Battery State of Charge (SOC)

[AdamD]

80% new delivery reading.
Noticed the battery condition/test card with the logbook - wonder how they test.

They would put a voltmeter on the battery at idle and under load, and check the voltage.

I use an Auto-polar FIS+ in my Mk6 GTI, and it reports (amongst many other things) the CANBUS-measured battery voltage in my MFD in real time - handy!

I wouldn't be surprised if the Mk7 percentage readout is based on a combination of this measured voltage and some other age-related metrics, but I'm only speculating.

[DV52]

They would put a voltmeter on the battery at idle and under load, and check the voltage.

I use an Auto-polar FIS+ in my Mk6 GTI, and it reports (amongst many other things) the CANBUS-measured battery voltage in my MFD in real time - handy!

I wouldn't be surprised if the Mk7 percentage readout is based on a combination of this measured voltage and some other age-related metrics, but I'm only speculating.

AdamD: I'd never heard of an "Auto-polar FIS+". I just had a quick squiz on the net. What an intriguing little device? What do you use it for and is it model specific for the Golf seriess? Does it work on a mkVII? Also, how is it different to the measuring parameters that are available with a VCDS cable? Is one better than the other? If so, in what areas? So many questions - sorry

[Idle]

Had one on my Mk6 — it was an interesting device, as you say.
It can do some of the things the VCDS cable does, but not all (and, of course, vice-versa) — if forced to choose, Rosstech would win.

As yet it doesn't work with Mk7, which has had its electronics completely reworked and seemingly made as difficult as possible — I wish it did, for mine is now languishing on the shelf.

[DonJuan]

With the MK6 the Autopolar reads the current charge rate as you're driving which is really only an indicator that your alternator is charging the battery. To do a proper battery test you need so calibrated equipment and a load testing machine to put a load through the battery. The battery needs to be fully charged to perform the test as you get incorrect readings if the battery is below full charge.

Start/stop sounds like a great feature for economy but I believe that due to the chemistry and how a starting battery works, the constant starting will reduce the lifetime of the battery.

[DV52]

Had one on my Mk6 — it was an interesting device, as you say.
It can do some of the things the VCDS cable does, but not all (and, of course, vice-versa) — if forced to choose, Rosstech would win.

As yet it doesn't work with Mk7, which has had its electronics completely reworked and seemingly made as difficult as possible — I wish it did, for mine is now languishing on the shelf.

Idle: OK. So, from your saying, am I right in thinking of the Auto Polar as as a real-time measuring platform but it uses the MDF as the read-out screen. A bit like having a VCDS sitting beside you monitring "measurement parameters" while you drive. Is this correct?
I assume that it plugs into the ODBII plug (same as the VCDS)
Sounds neat! Pity that it doesn't support the 5G/5Q platform

[Transporter]

Idle: OK. So, from your saying, am I right in thinking of the Auto Polar as as a real-time measuring platform but it uses the MDF as the read-out screen. A bit like having a VCDS sitting beside you monitring "measurement parameters" while you drive. Is this correct?
I assume that it plugs into the ODBII plug (same as the VCDS)
Sounds neat! Pity that it doesn't support the 5G/5Q platform

The battery voltage read out on its own is not a very accurate indicator of the battery state of charge. The VCDS gives you heaps more data (if not all) about the battery SOC.

[DV52]

With the MK6 the Autopolar reads the current charge rate as you're driving which is really only an indicator that your alternator is charging the battery. To do a proper battery test you need so calibrated equipment and a load testing machine to put a load through the battery. The battery needs to be fully charged to perform the test as you get incorrect readings if the battery is below full charge.

Start/stop sounds like a great feature for economy but I believe that due to the chemistry and how a starting battery works, the constant starting will reduce the lifetime of the battery.

DonJuan: like you, I'm not a fan of Stop/Start. It claims to be better for the environment, but I wonder if anyone has looked at the "womb-to-tomb" lifecycle of the facility for a net benefit.

From my understanding of the facility, more energy is needed in the life cycle of stop/start because:

• you need larger battery from the outset,
• the battery must be charged more often
• if you are correct about reduced battery life, battery replacement is sooner
• you need a more robust starter motor from the outset
• the starter motor may have to be replaced more often (not sure about this)?

On the reverse side of the equation, there is an obvious fuel saving when the engine is not running.

The question is - is there actually a net benefit over the life of the vehicle? Or perhaps the better question is: how much stop-start traffic do you need to get a net benefit (and how many of us actually experience that level of stop-start traffic)?

[DV52]

[QUOTE=Transporter;1027811]The battery voltage read out on its own is not a very accurate indicator of the battery state of charge. The VCDS gives you heaps more data (if not all) about the battery SOC.[/QUOTE

Transporter: (what is a super moderator?) Thanks, it still looks like an interesting piece-of-kit. Shame that it doesn't support the mkVII

[tigger73]

Idle: OK. So, from your saying, am I right in thinking of the Auto Polar as as a real-time measuring platform but it uses the MDF as the read-out screen. A bit like having a VCDS sitting beside you monitring "measurement parameters" while you drive. Is this correct?
I assume that it plugs into the ODBII plug (same as the VCDS)
Sounds neat! Pity that it doesn't support the 5G/5Q platform

The Autopolar guys are working on a mk7 version. I believe this will be a firmware update to existing hardware.

This sits in the infotainment bus not in the OBD port like a lot of other devices. It physically connects in off your CANbus gateway unit and works for most mk5 and mk6 platform vehicles with full height MFD.

It allows you to display a lot of diagnostic data direct on your MFD. It also enables a number of comfort features including mirror dipping in reverse.

Theres a whole thread on this in the audio/electronics forum: http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/...ide-80439.html


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Transporter]

DonJuan: like you, I'm not a fan of Stop/Start. It claims to be better for the environment, but I wonder if anyone has looked at the "womb-to-tomb" lifecycle of the facility for a net benefit.

From my understanding of the facility, more energy is needed in the life cycle of stop/start because:

• you need larger battery from the outset,
• the battery must be charged more often
• if you are correct about reduced battery life, battery replacement is sooner
• you need a more robust starter motor from the outset
• the starter motor may have to be replaced more often (not sure about this)?

On the reverse side of the equation, there is an obvious fuel saving when the engine is not running.

The question is - is there actually a net benefit over the life of the vehicle? Or perhaps the better question is: how much stop-start traffic do you need to get a net benefit (and how many of us actually experience that level of stop-start traffic)?

The starter motor and the ring gear on the flywheel are beefed up in the engines with stop start technology. The AGM battery will have most likely just a normal lifespan if you use the stop start feature. I'd like to hope that one could get a double life from the AGM battery with the stop start switched off.

[Alex31]

I am under the impression that it is not the starter motor used for the stop/start system in cars, rather a 2 stage starter solenoid.

[Idle]

Idle: OK. So, from your saying, am I right in thinking of the Auto Polar as as a real-time measuring platform but it uses the MDF as the read-out screen. A bit like having a VCDS sitting beside you monitring "measurement parameters" while you drive. Is this correct?
I assume that it plugs into the ODBII plug (same as the VCDS)
Sounds neat! Pity that it doesn't support the 5G/5Q platform

No, it plugs straight into the gateway connector, remaining out of sight and leaving the ODB socket free.

However, to use a VCDS it has to be turned off — since they use the same data source they won't cohabit.

I think that supporting the current platform, which can itself display a few more parameters, will entail a major redesign — not holding my breath...

[Idle]

I am under the impression that it is not the starter motor used for the stop/start system in cars, rather a 2 stage starter solenoid.

My diesel uses the starter motor in the normal way — some other brands have a method of stopping the engine at a specified point during compression, but so far as I know this can only work with spark, not compression ignition.

Incidentally, this idea is almost as old as motoring itself, "starting on the switch" was used by a few prestige makes in the early 1900's. Of course, it was chancy and if it didn't work you got out and hand-cranked the engine.

[DV52]

The Autopolar guys are working on a mk7 version. I believe this will be a firmware update to existing hardware.

This sits in the infotainment bus not in the OBD port like a lot of other devices. It physically connects in off your CANbus gateway unit and works for most mk5 and mk6 platform vehicles with full height MFD.

It allows you to display a lot of diagnostic data direct on your MFD. It also enables a number of comfort features including mirror dipping in reverse.

Theres a whole thread on this in the audio/electronics forum: http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/...ide-80439.html


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Tigger73: had a look at your thread (thanks for the link). I gota get me one of these! Any idea when the firmware upgrade for the mkVII will be available?

[DV52]

I am under the impression that it is not the starter motor used for the stop/start system in cars, rather a 2 stage starter solenoid.

Alex: what do you mean by "two stage starter solenoid"? Are you referring to the prime starter solenoid and the hold-in solenoid? I'm not that familiar with VW's starters, but I had thought that this was not out-of-the-ordinary for modern starter solenoids.