Member Since: 01 Mar 2006
Location: Market Drayton, Shropshire
Posts: 211
Battery charging
I believe that the battery in my 06 Disco3 needs charging; I use the car just two or three times a week and I am getting HDC fault messages on start-up. I believe this message can be associated with a low battery.
My question is very basic. Can the battery be charged by connecting the charger to the battery terminals whilst the battery is still connected to the car. Or does the battery terminals have to be disconnected before using a charger.
The reason why I am reluctant to disconnect the battery is because I am told that when the battery is disconnected, there can be problems with the vehicle electronics and suspension system when reconnecting (truth or myth)
You advice would be much appreciated.*Disco3 7-seat Auto
March 2006
Zermatt silver
*Disco TD5 GS Manual
2001
Epson Green
108,000 miles without a single problem
*Disco TD200 Manual
1993
Bonatti Grey
55,000 trouble-free miles
*Various company cars, no comparison
15th Nov 2010 7:02 pm
J@mes
Member Since: 10 Nov 2008
Location: Bomber County
Posts: 4547
Yes it can be charged while the battery is still connected to the vehicle, I do it all the time as I also rarely use my D3 in the week. 2014 D4 XS
2005 D3 SE - Gone
15th Nov 2010 7:04 pm
ELD70
Member Since: 28 Jan 2008
Location: Romford.
Posts: 901
If you have twin towing electrics you can charge via them.
15th Nov 2010 8:08 pm
Bodsy Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
Re: Battery charging
TonyH wrote:
The reason why I am reluctant to disconnect the battery is because I am told that when the battery is disconnected, there can be problems with the vehicle electronics and suspension system when reconnecting (truth or myth)
As long as you have let the car go to 'sleep' i.e. parking brake light is off & sat nav screen is off then you can disconnect the battery no problems.Bodsys Brake Bible
Clock/ SNOTM /3Flash / 4x4Info /BT Update /Service Reset/Error Codes / Gearbox Reset See It Here
15th Nov 2010 8:29 pm
John C
Member Since: 28 Aug 2007
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 3292
ELD70 wrote:
If you have twin towing electrics you can charge via them.
Please can you explain? 2020 SDV6 D5 HSE, Carpathian Grey +
2022 Tesla Model Y LR... almost Carpathian Grey
Previously : 2005 TDV6 SE Auto, Cairns Blue (288K) - ours for 16 years
15th Nov 2010 9:49 pm
ELD70
Member Since: 28 Jan 2008
Location: Romford.
Posts: 901
Get a decent charger like the one above, connect a male towing plug to the feed from the charger and plug into the white caravan power socket. The white socket has a direct line to the battery so just plug it in and let it charge. Can dig out more details if req
15th Nov 2010 10:49 pm
PaulP
Member Since: 04 May 2007
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 4317
I've got a CTEK, but the big XS25000 one......
I've charged my battery a few times without disconnecting it and upon later reading the fault codes, I've had over-voltage DTCs stored (can't remember which module it was).
No problems were caused by this though
I would personally disconnect the battery if possible, but wouldn't get too stressed about it if not possible - especially if using a smaller charger like the XS3600
TonyH wrote:
I am told that when the battery is disconnected, there can be problems with the vehicle electronics and suspension system when reconnecting (truth or myth)
Myth 2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE AutoBuckingham Blue 2007 Golf GT DSG
16th Nov 2010 12:19 am
John C
Member Since: 28 Aug 2007
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 3292
thanks ELD702020 SDV6 D5 HSE, Carpathian Grey +
2022 Tesla Model Y LR... almost Carpathian Grey
Previously : 2005 TDV6 SE Auto, Cairns Blue (288K) - ours for 16 years
16th Nov 2010 11:07 am
drivesafe
Member Since: 23 Feb 2006
Location: Gold Coast, Australia
Posts: 867
Hi TonyH, I wouldn’t go overboard and disconnect the battery.
Most dealers regularly charge the batteries in the showroom vehicles and do nothing more than connect to the cranking battery and charge it over night.
You are more to put yourself at risk of do some harm by disconnecting the battery, like dropping spanners on live terminals and such.2008 TDV8 RR Lux + 2009 D4 2.7
16th Nov 2010 4:10 pm
TonyH
Member Since: 01 Mar 2006
Location: Market Drayton, Shropshire
Posts: 211
Thank's for your advice guys. I am particular interested in charging the battery using the towing grey plug, this method is very convenient.
Are there any photo's showing the plug connections to the charger. I guess someone has thought of something ingenious and not just two wires protruding from the trailor plug.*Disco3 7-seat Auto
March 2006
Zermatt silver
*Disco TD5 GS Manual
2001
Epson Green
108,000 miles without a single problem
*Disco TD200 Manual
1993
Bonatti Grey
55,000 trouble-free miles
*Various company cars, no comparison
16th Nov 2010 8:35 pm
ELD70
Member Since: 28 Jan 2008
Location: Romford.
Posts: 901
Wait till car goes to sleep then plug her in and wait a few hours till fully charged. Make sure SWMBO does not drive off though with charger attached at the back
From memory pin 4 is live and pin 3 is negative but just google it to make sure.
16th Nov 2010 10:24 pm
ELD70
Member Since: 28 Jan 2008
Location: Romford.
Posts: 901
Pin 3 Earth
Pin 4 Live
On the 12s socket (left) only remember.
16th Nov 2010 10:33 pm
John C
Member Since: 28 Aug 2007
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 3292
Very helpful - thanks!
Wondering if the internal cables running to the 12S socket are rated high enough to use it for jump starting other cars from it?2020 SDV6 D5 HSE, Carpathian Grey +
2022 Tesla Model Y LR... almost Carpathian Grey
Previously : 2005 TDV6 SE Auto, Cairns Blue (288K) - ours for 16 years
16th Nov 2010 10:55 pm
ELD70
Member Since: 28 Jan 2008
Location: Romford.
Posts: 901
Be a brave man to try and smoke the D3's loom if it goes wrong
16th Nov 2010 11:12 pm
PaulP
Member Since: 04 May 2007
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 4317
Not even close to being capable of jump starting - the cables are graded to allow power to a trailer/caravan fridge but not much more...
And I would limit the charger to a reasonably small one if using this method..... 2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE AutoBuckingham Blue 2007 Golf GT DSG
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