LI Battery Drain?

[brettzo]

So I've been driving with my LI dual (Gen 8) installed for around 6 months now and have been very happy with the performance, however this winter I've had some issues with the electrical system in my vehicle (06' BMW 330i). I've had several issues with the car since I purchased it BMW "pre certified" a little over a year ago (thank god for warranty). The problem I've been having most recently is frequent battery drain. Now, yes this does have something to do with the stupid climate a live in, with temperatures dropping sub -30 in the winter (-22F for the majority of the users on this forum). I came back from Mexico a little over a month ago to find my battery had completely drained and the cells had been damaged beyond rechargeable repair (this more than likely due solely to cold weather and the vehicle sitting outside during our trip). I had BMW put in a new battery (expensive, like everything else with BMW) and drive off. No issues for around a month and now my battery is draining, even though I garage park the vehicle and drive it daily, new alternator was put in a couple of months ago. I have yet to tell the service center of my LI's, for obvious reasons and they're now saying that the battery drain is due to "too short of commutes, under 5KM" and that the battery doesn't have enough time to recover from BMW's "highly advanced electronic system" WTF? Pretty ridiculous, I know.

Does anyone know how much of a current these things draw from your battery on a cold start and/or any possible implications with LI and battery drain in my weather conditions? I now shut off LI and turn on once I've had my vehicle running for a few minutes, just to be safe. I also have a hard wired V1, which I doubt has anything to do with the issue, unless due to faulty install. Other than the V1 and LI, the vehicle is completely stock.

I've been searching around and haven't found anything on this issue. Could be far fetched, but trying to rule out all possibilities here.

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[category4]

I always turn my LI off before shutting the vehicle off and restart the LI once the vehicle has been on for a few seconds. If I leave the V1 on for more than 2 days it will kill my battery in the truck.

Also what the dealer is saying about all short trips is true. Starting a car is hard on the battery and it needs time to recover. Also all the electronics on a car these days does shorten the life of batteries.

If the V1 is staying powered on when the car is off there's a good chance that along with the short trips and cold temps is killing the battery. Try going on a 30 minute trip every few days just to charge the battery up and see if that helps.

[SaltyinNJ]

I can see the LI's draining ur battery if u have it hardwired to a fuse that doesnt shut off when the car shuts off. You can either add a fuse it to a different fuse that shuts off when the car does, of leave it the way it is and remember to shut off LI everytime u turn car off.

[brettzo]

The LI is on its own fuse and powers off when the vehicle is off. I can test this by pressing the kill switch on and off while the vehicle is off and LI wont trigger. I don't think its possible to draw a current while off, is it? Either way I'm going to kill it before shutting off my vehicle, just to be safe. V1 shouldn't have to worry about either, as it powers down automatically with the vehicle, on another dedicated fuse.

As far as battery drain on short commutes, I do frequently have short urban commutes, as we live in a smaller city. I do, however commute to work 5 days/week, which is a 30 + min drive each way. The electrical in these cars are substantial and touchy to say the least, but I still can't see a properly functioning BMW's battery draining to barely enough cold cranking amps to star the vehicle. I know several people who drive BMW's in the same conditions, around the same year, etc with no issues whatsoever, but I'm sure they're several variables involved there.

Another issue I had since I purchased the vehicle was my heater blower would only go around halfway and cut in and out sporadically. I had the vehicle in the shop 6 times for this issue and over 40 hours of labor. They could never find the issue and are now relating it to the battery draining and the electrical going in to priority mode and the heater being low priority. When the battery was replaced all was good with the heating system until just recently again, when they discovered my new battery was operating at around 40 percent. This issue has been apparent well before I installed the LI's, or V1, which leads me to believe it's something else electrical going on.

[Andrew21]

Have you tested the alternator? Hook up a volt meter and see if the battery is getting at least 13.5-14 volts when the car is running.

[Cauhauna]

This sounds like a nightmare. Good luck man.

[Hunter]

That cold weather alone drains batteries like crazy.Hope you can get it resolved soon.

[Solidjake]

I doubt it's the LI's unless you tapped into the fuse as stated a few posts above. My LI's get turned off when I park and I have them tapped to the cigarette lighter.

[JamSession]

How about installing a Battery Tender? They are small and easily concealed in an engine bay. They operate automatically, always keeping the battery fully charged. Only thing is you would need access to an electrical outlet every evening to power it. I've used them for years in cars, motorcycles, and ATV's and have never had a dead battery.

[focalcivic]

If you have the LI and V1 on a key on circuit then they are not the curprits. I hate to say it but your BMW has electrical gemlins that are to blame.

Just food for thought many years ago my sister had a car battery kept dieing, they found the problem in the service garage and it was dark the mechanic noticed the hood light under the hood did not shut off, this goes to show you it can be something simple or more complex.