16- Z3 Replacing the Seatbelt Clip Pt2

Any vehicle can suffer a flat battery – even an electric car. Thankfully, recharging a car battery is straightforward, but there are some important points to consider first.

A car battery will typically last between three and five years before it needs replacing. There are many signs that a battery is getting old, but common symptoms include the engine cranking more slowly than normal, loss of power to the electronics and a warning light on the dashboard.

Charging a failing battery might get you home, but you should fit a replacement as soon as possible. A battery in good health might last around two weeks without use before it needs recharging.

However, external factors can reduce this to a few days. Cold weather and extreme heat are two examples, or it might be something as simple as an interior light left switched on.
As mentioned, most EVs have a separate battery for starting the car and powering ancillaries such as lights and air-con, so the same issues apply.

Why has your car battery gone flat?

If you’ve ruled out the possibility that your car battery is simply old and needs replacing, you need to figure out why it has gone flat. Reasons include:

* Regular short journeys. As many motorists have discovered with
   increased working from home, the combination of infrequent use and
   short trips puts a strain on car batteries.
* Leaving an interior light on. Also check the boot light, as this is harder to
   spot when you leave the vehicle.
* Using the electrics when the car isn’t running. Did you listen to the radio
   while you spent the afternoon valeting the car?
* Fitting the wrong battery. If it’s too small, it will lack the power required to
   crank the engine.
* Extreme outdoor temperatures, either hot or cold.

Once the car is running, a drive of around 30 minutes should be enough to return the battery to full health. Don’t stall the engine or you could be back to square one!

If you find that the battery is flat or the car is slow to start at the next attempt, it’s almost certainly time to fit a new one. Prices range from around £50 to £200, depending on the size of battery.

A car with stop/start engine technology requires a different and more expensive AGM or EFB battery. You’ll also require a smart charger, rather than a conventional battery charger.

Here is the process for charging a car battery:

Check and clean the battery terminals. If they look dirty, rub them with a wire brush and remove any residue before charging.
On older cars, make a note of radio PIN codes or how to reset the clock BEFORE you disconnect the battery.
Disconnect the battery. Remove the negative terminal first, then the positive terminal, before disconnecting the clamp holding the battery in place. Using a magnetic ratchet set or spanner will reduce the chances of important nuts and bolts dropping into the bowels of the engine. We’ve all been there.
Although it’s possible to charge a car battery in situ, we’d recommend removing it from the car. Position the battery on a flat surface in the garage or shed before connecting the positive cable to the positive terminal, then the negative cable to the negative terminal. Don’t recharge a car battery in the house – there’s a risk of explosion or fire.
With the cables secured, switch on the battery charger and wait for the battery to be charged. How long it takes depends on the size of the battery, but it could be up to 24 hours before the battery is fully charged. Most chargers have a light or indicator to tell you when the battery is ready for use.
Unplug the charger, disconnect the cables, then position the battery in the car. Secure the battery by refitting the clamp, before fitting the positive terminal, followed by the negative terminal. Switch on the car’s ignition, check for any warning lights, then start the engine.

On a personal experience level, Smart Chargers do have their place when it comes to conditioning the battery, however most times for them to work requires the battery to have a minimum amount of charge to start the process of charging and conditioning. Unfortunately, without this the charger is deemed as being useless in an emergency type situation.
However, the standard 'NO-Smart' or analogue battery charger, you know the one that your dad or grandfather gave you years ago, this will initially start the process of charging a battery even below the minimum required charge that a smart charger would activate. (one could switch back over to the 'Smart-Charger' if and when one feels it is necessary, but one could ask, why bother other than for the conditioning? (in my opinion).

If your car spends a lot of time not being used, it’s probably worth investing in a trickle charger. These monitor the battery’s health and top it up gradually, ensuring the car is always ready to use. One could just disconnect the battery if locked up in a garage. I have done this my battery, it having a quick release clamp on the negative battery post, leaving the positive connected. OK one does need to reset the radio and clock (My radio doesn't have a pin), it is always strong, well so far; 3 years on!

This now, brings me onto another possible solution and that is leaving the negative and positive connected

[Battery and Engine Protection] This handy car battery disconnect switch system can remotely control your car power system. Protects batteries and engines and prolongs their lifespan. At the same time, thieves cannot start and steal your car, improving security.
[Remote Operation] The battery disconnect switch is equipped with 2 new 320ft remote controls. You can even control it at home, with one-touch control on the dashboard of the entire car power system. The 12V battery cut-off switch allows you to disconnect the car power system by simply pressing the remote control key button without opening the hood to turn on the power every time.
[Easy to Install] First connect the red wire to the positive pole of the battery. Then connect the black wire to the battery clip. Finally attach the battery clip to the battery negative terminal. All required wiring harnesses are included, no need to purchase additional accessories.
[High-quality Material] The 12V remote battery isolator supports people's long-term use, made of high-quality plastic, the overall structure is solid, and the quality is reliable. Rated current 200A DC12V, this battery disconnect isolator is upgraded from the old model, improved fittings make the mounting contacts stronger.
[Wide Applications] The remote control has a very low standby current (0.003A), suitable for DC 12V camping trailers, SUVs, ATVs, UTVs, small vans, agricultural vehicles, Trike cars, and off-road.
Specification:
Product name: Battery Disconnect Switch
Working voltage: 12V
Working current: 200A
Instantaneous current: 500A
Material: plastic, copper, resistance, etc