Battery/Alternator Quirk...

[MaverickUK82]

Not sure if this is common knowledge or not, but:

Car died last night. Battery problem and had to replace the battery with a new one - no biggie!

But I got SubaruAssistance to come pick me up and he told me that the WR1's only charge their battery up when the sidelights are on. He then proved it to me with the ammeter (or it looked like an ammeter) on the battery, the voltage was gradually dropping while the engine was running, as soon as he turned the sidelights on and the charge started creeping back up. Apparently it's a quirk with the earlier model WR1's.

[No347]

Hi there , when I purchased my 1 the dealer (who was more of an enthusiast) did tell me he always drove with either head lights or side lights on all the time to ensure the battery kept it's charge. At the time i thought is just needs a new battery as it will die if the car has not been driven for appx 1 week.

I'm yet to change the battery but it's on my list of things to do so intresting you raise this point. Anyone else shed any light on this?

[Micktype WR1]

Yar...... the little view window on my battery was often showing black--bad sign. Since leaving siude lights on all the time, the window shows GREEN--ie healthy battery.

[jd]

The alternators are "intelligent" and will not charge un less there is a load placed on them, i.e. sidelights.

If the car is not used for a while the tracker can drain the battery.

[CAVEMAN]

It is a legal requirement up here to drive with dipped lights on all the time...whether it is 24 hour daylight or 24 darkness makes no difference to the plod.

good point though, how about when you turn on the window wipers? Surely more realistic for the british weather!

[MaverickUK82]

apparently, the bloke done some experiments on a wr1 with a clients stereo, he had it blasting and there was no charge, sidelights on and charging... how strange!

[John Mc]

Interesting that Mav... I always leave mine on trickle charge so never have a problem but it's interesting to know these things!!

[MaverickUK82]

how do you put yours on trickle charge?

[John Mc]

how do you put yours on trickle charge?

I use a mains trickle charger and leave it on all the time whilst parked up. Always tip-top.

[steve.w]

as jd says,they have "intelligent alternators" fitted that will only charge the battery when a certain amount of power is being drawn from them.using sidelights or having the heater fans on at least the second setting will spring it into life.it's a combination of the alternator and the tracker that makes the battery go flat.i've had problems with this myself in the past and mine's an everyday car.
oh and don't get a genuine subaru battery,they're crap.i was strongly advised to steer clear of them...........by my local main dealer!

[WR 1mposter]

been there done that