10 replies to this topic

[Mini-Tina]

I am a huge mini-lover - cannot be parted from mine - 1982 Mini Hl - have owned it for 10 years.

This year I am having terrible trouble with the winter cold - battery flattening all the time. I only really use the mini at weekends, so it doesn't get mega mileage - but the battery is only 12 months old - does anyone else experience this?

I am feeling very sad at the potential demise of my baby.....

[Bluemini]

Does it have an alarm or stereo or anything else with a constant feed? If not then it could be a bad earth or dodgy alternator. They recon every time you start your car, it takes 7 miles of driving to replace the charge in the battery, so if its only being used at weekends are you giving it chance to re-charge?
The only other thing you could try is disconnecting the battery while its not in use during the week.

Good luck...

[Mini-Tina]

Thank you for the advice - I do have a stereo with a constant flashing light, so tha may not be helping the infrequent use...

I may try disconnecting the battery, and checking the other faults.

Thank you.....

[simmo]

this time of year is always heavy on batteries, heater blower, lights, heated rear screen etc.....
when i was on recovery going out to a " flat " battery, after testing the alternator and battery was holding charge, i would advise the customer that it would take at least 15 miles to recharge the battery to an acceptable level.. a couple of quick trips down tescos a week wasn't enough

hope this helps

[Woody]

You can get an inteligent battery charger that just topps up the battery if you dont use the mini a lot , I read about it in a classic car mag , it plugs into the fag lighter and a socket , only realy usefull if your car is garaged , and i cant remember what its called but a classic car mag would be a good place to look

[Bluemini]

Go to machine mart, they sell a trickle charger there for bout a tenner that you can leave on all year if you want and it keeps the battery topped up, like Woody said... I gotta go there tomorrow, I'll price one up for you...

[Mini-Tina]

Hey Guys...

Thanks for tips....no can do on the old fag lighter charger....am without fag lighter in my old mini.....I did consider this...before I remembered...But I have been investigating for similar alternatives.

I just look forward to the spring when the smile will return to my ole minis face......and the nightmares of my hospitalised mini will stop......

Cheers..and I'll keep you posted if I hear any other suggestions elsewhere...

Mini-Tina

[Bluemini]

I look at the chargers while i was in Machine Mart for you, the one you need is £11...
Click here to have a look...

[marksmini]

mines a 1982 too lol


hello,
snap i only drive mine at weekends even then its the odd weekend.
i had a battery 12 months ago and i had to get a new one only just as it wasnt holding its charge,

so ya its normal lmao


still get a charger tho and maybe up grade your battery i found helps

[Mini-Tina]

Marksmini...

Many thanks - I'm glad I'm not the only weekend driver that suffers this problem. It's a relief to know that I can put my problems down to the battery and infrequent use...yipee.

The charger will be purchased v soon, and I had thought about an upgrade to a heavy duty battery - sounds like it may well be worth while.

Would love to sort condition/reliability in time for a spring full of Mini-runs. It's been a long while since I've been a frequent participant due to work committments etc, but am preparing to get involved again....

Mini-Tina

[Bluemini]

If you get a more heavy duty battery, make sure it aint too heavy duty that your alternator won't charge it properly, or you'll be back to square one!