Battery drains

[Luc Cornelissen]

In 2.5 years this is the second time I have this problem.
We travel every year for about six months. We are in Malta right now. No dealers or servicepoints.
I have a freezer in the back to keep yhe food for the dogs.
The freezer is on the secondary battery.
Since a few days the primary battery runs empty over night. From 74% to 48% last night.
During travel it charges again but no more than 75%.
First time I had the problem is not more than 1 tear ago. They changed the battery. But the problem came back and the annoying thing is there are no service points nearby. I am obliged to drive every day.
Called the dealer and he thinks it's the secondary battery which drains the primary. In a few days I can disconnect the freezer so I can see what happens to the primary when nothing is connected.
Anyone had this experience? Should I just change the primary again ?
Grts Luc

 

[TheDocAUS]

Here are some things you can look at, but having a cheap battery monitor can help find the underlying cause (the INEOS gauge is not that accurate):

Thread 'What is draining my battery in my IG or QM when parked?'

Aug 24, 2025

PART 1- THE POSSIBLE CAUSES - this post
PART 2 - WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT - next post
PART 3 - FURTHER CHECKS - look here​

PART 1- THE POSSIBLE CAUSES
I am writing a checklist for owners to work through if your battery is going flat quickly. Understanding how the INEOS works is useful to work out if there is a problem or just the way your setup is working.

All modern 4X4s make BIG power demands on the battery. The INEOS is close to what I experienced with the much older Nissan Patrol over 10 years. I had a dual battery setup in each. I fixed the...

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• Replies: 44
• Forum: Electrical, ECU, HVAC, Lights & Infotainment

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Post in thread 'What is draining my battery in my IG or QM when parked?'

Aug 24, 2025

PART 2 - WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT
If you do not know what you are doing, leave it to the dealer or an auto electrician.

WARNING FROM HQ94: "when looking for shorts and drains and working or testing around the steering wheel or airbags DO NOT TEST SRS AIRBAGS & SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS without knowing the circuit and what you are doing. Measuring resistance, OHMs and stray millivolts mV can set off airbags, and seatbelt pretensioners."

How to manage battery power drains

1. WARNING: If you are going to disconnect any battery, first allow the car to go into SLEEP...

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