Wiper Mechanism; Quiescent Drain; Battery Cables - Lotus Evora Service Notes

Lotus Service Notes
Starting difficulties may be encountered after an unattended period of 3 weeks. A battery conditioner is able to
continuously monitor battery charge state and switch on and off automatically in order to maintain the battery
in a fully charged condition without danger of damage through overcharging.
If the battery becomes discharged to the extent that the car cannot be started, the recommended course
of action is to fit a substitute battery whilst the original battery is trickle charged. If, in an emergency, the car
has to be 'jump' started, the subsequent conditions of car use may not allow for sufficient alternator charging of
the battery to achieve a fully charged state. The battery should be trickle charged by external means until 12.8
volts is recorded, which process may take 24 hours or longer. Putting the battery into service at a lower state
of charge will reduce the time period for which the car can be parked without subsequent starting concerns. A
battery left in a fully discharged state for a prolonged period, may not be recoverable to its original condition.
Unless using an automatic battery management charger, the battery should be removed from the car for
recharging, to a well ventilated area to avoid a build up of fumes in the luggage compartment and to prevent
damage to the car's electrical system. Observe the safety precautions listed above when removing the bat-
tery and take care to avoid sharp knocks or shocks, keeping the battery as upright as possible. Beware of the
considerable weight of a battery, and take necessary precautions against personal injury.
The recommended bench charge rate is 4 amps. When the battery is fully charged (12.8 volts), allow it
to stand for an hour before refitting into the battery well and reconnecting the leads - see above.

Quiescent Drain

With a fully charged battery, a car with no aftermarket electrical equipment fitted, all electrics switched
off, and the alarm system either armed or disarmed, will have a quiescent current drain of between 27 - 32 mA
dependent on audio and sat. nav. options. Under normal conditions, this should allow a park period of over
four weeks before starting difficulties may be encountered.
If current drain is found to significantly exceed specification, the cause must be established by isolating
components (e.g. at fusebox) and rectifying faults as necessary.

Battery Cables

Two red cables are connected to the battery positive post. One leads to the solenoid on the starter motor.
A second cable leads to the positive post fixed to the back of the cabin bulhead in the LHR wheelarch area,
and includes an 'in-line' 150A fuse. This post is linked via a cable routed through the LH sill area to the front
mounted positive post on the top of the passenger side scuttle, and from here to the main fusebox/relay panel
at the front of the passenger footwell.
A braided earth cable connects the negative battery terminal to the chassis rear earth point, on the inside
face of the LH siderail, at the LHF of the engine bay, accessible from beneath. Two further cables link this point
to the transmission casing, and to the rear fusebox and ECU mounting bracket at the LHR of the cabin.
WARNING: Before disconnecting a live feed cable from either post, first disconnect the earth cable from
the battery. Be aware of the danger of short circuits and sparks caused by a live feed cable contacting
the chassis or other metal components.
The rear positive post is mounted on a bracket which also secures the left hand end of the evaporative
emissions canister, and is accessible with the wheelarch liner and/or rear clamshell removed. Special care
should be taken to prevent sparks in this area. When re-connecting the rear positive post, note that two spac-
ers A075W4020Z should first be fitted onto each stud, before each pair of cables is assembled back to back,
with the battery and front fusebox cables on the front stud, and the alternator and rear fusebox cables on the
rear stud. Tighten the M8 retaining nuts to 16 Nm.
MR.9 - WIPER MECHANISM
The windscreen wiper mechanism comprises a uni-directional motor with an external rotary link, a con-
necting rod, and a pair of actuating links which join the connecting rod to the arms of the wiper spindle. This
mechanism provides the wiper with a motion which is slowed at each end of its travel in order to ease the
inertia loads during direction changes, to the benefit of refinement and durability. The motor and wheelbox are
mounted on a single pressed steel bracket which is bolted to the underside of the windscreen frame.
Section MR
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