auto electrical question
Originally Posted by Gaspode,May 15 2009, 08:29 PM
Battery seems very low.
You'll get readings higher than 12V when the car is running as the alternator output is higher to compensate for a load on the battery, such as the radio, A/C etc, and to maintain the charging of the battery itself.
The figures suggest the alternator is OK, so it will be the battery, or you have a drain. You still need to check for a drain using the method I mentioned last night, if nothing is untoward is indicated when you check the battery tomorrow.
HTH
Originally Posted by loftust,May 15 2009, 08:55 PM
The figures suggest the alternator is OK, so it will be the battery, or you have a drain. You still need to check for a drain using the method I mentioned last night, if nothing is untoward is indicated when you check the battery tomorrow.
HTH
Originally Posted by RUSS H,May 14 2009, 05:51 PM
A flat battery is 12v, half charged about 12.4v, full 12.8v.
Near 10.5v a cell is knackered.
Car running around 13.5v +
Batteries tend to die very quickly nowadays.
Take a reading fully charged (12.8v), disconect earth lead
overnight and check in the morning. Should be no drop apart
from a cold related one of no more than 0.1v
Near 10.5v a cell is knackered.
Car running around 13.5v +
Batteries tend to die very quickly nowadays.
Take a reading fully charged (12.8v), disconect earth lead
overnight and check in the morning. Should be no drop apart
from a cold related one of no more than 0.1v
12.45v is low.
Have the battery 'drop' tested (or Load tested), possibly
free at some places. Takes a minute and will pinpoint
the battery most likely.
As I said batteries die quite sharpish these days not like
they used to do when they gave some warning. Usualy
at the onset of winter though.
Russ.
just tested the battery after a night unconnected
it now reads 12.40
connected the trickle charger and it went to fully charged within seconds
(btw this is the correct battery for the car and a heavy duty version)
it now reads 12.40
connected the trickle charger and it went to fully charged within seconds
(btw this is the correct battery for the car and a heavy duty version)
Originally Posted by loftust,May 14 2009, 06:03 PM
You may have a drain on your battery if the battery itself and alternator are ok, caused by an alarm, immobiliser or something similar.
To check for this, proceed as follows:
Ensure the car is off.
Set the multimeter to 'A'. If you have different ranges for 'A', use a low one, around 2 should be sufficient.
Disconnect the +ve terminal on the battery.
Connect one multimeter probe to the +ve terminal, the other one to the +ve battery lead.
If you have a reading of more than 0.1 Amps, then you have something sucking the life out of your battery.
HTH
To check for this, proceed as follows:
Ensure the car is off.
Set the multimeter to 'A'. If you have different ranges for 'A', use a low one, around 2 should be sufficient.
Disconnect the +ve terminal on the battery.
Connect one multimeter probe to the +ve terminal, the other one to the +ve battery lead.
If you have a reading of more than 0.1 Amps, then you have something sucking the life out of your battery.
HTH
all leads pointing to the battery?
You could try leaving the battery off the car; if it's drained overnight again, you cannot blame the Omega!
It sounds like the battery has developed an internal short, probably as a result of a manufacturing defect.
It sounds like the battery has developed an internal short, probably as a result of a manufacturing defect.
battery returned to Halfords
internal failure apparently - exchanged no problem so another 4yr warranty
thanks for all the advice in the thread - I must use that multimeter more often
internal failure apparently - exchanged no problem so another 4yr warranty
thanks for all the advice in the thread - I must use that multimeter more often
Originally Posted by arsie,May 17 2009, 08:33 AM
Another warranty? I thought they run from original purchase date?
BTW good thread for muppets like me ...
BTW good thread for muppets like me ...
but it's a new battery - so I can't see why the warranty doesn't restart from the date of the replacement
if not, you could have a battery replaced one day from the date of the warranty expiry
have that battery fail two days later, and be refused a replacement
can't see it, but maybe someone knows better





