Dead Battery

[jwight]

This has about every connection you'd need:

[Wizco]

Originally Posted by parnami

Rather than having to take the car apart, is there a more convenient method to jump/recharge the ca in the futurer? I've seen devices that plug into the power jack, do they work?

The big problem with using the power port, is that when the key is switched off, that's a dead circuit. You have to wire a power port directly to the battery, or via a non key switched circuit to make that work.

[chieftmc]

Originally Posted by jwight

This has about every connection you'd need:

Yes it does!

I have used the Battery Tender Plus on my 2 wheelers for years and I get 5 - 6 years out of a motorcycle battery Anyone who rides a 2 wheeler knows THAT'S doing something

I highly recommend this product and WILL be putting the "harness" on MY smart !

[jordman]

Thanks all for your replies. I gather it's relatively rare that the battery dies after a week of not driving, although there's agreement that the batteries are not that great. The dealer tested the electrical and charging system, but did not specifically mention a load run and declared there to be no excess draw. As far as I know, we don't have auto-wipers or auto-lamps. I'll investigate a battery tender (though I'm not sure what that is). I've written to SmartUSA in the hopes they can tell me if there's an issue that will be addressed at some point in the future (ie: replacing with a higher-voltage battery).

Anyway, I really appreciate your input.

[p1nball]

Originally Posted by jordman

Thanks all for your replies. I gather it's relatively rare that the battery dies after a week of not driving, although there's agreement that the batteries are not that great. The dealer tested the electrical and charging system, but did not specifically mention a load run and declared there to be no excess draw. As far as I know, we don't have auto-wipers or auto-lamps. I'll investigate a battery tender (though I'm not sure what that is). I've written to SmartUSA in the hopes they can tell me if there's an issue that will be addressed at some point in the future (ie: replacing with a higher-voltage battery).

Anyway, I really appreciate your input.

Have had the car almost 1 year, One of the first bunch to get here. Have all types of extras hooked up, Sub woofer, Gps, Satelitte Radio, ETC. Have not started the car for 2 weeks, not a problem. The real test is a LOAD Test. That will tell if there is a bad cell, that dies on the power draw. Hope this will help.
p1nball

[sunnyokanagan]

IMHO, the battery, along with a few other electronics elements of the smart are not ... robust ... enough for North American needs.

[8X5X5ft]

Originally Posted by parnami

I hate to join this club but I just did! I last used the car Christmas day and today, Jan 2, went to start it up only to get the "click of death." After figuring out how to access the battery (what a hassle that is), I hooked up my charger and got it started. The car is kept in a garage, but locked, so I wonder if the alarm helped to drain it. It wasn't all that cold inside the garage, but, colder than it has been.

Rather than having to take the car apart, is there a more convenient method to jump/recharge the ca in the futurer? I've seen devices that plug into the power jack, do they work?

Dead - mine too. Left for a week and had to put the charger on it. After reading some threads it looks like to be a common problem. I have the comfort package.

I will run a 10 gauge wire to under the seat with a Anderson Powerpole on the end so I can hook the charger in to jump the car in the future without having to ripe the floor apart. Not Fun.

[carbrown]

Jordman,
I had my first dead battery after about 3 weeks. Under warantee they came out to jump it. Was told there was a problem with leaving on the auto lights and some other auto thing. And I was not supposed to leave both on when I turn off the key. Happened once more. Then the company recalled the car to fix that problem. Happened once again after I didn't drive it a couple weeks. Then it hasn't happened again ... until today. I have been driving it at least once a week, so I don't know why this keeps happening.
Unfortunately it is now over a year old, so I have to pay for the guy to come out and jump start it.
The dealer here appears not to love having to deal with the tiny box cars. Not pleasant people and I try to avoid them.
Carbrown

[dlbntmc]

Did you ever find out if the "battery via lighter" works? My battery has to be "started" with my portable charger each time I drive (I start it twice daily). I have to drive quite a distance to a smart dealer and I am considering the R34.....any experience or information would be appreciated.

[jimvw57]

The 'battery via lighter' is just plain a bad idea. It runs voltage on the wrong side of the fuses which can defeat the whole purpose of a fuse. Plus, the lighter circuit is only fused for 5A(I believe) and a starter will draw much more than that.

Having to jump start twice a day is crazy! I would guess that the battery is probably either dry or internally shorted. Go to a good qualified Battery place and talk with them about upgrading your battery. You can get a battery that will fit in the same place with more CCA (cold cranking amps) and a larger reserve than the stock battery. They can also check to see if the alternator is working.

Most automotive charging systems will recharge a dead battery in about 15 min, unless the battery is damaged from being discharged too long.