09-17-2011, 04:39 PM | #67 |
Major
67
Rep 1,041
Posts |
MOT=Ministry of Transport test
CV Boot = Constant Velocity joint rubber cover or "gaiter" stood = the past tense and past participle of stand Translation =The CV joint cover was bad because the car was sitting for (3) months. (Or more likely, because it was an old dry CV boot.) (Or maybe because it was made by VW) Of course, it did start, which would be unlikely for a X3 tha "stood" for 3 months. Last edited by Lotus7; 09-17-2011 at 05:01 PM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
09-17-2011, 10:31 PM | #68 |
Captain
72
Rep 654
Posts |
I left my X3 another 2 weeks w/o starting it in the garage and when I came back to it, the only issue I had was the battery message which went away after I started it up for a few minutes.
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-18-2011, 01:07 AM | #69 | |
Private
4
Rep 63
Posts |
Quote:
If the Stop/Start system is switched off, does that mean the battery will go to full charge? I am particularly concerned that the alarm system might be switched off - a car that is uninsured (due to no operational alarm) if I leave it at an airport for a lengthy period is a major concern! Even a photo-voltaic cell system is likely to be ineffective in the darkness of a multi-story car park. Has anyone had any experience with these units or similar? Last edited by Bill S; 09-18-2011 at 01:25 AM.. Reason: added link |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-18-2011, 02:33 AM | #70 | |
Major
67
Rep 1,041
Posts |
Quote:
If you know you're going to have to leave a X3(f25) for a long time, it's wise to be sure that the battery is at full charge. The only way to really do that is to connect a charger a few days before. With a B&D 10 Amp fully automatic charger it will take 6 or 7 hours to bring a X3 battery from 40% charge to 100%. A CTEK 3300 will do it in 18 hours, and with a "Battery Tender" it will take as much as 48 hours. All three of the above chargers work well with the X3s Saturated Mat battery. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-18-2011, 03:40 AM | #71 | |
Private
4
Rep 63
Posts |
Quote:
Unfortunately a mains charger is not a viable option as I've a 150ml journey to the airport. So I have to rely upon the alternator charge. It seems that high ancillary current drain & the BER may be a massive disadvantage to the BMW (at least for my usage). At least BM seem to be attempting to control the drain by shutting down systems but it would be useful to know exactly what systems are closed down, and when, and to have a way to switch off a select range (not including alarm) if car is planned to be left for a prolonged period. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-18-2011, 04:17 AM | #72 | |
Captain
63
Rep 983
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-18-2011, 08:58 AM | #73 |
Major
67
Rep 1,041
Posts |
Using the OBD-II port is an interesting idea. The "lighter" sockets on the X3 are definitely disconnected after a 5 to 15 minute accessories time-out period, so are useless for charging. Unfortunately, it's also possible that the same is true of the X3's OBD-II port. I have a OBD-II reader and will check the port power pin when I get a chance.
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-18-2011, 10:35 AM | #74 | |
Private
4
Rep 63
Posts |
Quote:
I have ordered one up (£39.99 from amazon.co.uk but don't seem available on amazon.com). Unfortunately it does not have any indication when/whether it's working. I've also ordered a OBD breakout box so when that eventually arrives from China I should be able to connect a meter. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-19-2011, 04:29 PM | #75 | |
Major
67
Rep 1,041
Posts |
Quote:
The good news is that the power pin on the OBD-II connector is always "hot", so can be used as access to the battery for "light load" accessories or as a way to connect a low current "battery maintainer" type charger or a solar panel charger. However, one caution that should be observed is that this connector pin is fused at only 5 Amperes. That means that it's probably safe to connect a small charger like the CTEK 3300 (3.3 Amps.) or a 45 Watt solar panel, but nothing using or providing any more power. To test the connector power supply I attached a digital voltmeter to the appropriate connector pins and monitored the voltage from the point the car was locked using the key remote. Door open, car unlocked, "lighter accessory outlets": ON, Interior lights: ON: 12.40 V. @ OBD-II connector Time: "zero" car locked, "lighter accessory outlets": ON, Interior Lights: ON: 12.40 V. Time: 0:00:30 car locked, "lighter accessory outlets": ON, Interior Lights: OFF: 12.53 V. (Voltage increased because of Interior light "time out".) Time: 0:02:30 car locked, "lighter accessory outlets": ON, Interior Lights: OFF: 12.53 V. Time: 0:05:00 car locked, "lighter accessory outlets": OFF, Interior Lights: OFF: 12.62 V. (The accessory outlet timer shut off the outlets and other acc. circuits.) Time: 0:10:00 car locked, "lighter accessory outlets": OFF, Interior Lights: OFF: 12.62 V. Time: 0:30:00 car locked, "lighter accessory outlets": OFF, Interior Lights: OFF: 12.62 V. Time: 1:00:00 car locked, "lighter accessory outlets": OFF, Interior Lights: OFF: 12.62 V. Time: 1:01:00 car unlocked, "lighter accessory outlets": ON, Interior Lights: ON: 12.30 V. (Key Remote "Unlock Button pressed - Lights and accessory outlets powered up: Voltage dropped due to load.) The 12 V. "battery" pin on the OBD-II port is pin (16) The power ground pin is pin (4) The OBD-II port power is fused through Fuse No. 3 (5 Amperes) That fuse is in the "front" fuse block (located behind the glove box), not the big one in the rear fender. Hope this is of some use. Please keep in mind that this test was on a NA car. It's possible, but unlikely, that UK, Asian or continental vehicles are wired differently. This photo shows the voltmeter connections to pins 4 and 16.: Last edited by Lotus7; 09-19-2011 at 04:43 PM.. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-20-2011, 02:44 AM | #76 |
Private
4
Rep 63
Posts |
Many thanks Lotus.
I will post pictures of the solar unit when I get it but it may be a while before the breakout cables arrive and I can test voltages as it is working. Also I will soon be leaving the car for 2 months with valet parking while I'm in the US - it may or may not be a good test depending on whether it is parked in sunlight (hopefully I will find out from them) and whether I can get the drivers to plug in and unplug the solar unit when it is stored. |
Appreciate
0
|
09-20-2011, 07:42 AM | #77 | |
Major
67
Rep 1,041
Posts |
Quote:
For the plugs on my port reader and the Ultra Gauge I use to measure engine sensor readings and vehicle parameters, I had to add a steel rod "pull-handle" to be able to remove the plug without having to revert to using pliers on the connector. The specifications for ICP/Sunsei Solar Charger mention that it has a charge regulator and that it's only rated at 240 mA. It should be safe to leave connected permanently, even in bright sunlight. The X3's deep-cycle saturated mat battery can take a continuous charge voltage of 14.6 V. without being overcharged. Here are photos of the modification of an OBD-II plug I had to make to be able to use it in the X3. Note the epoxied-on, stainless steel handle. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|