Can anybody tell me how much battery power is used when my MacBook Pro is connected via a vLinker FS USB  to OBC on my 1.0 eco Fiesta, when simply scanning as a new user of FORScan.

My battery has dropped to 11.9V, admittedly after a couple of very short run's as well.

I remember when I was having my landrover brakes bled including the ABS flush, the guy doing it connected a charger during the flushing etc.  Would the laptop and forscan be enough to use enough power to knock the battery charge down on its own ??. 

It normally only uses battery when you are performing tasks, reading and DTC clear doesn't usually use much power

Perhaps your battery is on the way out anyway

Thanks for the reply Dave, I am beginning to wonder, I found that reading using a TopDon 200 tester & it is now on a 9 stage charge (Optimate) will have to see what the tester say's after the charge complete's, fingers X'd

7 hours ago, MickDowy said:

Can anybody tell me how much battery power is used when my MacBook Pro is connected via a vLinker FS USB  to OBC on my 1.0 eco Fiesta, when simply scanning as a new user of FORScan.

In order for you to be using FORScan (or any other device) you must have the cars ignition on, and the engine not running. The car uses between 12 and 17 Amp with just the ignition, so it runs the car battery down quite quickly.

If i'm rooting about i run an extension to the car and plug in to be on the safe side. If car battery good and fully charged it should be negligable usage.

 

Unofix,  12 - 17A  wow that is quite a draw, every day is a school day, thanks for the info.

 

Jimpster, what extension are you referring to ?, power to the PC, or a lead plugged into a cigarette, connected to the battery ??

Apologies for not "getting it".

I think that @Jimpster is meaning that he runs a 240V extension lead from his house and connects a battery charger to the car battery while he is working on it, which is the correct thing to do.

Profession garages connect what they call a "battery saver" or "battery maintainer" when working on the car so as not to run the battery flat.

Ah!, got it, that's what I do when charging, using a spare 21v I have acting as a saver / maintainer.

Now I can simply connect my Milenco Optimate 20 on a maintaining charge.

Thanks again for spelling it out.

If you are not actually doing any Programming or Service Procedures and just playing around you can keep the Engine running as an alternative.

46 minutes ago, unofix said:

I think that @Jimpster is meaning that he runs a 240V extension lead from his house and connects a battery charger to the car battery while he is working on it, which is the correct thing to do.

Profession garages connect what they call a "battery saver" or "battery maintainer" when working on the car so as not to run the battery flat.

Yes charger to the battery and a mains feed to the laptop, negates any risk of power outage as much as possible.

Tizer, certain procedures can only be done without the engine running, FORscan will tell you when.

23 minutes ago, Jimpster said:

Tizer, certain procedures can only be done without the engine running, FORscan will tell you when.

Yes I know that, and FORScan will also tell you when to make sure the Engine is not running.

If the OP is new to FORScan then he will spend a lot of time playing around which is when he is likely to drain his Battery to a low level and running power to a car is not very convenient for a lot of people including myself so I only use that option when I have to.

Many thanks for your replies.

I am new to for scan (had it for a couple of weeks) but rain has stopped play....

I like the look of it, but yet to "go messing with anything" have seen about 5 DTC's but have to figure out if simply removing them is the proper answer.

Going to add a double socket to my extension to power the charger & laptop to avoid battery drain. 

These type of forums are always a fountain of knowledge, thanks again.

 

MOST IMPORTANT __ BEFORE "PLAYING" BACKUP YOUR CURRENT SETTINGS AND SAVE TO A SAFE FILE.

I CANNOT SHOUT THIS LOUD ENOUGH.

12 minutes ago, Jimpster said:

MOST IMPORTANT __ BEFORE "PLAYING" BACKUP YOUR CURRENT SETTINGS AND SAVE TO A SAFE FILE.

I CANNOT SHOUT THIS LOUD ENOUGH.

LOUDER!!!