BATTERY SAVER

[dl56zza]

Yesterday I tried to start my Versa which had been sitting unused in my garage for six days several of which were below zero F. The ignition swicth would not release from lock and horn and lights not working. Thinking dead battery, I connected a charger which is designed to deliver a charge rate based on the condition of the battery. The battery began accepting a trickel charge (less than 1 amp). If the battery was dead, I was expecting a charge rate closer to 10 amps. After 7 hours at this low charge rate, I was able to start the versa. I know that most modern cars with lots of electronics have a parasitic drain which will discharge a battery if car sits long enough. I seem to remember that Versa has a "battery saving" device which is supposed to disconnect the battery if the level of charge drops below a certain voltage. Does any one have any thoughts on what may have happened? And am I correct in how this battery saver works or if it exits on this car?

[biggie]

Never heard of the battery saver thing.

But 0 degs or below for extended time will definately kill the battery's power.

[matttail]

I've never heard of a 'battery saver' either, and I'm trying to figure out how that might work. by reading voltage and amps going off of the battery you can only figure out how dead it is. A very dead battery is best off (longevity) being charged up slowly. So guess that's what you means by 'condition' Your device apparently deiced to start it on a trickle charge. 10-15 amps is enough to jump start your car immediately. A moderate change that would have taken an hour or two would be around 5 amps.

Personally I just keep one of those small jump packs in the back of my car. It's a sealed battery so it can't leak. It's got enough juice in it to jump start one car, and then you have to recharge it. Just hook the jumper cables up, wait a minute or two and then start her up. With mine you can charge it from a 12volt plug or take it into the house and plug it in. I also love this unit when someone asks me for a jump - you don't have to try and edge your car right up against them to be close enough for your jumper cables to work - just grab the small pack from the truck and walk over.

Advertisement over... I've never let my versa sit that long to know how much the batter drains over time. It's also possible that you forgot and left something on inside the car that drained the battery. I apparently did this once, as I came out and found the batter nearly dead, and low enough I couldn't start the car. Never figured out what it was for sure - nothing was on by the time I realized that the battery was dead.

If you're worried that your battery may not be in top shape you can check the fluid levels in the battery. You'll probably have to pull out the battery to see it well enough. Just don't set it down on the concrete. If your alternator is sending in too much voltage the acid can boil over - and this is very bad for your engine compartment. Probably not happening given how new the versa is, but it's possible. Past that it's hard to do much other testing of your battery on your own, but a good auto parts store should be willing to roll out their cart and test your battery.

[jmaclean]

Hey, you could have called me to give your vehicle a jump - over here west of downtown Mpls in Golden Valley. What model/ color V do you have?

[KimberKenobi]

Okay, you reminded me of a stupid thing I witnessed...

Found someone on the side of the road... They needed a jump, but said that they were fine because they had one of those jumper boxes... Well, they tried it, but it wasn't charged... So I asked them if they'd like my assistance, to wit they replied no, that they could charge it themselves. They plugged it into the accessory outlet in the cargo area of their car and waited for it to charge... I left. I really didn't know a way to be tactful about any comments I had to make.

[Ever Victorious]

I really didn't know a way to be tactful about any comments I had to make.

At that point, why bother being tactful? I mean, they had already inflicted the pain of their intellectual shortcomings on you... why not just take the coup de grace?

[jfanaselle]

I agree. You should have just called them idiots and drove off.

Hey dl56zza - you know what would solve your problem? Move to Southern California! J/K. I actually have a ton of family in Minneapolis and up in Duluth... I was happy to hear they didn't freeze to death after that horrible weather you guys are having!