Is the current drain depleting the battery?

O

OHShilenshooter

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Sep 5, 2024
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Our new Mazda CX-50, with less than 200 miles, indicates a need for driving to recharge the battery, while being connected to a functioning battery charger. It also loses capacity overnight.

What is consuming all that current - is it the MyMazda application?
How can I disable the source of this drain?

A two-minute film documenting an experiment in which I charge a battery, briefly open a door, and see the charger struggling to maintain power.
 
I eventually visited our local dealer and spoke with a service technician.
He said that the current draw from just opening the door (in the absence of a key) is standard. It seems to be exiting sleep mode.
I measured the duration at around 2 minutes; he said it may extend to 5 minutes.
Likely establishing an internet connection and transmitting all my personal information.

While installing the dash cam recently with the doors ajar, I saw that, despite the dome lights being down, it was significantly consuming current.
I was unaware of it at the time.
It elucidates the reason for the notification about driving the vehicle to recharge the battery. That is when I connected the antiquated charger.

The battery is, in fact, not as drained as I indicated in the video. I originally operated the battery tester on the 100% side immediately after removing it from the charger. The second test (65% side) was conducted immediately after opening and shutting the door the next morning. The tester requires the headlights to be activated to eliminate surface charge. The vehicle was still using a significant current that I was unaware of. The outcome is intentionally diminished.

I have now learnt to connect a voltmeter to the battery, in conjunction with the battery tester, and to wait for the voltage to stabilize; subsequently, I get this result.
 
They are deceiving you till your battery guarantee expires. This is what was done to me, after which I was advised to replace it. You should inform them that a new battery is required, since they are expected to last up to four years. I wager they will inform you that they will recharge it for you, and if it occurs again, they will replace it. The recurrence will occur beyond the warranty period. They subjected me to this after I needed to jump-start my vehicle once and subsequently had to remain on a trickle charger overnight for two days until I could attend my appointment. Subsequently, they charged it without providing an explanation for its depletion and said they will replace it if the issue recurs. It occurred again, but it was one week over the 12-month mark and exceeded the mileage limit.

What duration do you believe that object remained in place to get that depleted, or could it have been drained due to the doors being left open?
 
One issue is that the vehicle resides in the Phoenix region, where the heat degrades all batteries. The vehicle was somewhat soiled from being on their lot, hence it is likely the battery was depleted and fortunate to start the engine. Another unit in the showroom had a depleted battery. Undoubtedly, individuals are depleting the battery excessively by opening the door and occupying the seat.
As per some assertions previously seen on Battery University (now inaccessible), the optimal temperature for a lead-acid battery is 77°F, and for every 15 degrees beyond this threshold, the 10-year design lifespan is reduced by half.
In 2024, there were 142 days over 100°F and 80 days surpassing 110°F. Batteries have a limited lifespan in this context. Three years seems to be the typical duration based on my 40 years of residence here.
My adult children have the same process. A 2020 Tesla equipped with a 12V lead-acid battery has failed this year, rendering entry and exit contingent upon a specific procedure—an unfortunate design flaw, Elon.
I believe they transitioned to lithium iron phosphate in 2022 or 2023. They will last far longer.

One must question the rationale for placing a battery in the very hot engine compartment. Does that little insulating box serve a purpose?

Anticipating better batteries. I installed LiFePO4 batteries in my motorcycles, and their longevity is much enhanced. The original battery in my FZ09 failed after two years, although the first lithium battery (without a BMS) lasted six years.
 
That is astonishing; I would expect a superior alternative. Perhaps one of those options might be effective.
 
However, the narrative differs for Canada and other frigid regions. For a LiFePO4 battery to function well in those environment, it will need internal heating elements. Their performance significantly declines in cold conditions. They should not be charged below 0°C until they have reached a suitable temperature.
Battery technology remains under development.

In other news, the Mazda app has notified us that the rear left door is ajar. It is not / was not !!!
Connected the charger to the battery at a 6A rate; it first surged to 7-8A before gradually decreasing. Subsequently, throughout the duration required to compose this, it has decreased to 3A, indicating that it is charged.

There is an excessive amount of processes running, and no method to disable them.
 
OK, so the wife has been playing with the mymazda app and was sitting in the car. With everything off, she could hear this faint whirring sound. I had to drop everything I was doing and go sit in the car with her. Solving the upcoming crisis will just have to wait.

Yep, my 69 year old ears can hear it too.

I wonder how long it runs for (says I)???

She sets up the timer on her phone, I open the door and she starts the timer running as I close the door.
The lights turn off at 15 seconds, still whirring - sounds like a pc cooling fan, only fainter.
I can still hear it over the mild tinnitus.
Then at 2 mins 15 seconds, it shuts off... That matches the current draw I was seeing all along.

I don't think I can turn that off.
 
Verifying the aforementioned sound subsequent to the vehicle's shutdown. I do not believe I waited "2 minutes and 15 seconds" for it to cycle off; it seemed more like 30 to 45 seconds. However, I was not driving the vehicle, but rather sat in the garage with it running briefly to adjust system settings. Perhaps the cycle-off duration is prolonged if the engine is hot.
 
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