Hi All
I have a VARTA AH52 10655 AB battery fitted its the original battery and on occasions the dashboard illumination dims at night done this for years.

The car always starts first time no matter how long its left.

I decided to test the voltage with the multimeter and it read 12.1volts cold, I have checked a few times when cold and its 12.1 volts.

After a run checked the battery on several occasion's its 12.4 volts even 2 hours latter.

When engine is running its well above 14 volts so charging ok

Just wondering if 12.1 is normal as I thought it should be higher at rest 12.4.to 12.6

Any thoughts

Richard

Hi,
how did you check the voltage if the car is unlocked and "awake" it will be drawing and show a lower voltage, try to check when the car is asleep (12S tow socket if you have one.)

if 12.1V then yes its low a sign of a weak battery I suspect your stop/start is not working either

there has just been a couple of post about this and I have added my readings and battery replaced

 .
my first ever FL2 and I did keep it longer than most other cars!
But its now gone way up Norf

Richard,

Depending on the CCF your Land Rover will charge at different voltages

Here is a chart that shows Voltage at a certain temperature note the difference depending on which battery type is stored in the CCF.

Click image to enlarge

Hi river blanche

I have been taking readings with car unlocked ignition off but with bonnet up,

When cranking engine it drops to 10v but fires up straight away, you see it drop when glow plugs kick in then when it starts goes up to 14v plus with alternator charging

I will try tomorrow via 13 pin socket on tow bar and use the pin for the ATC for the caravan

ATC is live all the time at the tow bar and is is not controlled via ignition.

The stop start is always turned off on every trip as since 19,000 miles if I leave stop start on it would display Gearbox Fault
Traction Reduced.

Car is 7 years old now but does not do many miles it may stand for days without moving
I would be interested for average life of the original battery

Richard

Sounds like a 7 year old battery at the end of its life. 
Hung like Einstein, smart as a horse.

Been out to the car this morning and tested voltage at tow bar electrics with car locked up.

Voltage 12.4v which is still a little low but I think fall within the parameters.

I also open the car up and tested the battery and that was 12.1v

Richard

A fully charged healthy battery should be about 12.7 - 12.8 volts.

Any battery that lasts more than 5 years is running on borrowed time.

The same goes for people that wait until their tyres are worn down to the legal limit before replacing!