Re: Batteries Again

[steveb@newkla.kla.com]

> Almost any half way decent battery should work for 2-4 years with normal usage.
> 
> You might want to try and disconnect your battery, and using a multimeter
> measure the resistance between the positive and negative leads.  I personally
> have not done this on my Audi, but I imagine it should be greater than 2000
> ohms.  If not, that is most likely your culprit.
> 
I agree that a well maintained battery that is not subjected to extreme 
temperatures should last a long time ... even in an Audi :)

I'd recommend that rather than attempting a resistance measurement that 
you should do a current measurement instead.  Make sure that all of the
major electicity consumers are off (ignition, lights (headlights & 
interior, radio, engine cooling fan, etc.).  Get an ammeter that 
has a 10 amp scale, and connect it in series with the battery.  Increase
the sensitivity on the measurement until you get a good reading.  My
recollection was that the current was in the 20-50 milliamp range, but
that was on an older car. 

CAVEATS:
- I hear occasional stories of those who have coded radios having problems
   after disconnecting the battery.  KNOW THE CODE for the radio before 
   you disconnect the battery!
- You may have an intermittent problem where a relay sticks only occasion-
   ally, so the ammeter may not tell the tale when you're looking ...

I remember seeing an ad in either EC or GRM for some kind of "coiled" 
battery, where the cells are arranged into some kind of coil.  In the ad it 
was reported that the battery was much more robust than standard batteries.  
I had never seen anything like it before, but it sounded intriguing.  Has 
anyone out there seen them in the flesh or have any experience with them?  
I figure that they are probably $$$$.

Steve Buchholz
s_buchho@kla.com
San Jose, CA (USA)