Original battery life
01-19-2012, 09:38 AM
#11
AudiWorld Super User
Take a look at the power mgmt options with VAGCOM. In there you will see how the battery (brand, model) is coded to the vehicle.
01-19-2012, 09:51 AM
#12
AudiWorld Super User
I am aware of that. They want us to buy only batteries they sell. Other batteries work just as fine (or better) and can't be coded at all. Actually system works without re-coding or coding any numbers that fit format. What sense makes coding battery serial number? Does it change how that management works?
01-19-2012, 10:30 PM
#13
Definitely good points about OEM vs other brands. I wonder what the drain is on the battery when the car is parked for several days. I might hook up a multimeter and see.
Does anyone use trickle charging when they have their cars parked for several days? Any downside?
Does anyone use trickle charging when they have their cars parked for several days? Any downside?
01-19-2012, 11:26 PM
#14
AudiWorld Super User
Measuring drain with multimeter is not really simple. May be with some instrument that can do that without disconnecting battery.
I left A8 for a month in my garage without charging and everything was working normally when I was back.
I left A8 for a month in my garage without charging and everything was working normally when I was back.
01-19-2012, 11:36 PM
#15
AudiWorld Super User
Have parked mine for weeks on family trips
and it has just sat. Last one was 3+ weeks last summer. Never a battery issue from that. Same battery since I bought it CPO 6 years ago this spring.
On the other hand, get in and out of it like 50 times (thus triggering the lighting functions) while detailing it, cleaning, etc, or leave ignition switch on (but not running) over the course of lots of VAG COM work, scans, etc., and that will get the power mngt system to cut in. Car has that protective system, but that same kind of stuff causes a lot of drain on my A6 too. Both cars can sit there for weeks just fine though.
No, I don't expect a trickle charger would hurt if hooked directly to the battery. Similarly I found on my boat battery (standard dime a dozen off the shelf Group 24 starter batteries; no deep cycle or AGM ones), I lost each of the first two batteries in three years or less with discharging each winter (boat stored in an unheated, attached garage) and then it wouldn't come back after spring first attempt to use. Current battery is now in its seventh year and shows no signs of issues; only difference is I permanently wired a trickle charger lead to the battery and I plug it in any time it sits for a month or more. The boat draws almost zero when not in use too (just power to the LCD clock circuit in the straightforward instruments basically, with all draws like lights, GPS, etc. hard switched off at the main switch panel). Have found many an A8/S8 and others on the showroom floor with standby chargers tucked in trunk or otherwise nearby as well--back to that drain just from lots of entry and exit activity.
On the other hand, get in and out of it like 50 times (thus triggering the lighting functions) while detailing it, cleaning, etc, or leave ignition switch on (but not running) over the course of lots of VAG COM work, scans, etc., and that will get the power mngt system to cut in. Car has that protective system, but that same kind of stuff causes a lot of drain on my A6 too. Both cars can sit there for weeks just fine though.
No, I don't expect a trickle charger would hurt if hooked directly to the battery. Similarly I found on my boat battery (standard dime a dozen off the shelf Group 24 starter batteries; no deep cycle or AGM ones), I lost each of the first two batteries in three years or less with discharging each winter (boat stored in an unheated, attached garage) and then it wouldn't come back after spring first attempt to use. Current battery is now in its seventh year and shows no signs of issues; only difference is I permanently wired a trickle charger lead to the battery and I plug it in any time it sits for a month or more. The boat draws almost zero when not in use too (just power to the LCD clock circuit in the straightforward instruments basically, with all draws like lights, GPS, etc. hard switched off at the main switch panel). Have found many an A8/S8 and others on the showroom floor with standby chargers tucked in trunk or otherwise nearby as well--back to that drain just from lots of entry and exit activity.
Last edited by MP4.2+6.0; 01-19-2012 at 11:43 PM.
01-20-2012, 01:00 AM
#16
Makes total sense, just opening the trunk fires up the MMI for several minutes in my S8.
Reason I asked is I had my first slow cranking and sputtering start after not having driven for several cold days. I wonder if what I was experiencing was lack of a priming amount of fuel in the lines from the pump and/or low battery.
Thanks, fellow night owls!
Reason I asked is I had my first slow cranking and sputtering start after not having driven for several cold days. I wonder if what I was experiencing was lack of a priming amount of fuel in the lines from the pump and/or low battery.
Thanks, fellow night owls!
01-20-2012, 07:21 AM
#18
AudiWorld Super User
01-20-2012, 08:05 AM
#20
AudiWorld Super User
Deka/East Penn has an AGM battery for the car. It's a Group 49, part number is 9AGM49. Slightly better ratings than the OE battery.
Battery is also sold at NAPA with their label. P/N = 9849
These batteries are right around $200.
Battery is also sold at NAPA with their label. P/N = 9849
These batteries are right around $200.