Do I have a dead battery?
Discussion
New owner of a 2 year old R300 with very few miles (1250). First Caterham, so I am not sure what is normal.
After starting the car a few times in one morning it barely turns the motor over, and once already the car needed to be jump-started.
I have monitored the standing voltage after a long run and it is 12.6V (basically fully charged), but when starting the car the battery voltage drops to under 8V.
Normally, I would consider all this a problem (especially the voltage drop when starting the car) but I am not sure what is expected from these, quite small, Banner batteries.
Do I need a new one? What voltage are others seeing during engine start-up?
After starting the car a few times in one morning it barely turns the motor over, and once already the car needed to be jump-started.
I have monitored the standing voltage after a long run and it is 12.6V (basically fully charged), but when starting the car the battery voltage drops to under 8V.
Normally, I would consider all this a problem (especially the voltage drop when starting the car) but I am not sure what is expected from these, quite small, Banner batteries.
Do I need a new one? What voltage are others seeing during engine start-up?
Yes, all cells have fluid above the material.
I see 14V when cursing @ 3000rpm, so the alternator is working fine. The battery is 12.6 to 12.7 at rest, so it does charge. But the worrying figure is the 7.5-8V voltage when cranking the engine - even when the battery is fully charged. It seems to not have any 'oomph'. On a normal car I would be inclined to call it dead, but I am not sure what is normal for a Caterham.
I see 14V when cursing @ 3000rpm, so the alternator is working fine. The battery is 12.6 to 12.7 at rest, so it does charge. But the worrying figure is the 7.5-8V voltage when cranking the engine - even when the battery is fully charged. It seems to not have any 'oomph'. On a normal car I would be inclined to call it dead, but I am not sure what is normal for a Caterham.
Yes, all cells have fluid above the material.
I see 14V when cruising @ 3000rpm, so the alternator is working fine. The battery is 12.6 to 12.7 at rest, so it does charge. But the worrying figure is the 7.5-8V voltage when cranking the engine - even when the battery is fully charged. It seems to not have any 'oomph'. On a normal car I would be inclined to call it dead, but I am not sure what is normal for a Caterham.
I see 14V when cruising @ 3000rpm, so the alternator is working fine. The battery is 12.6 to 12.7 at rest, so it does charge. But the worrying figure is the 7.5-8V voltage when cranking the engine - even when the battery is fully charged. It seems to not have any 'oomph'. On a normal car I would be inclined to call it dead, but I am not sure what is normal for a Caterham.
Edited by rotorwings on Friday 11th April 05:36
sjmmarsh - I think we both might have tired batteries. 
A voltage drop of nearly 50% seems to be indicate a tired or underspecified battery.
It will turn over a couple of times maybe before starting. Unless it doesn't turn over
Yes, I've played with depressing the clutch. It helps.
What are others seeing as a cranking voltage?
A voltage drop of nearly 50% seems to be indicate a tired or underspecified battery.
It will turn over a couple of times maybe before starting. Unless it doesn't turn over
Yes, I've played with depressing the clutch. It helps.
What are others seeing as a cranking voltage?
Edited by rotorwings on Friday 11th April 10:20
So, it was definitely the battery!
I picked up a new one this morning and now it starts with real enthusiasm. The lowest voltage I have seen during cranking is 10.1
If anyone is looking for an alternative to the often expensive Banner battery let me know. I got a 'Panther' branded one (also a 53034 and seemingly identical) for 48€ (~£40). Panther are a German company and I don't know if you can get them in the UK, but you can get them delivered from various sources.
But, the car definitely does not charge the battery at idle. Where do I get a smaller alternator pulley to fix this?
I picked up a new one this morning and now it starts with real enthusiasm. The lowest voltage I have seen during cranking is 10.1
If anyone is looking for an alternative to the often expensive Banner battery let me know. I got a 'Panther' branded one (also a 53034 and seemingly identical) for 48€ (~£40). Panther are a German company and I don't know if you can get them in the UK, but you can get them delivered from various sources.
But, the car definitely does not charge the battery at idle. Where do I get a smaller alternator pulley to fix this?
Edited by rotorwings on Saturday 12th April 18:52
Gassing Station | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff