Originally Posted by
geofffenton
Thanks for the input KDW4Him. I've always thought that a battery would drain if the alternator wasn't providing enough boost. At the moment I'm driving short distances only, the weather is poor over here so maybe lights, heating and wipers are being used; draining rather than charging the battery. Are you thinking the battery is beyond recharging?
Any engine speed above about 1000 to 1100 rpm will provide over 80 amps from the alternator. Unless your engine cooling fan is running high speed (and it isn't), then there is sufficient output to keep the battery charged UNLESS you sit in traffic a LOT.
The only incident I saw where the battery was not being charged due to driving style was when I my dad drove his car 1/2 mile to and from work. The 300 or more amps required to start the car was not compensated for in the 1/2 mile drive at low speed thru a residential neighborhood.
You need a new battery.