DS 5 battery performance - solar charging?

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Kamal Khan Dam
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DS 5 battery performance - solar charging?

Post by Kamal Khan Dam »

I've had a DS 5 since last November. It's a -16 plate, and I replaced the battery before Christmas. Battery performance after a short period of not being driven seems low, even accounting for low winter temperatures: does the DS 5 consume much electrical power at a trickle when parked and locked?

In a usual week, the car might not move at all as I don't drive to work, then drive a few hundred miles eg up to Scotland and back to England over a weekend every few weeks.

After a long drive, Eco mode stop start works as expected, but after 4 or 5 days of sitting, it won't activate during a journey of 5-10 miles (ie enough that the engine is full warm as indicated on dash, and when I'd expect it to kick in from performance experienced immediately following a 9-10 hr drive). Car media system will also only stay on for a short period without starting the engine, reinforcing my belief that eco mode isn't activating due to measured battery condition. All is restored after a drive of several hours.

If this is normal for a DS 5, does the design of the electrical system allow for trickle charging of the battery from a photovoltaic panel connected to cigarette lighter when the car is locked? I have one I used to use with an MGB, but haven't yet tried with DS 5.
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Re: DS 5 battery performance - solar charging?

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Don't bother with those chargers.

The DS5 has like most modern PSA cars an energy management strategy - in this case a Battery Charge Status Unit, that monitors the battery condition, temperature etc., and uses this to determine energy saving features. Depending on your fitted options, the vehicle has electrical systems that are active, monitoring systems such as TPMS - taking readings every so often and again the battery readings, then there are the locking systems that are waiting for an unlock signal from the remote locking fob. Then there is the alarm and volumetric protection system that is active.

All these take a toll on the battery, and if the vehicle is standing for a week or so, it will decrease the battery condition.

As for those chargers, the BSI has a mechanism for disabling equipment and accessories as part of the energy saving strategy, so will cut off operation of the accessories 12V socket after a while but certainly after 30 minutes, so that may interfere. Generally I would advise against connecting any accessories that can supply a charge through the vehicle's electrical systems as these can have unforeseen problems that may cause damage.

If you want to fit a trickle charging unit, it would probably be better to fit one directly to the battery and not through the vehicle's operational wiring.
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Kamal Khan Dam
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Re: DS 5 battery performance - solar charging?

Post by Kamal Khan Dam »

Thanks Marc.

I'm aware of the higher current drain likely, but surprised it appears to act so quickly (winter temp acknowledged). My last car was an -09 Passat, which would need to sit for a much longer period before the stop/start was isolated pending restoration of battery charge, but certainly had fewer electrical features to supply. Also suspected the 12v socket would be isolated.

The access to the battery on this car to use any sort of trickle charger is pretty awkward.
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Re: DS 5 battery performance - solar charging?

Post by white exec »

Can recommend the CTEK intelligent chargers, if you are able to get a mains supply near the vehicle.
The CTEK MXS3.8 is decently priced.
Just connect direct to battery terminals. Can be left hooked up and operating indefinitely.
Have had ours in use for 5 years now, on the same Yuasa YBX3000 battery.
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Re: DS 5 battery performance - solar charging?

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Kamal Khan Dam wrote: 15 Mar 2020, 17:54 Thanks Marc.

I'm aware of the higher current drain likely, but surprised it appears to act so quickly (winter temp acknowledged). My last car was an -09 Passat, which would need to sit for a much longer period before the stop/start was isolated pending restoration of battery charge, but certainly had fewer electrical features to supply. Also suspected the 12v socket would be isolated.

The access to the battery on this car to use any sort of trickle charger is pretty awkward.
i forgot to mention that there are very specific conditions required for the Stop Start to operate. Capacitor charge, battery star and condition, how may times the vehicle SS has operated over so many miles, etc etc. All these factors will decide on when and how long it operates for.
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Kamal Khan Dam
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Re: DS 5 battery performance - solar charging?

Post by Kamal Khan Dam »

Thanks both.
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