Flat Battery NO! Any ideas?

[Mickfedupwithworkvan]

Ive a bog standard Custom long wheel base 65 plate with 60K I can use it for short or long journeys and still get the same problem.
It randomly will have a completely flat battery, starts OK with jump leads and will be fine for a week or so, even starting several times a day for short, stop start journeys, then for no apparent reason, when I least want it, its refuses to start again! Its been into the garage I bought it from (albeit not Ford) and they've checked the Battery and the Alternator and cannot find anything obvious draining the battery at all.
Any ideas anyone? Incidentally, I got rid of my VW T5 because of an ongoing electrical fault.

[Altransit]

Does it definitely have only one battery, and is it the original one

[Mickfedupwithworkvan]

Just the one battery under the seat as far as I know its the original one

[Altransit]

If it's original, then it could need replacing. They can develop a failing cell, which means that it sometimes can't provide full voltage and cranking amps when starting, or even unlocking doors, but having run the engine for a few minutes, the cell will then show full power enabling a re-start as if nothing is wrong. Leaving it static for a period of time then runs down the dead cell so it won't start again.

If you're happy that the alternator is doing its job, then the only other scenario is that you have a faulty circuit which is running down the battery, but in this case, they don't usually recover so quickly from being flat.

[Mickfedupwithworkvan]

Probably will now get the battery changed and see if that does the trick, thanks for the tip will let you know what happens next!

[Altransit]

Buy the best battery with the highest cold cranking amps, that will fit in the space, (and that you can afford!)

[glenandemm]

yeah as above most likely battery, seen loads of posts about failing batts on 3-4 year old vans lately and even my factory ford battery croaked it, i could leave the van for a day or so and it would be flat, definately go for the biggest you can as aparantly people say these customs are very juicy on batts but theres actually room to plonk a second battery in easy enough then you just get battery extension leads and run them across to the new battery easily enough, on my to do list!

[loot]

I second that i have 2 batteries and 2 alternators on my van
Never struggles mind but stop start doesn't work again

My electric radiator fan seems to run constantly too despite the internal heater setting.

Bloody Ford, running nearly flat batteries surely must use more fuel which if doing short trips must contradict the dpf system etc.

[andz327]

I second that i have 2 batteries and 2 alternators on my van
Never struggles mind but stop start doesn't work again

My electric radiator fan seems to run constantly too despite the internal heater setting.

Bloody Ford, running nearly flat batteries surely must use more fuel which if doing short trips must contradict the dpf system etc.

What's with the 2 alternators Loot

ANDZ

[loot]

I second that i have 2 batteries and 2 alternators on my van
Never struggles mind but stop start doesn't work again

My electric radiator fan seems to run constantly too despite the internal heater setting.

Bloody Ford, running nearly flat batteries surely must use more fuel which if doing short trips must contradict the dpf system etc.

What's with the 2 alternators Loot

ANDZ

It's a Hilti service van and they add runlock and the powerall system and 2 alternators.


So when I'm plugged in and using more power it also revs the van up when it wants more juice.

Alternator looks identical to the Ford 1 and it looks dead simple, it bolts to the front of the engine block just a simple metal bracket.

[andz327]

I second that i have 2 batteries and 2 alternators on my van
Never struggles mind but stop start doesn't work again

My electric radiator fan seems to run constantly too despite the internal heater setting.

Bloody Ford, running nearly flat batteries surely must use more fuel which if doing short trips must contradict the dpf system etc.

What's with the 2 alternators Loot

ANDZ

It's a Hilti service van and they add runlock and the powerall system and 2 alternators.


So when I'm plugged in and using more power it also revs the van up when it wants more juice.

Alternator looks identical to the Ford 1 and it looks dead simple, it bolts to the front of the engine block just a simple metal bracket.

Nice ..... Get a note of the fan belt size before you need one mate as that maybe hard one to find

ANDZ

[loot]

[qote="loot"]

I second that i have 2 batteries and 2 alternators on my van
Never struggles mind but stop start doesn't work again

My electric radiator fan seems to run constantly too despite the internal heater setting.

Bloody Ford, running nearly flat batteries surely must use more fuel which if doing short trips must contradict the dpf system etc.

What's with the 2 alternators Loot

ANDZ

It's a Hilti service van and they add runlock and the powerall system and 2 alternators.


So when I'm plugged in and using more power it also revs the van up when it wants more juice.

Alternator looks identical to the Ford 1 and it looks dead simple, it bolts to the front of the engine block just a simple metal bracket.

Nice ..... Get a note of the fan belt size before you need one mate as that maybe hard one to find

ANDZ[/quote]
No need, 1250 6 originally but I reamed the end of the pulley to give more room and got a 1250 4 or 5.

[andz327]

[qote="loot"]

[quote="loot"]I second that i have 2 batteries and 2 alternators on my van
Never struggles mind but stop start doesn't work again

My electric radiator fan seems to run constantly too despite the internal heater setting.

Bloody Ford, running nearly flat batteries surely must use more fuel which if doing short trips must contradict the dpf system etc.

What's with the 2 alternators Loot

ANDZ

It's a Hilti service van and they add runlock and the powerall system and 2 alternators.


So when I'm plugged in and using more power it also revs the van up when it wants more juice.

Alternator looks identical to the Ford 1 and it looks dead simple, it bolts to the front of the engine block just a simple metal bracket.

Nice ..... Get a note of the fan belt size before you need one mate as that maybe hard one to find

ANDZ[/quote]
No need, 1250 6 originally but I reamed the end of the pulley to give more room and got a 1250 4 or 5.
[/quote]Knew you'd have something sorted

ANDZ

[loot]

standard belt really, there's an adjustable jockey pulley on there.

[Mickfedupwithworkvan]

So threw the ford battery out today and replaced with a Yuasa, biggest, most Ah I could fit in the box under the drivers seat.
From what Ive read here and elsewhere I am far from alone with a failing battery on Customs about three-4 years old.
Thanks for all the advice and tips, next Im going to change the standard bulbs in the cargo area and fit an inline switch so I can put them on when I want.
Hopefully, this will now be a bit more reliable. Mind you, Im now pit stop speed with jumps leads!!