ND battery under-spec'd?

RBH58 · Postby **RBH58** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 12:25 am

Went overseas for 16 days. Came back to a completely dead 3 month old 3,500km RF. Not enough juice to even give me ignition lights. Going overseas for 2 weeks in a week's time, and a month in 7 weeks time. Not confident I'll have a working vehicle when I get back from these trips.

I think that maybe Mazda took the gram strategy too far with the battery. You can't run 21st gizmos like proximity locking on a motorcycle battery.

I think it's ridiculous that you can't leave a car for two weeks. Anyone else experiencing this?

OMY005 · Postby **OMY005** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 8:20 am

RBH58 wrote: Anyone else experiencing this?

My ND (not RF) can sit for 2-3 weeks with no issues.

Andrew.

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 10:55 am

Warranty. Dud battery?

RBH58 · Postby **RBH58** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 3:39 pm

Apparently I'm not alone. A number of folks reporting battery life problems on new NDs on miata.net

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 3:55 pm

That does not sound right. If that were the case then its underdesigned - unless perhaps something is draining the battery? . First step is visit to the dealer for a check and discussion. I think owners will be interested to see what transpires. Incidentally batteries may not be covered under warranty though if a product is not fit for purpose that maybe another story.

Engineer · Postby **Engineer** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 6:43 pm

Hi,

MX5 batteries are lightweights...I tossed my NB battery and got one of these (850CCA). It is the most powerful battery that will fit in the MX5 battery tray that I could find.

http://www.lithiumax.com.au/_p/prd1/407 ... ry---bonus!

It turns the engine over like a toy!

Highly recommended....but not cheap.

RBH58 · Postby **RBH58** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 7:06 pm

Mr Morlock wrote:That does not sound right. If that were the case then its underdesigned - unless perhaps something is draining the battery? . First step is visit to the dealer for a check and discussion. I think owners will be interested to see what transpires. Incidentally batteries may not be covered under warranty though if a product is not fit for purpose that maybe another story.

I think it's both an underspec'd battery and the systems that remain active when idle (proximity monitoring?) are draining it. I've spoken to the dealer and had them recharge it once. If it happens again when I go away for 2 weeks next month, I won't be accepting that it's "normal" because I've never heard of a brand new car with a brand new battery dying after 2 weeks idle. That's absurd.

RBH58 · Postby **RBH58** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 7:06 pm

Engineer wrote:Hi,

MX5 batteries are lightweights...I tossed my NB battery and got one of these (850CCA). It is the most powerful battery that will fit in the MX5 battery tray that I could find.

http://www.lithiumax.com.au/_p/prd1/407 ... ry---bonus!

It turns the engine over like a toy!

Highly recommended....but not cheap.

I'll do it if necessary.

StillIC · Postby **StillIC** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 7:33 pm

I disconnect the battery on my NA when I am not using it. Always. I think it is a small price to pay for having a light weight battery in a light weight car. I use one of these:
http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Product/SCA-Battery-Terminals-Isolator-Switch-Universal-1-Pack/214448

RBH58 · Postby **RBH58** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 7:49 pm

StillIC wrote:I disconnect the battery on my NA when I am not using it. Always. I think it is a small price to pay for having a light weight battery in a light weight car. I use one of these:
http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Product/SCA-Battery-Terminals-Isolator-Switch-Universal-1-Pack/214448

I shouldn't have to for 2 lousy weeks. And the ND has 21st century systems built in that are always active....if Mazda are going to add those features they need to spec a battery that will keep them alive for a bit more than 2 weeks.

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 8:02 pm

I would be taking it to somewhere non-Mazda to have the battery checked.

RBH58 · Postby **RBH58** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 8:15 pm

project.r.racing wrote:I would be taking it to somewhere non-Mazda to have the battery checked.

I was told by a 3rd party that there was a drain on the battery....the dealer said it was normal and within spec.

As I said....this is not just me.....other owners reporting the same issue on miata.net. I really suspect the battery has been underdone.

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 8:25 pm

Did you lock the car? Our Mazda6 will eat the battery if it is left for an extended period and not physically locked because the car remains in a "ready" state and has a much higher dark current draw. The NC doesn't seem to be similarly affected.

RBH58 · Postby **RBH58** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 8:48 pm

JBT wrote:Did you lock the car? Our Mazda6 will eat the battery if it is left for an extended period and not physically locked because the car remains in a "ready" state and has a much higher dark current draw. The NC doesn't seem to be similarly affected.

Car was locked. The key was 4 stories above the carpark with a layer of reinforced concrete on each level so there was no way that having the key within range was causing the problem either.