, fix it till it is![/size]
