Ka (2001) Battery Problems

[noddy53]

Hi my daughter has a 2001 Ford Ka 1.3, Had 2 new batteries recently and new Alternator but after approx. a month the battery when tested is coming up as replace and car needs to be jump started off a jump pack nearly every time but battery had got so bad even the jump pack wouldn't get it started.

This has happened before so new battery installed and as mentioned new alternator, I see no evidence that this year\model has the smart charge system as when registration given to motor factor they sent replacement alternator and battery and couldn't see any evidence of the 3 pin smart charge cable in engine compartment of car of the socket on either the original or replacement alternator, battery supplied was also a Lion (63) 40Ah Calcium Technology battery.

I charged the battery overnight last night and have taken the following readings from the battery
Battery Voltage engine not started = 12.90 V
Battery Voltage engine started = 13.98 V
Battery Voltage engine started and lights on = 13.90 V
Battery Voltage engine started, lights on and fan blower on max = 13.74 V
Battery Voltage engine started and fan blower on max = 13.86 V
Battery Voltage engine started nothing else on after car running for 10 minutes = 14.08 V

So these readings tell me that the alternator is sending charge to battery and voltage is dropping as expected when various power draws are made on the battery\alternator but doesn't explain why over a period of days (I know current cold spell doesn't help) the battery will die again??

Any help gratefully accepted!!

[WES180]

Sounds like something is draining the battery when ignition is off. Obviously wont be lights as you would see them apart from the boot light, does yours have one and is it going off when you shut the boot lid if it does? Bit of a long shot but has it had a replacement stereo fitted? Another member had this problem with his Cmax and it was his replacement stereo causing the cars info display to stay on overnight causing constant flat batteries.