Dead Cerbie - BattEry advice please

[UKBob]

I drove about 8 miles on Sunday, and didnt drive the car yesterday (Normally I drive the cerb daily without fail). This morning I went to start the car, to find the battory nearly dead. Just a few turns of the starter motor and the battory drained itself flat.

Is it possible that the cerbie has a voltage leak, and is seeping power, or definitely a case of the battory being in need of replacement?

When I was away for 16 days in february, I came back to a [b]completely[/b] dead battory.

Is there a way to diagnose whether a battory is past its best? Is there anything to troubleshoot, or should I just go out and buy a new battory. If the latter, what is the best most powerful long lasting (4.5 98 if it matters) cerbie battory I can buy?

[t8rus]

have you checked the 100amp fuse, problem might be that the batterys not being charged properly???

[andy4200]

Agree with him ^^^^^ check the fuse.

If it's not the fuse then see if the battery is getting charged by sticking a meter on it when the car is running. Give it a few revs and see what voltage you get. Should be around 13.5 - 14.5 volts normally.

[UKBob]

Last time the fuse went, the revs went psycho space monkeys in the 20 minutes proceeding battory drainage. The battory charged up ok, I did 30 mins of driving last night and all appears perfectly normal so I fugure the fuse (which is 2 months old) is ok.

[NJW 77]

Sorry Rob, Ive resisted so far but cant hold out any longer....

It's spelt battery, mate

[olly]

LOL - was waiting for someone to comment !

The best (read cheapest) place to get a Cerb battery that I found was National Tyres... I paid £47 about a year ago for a "standard" replacement...

[mike_e]

Fuse may have come loose, worth checking before jumping in with a new battery. Easiest way to check is put a voltmeter on the battery when running as mentioned above. 12V or less = no charge.

Also, check the interior and boot lights are left not on. Easy to miss internal lights at this time of year.

[UKBob]

mike_e said:

Fuse may have come loose, worth checking before jumping in with a new battery. Easiest way to check is put a voltmeter on the battery when running as mentioned above. 12V or less = no charge. Also, check the interior and boot lights are left not on. Easy to miss internal lights at this time of year.

How does one check whether the boot light is on, without folding up, entering the boot cavity and closing the lid?

There must be something very obvious which im missing

[cerber450]

There is a switch/button in the boot that gets pressed when you close the boot. To check if its that, press it while the boot lid is up and see if the light goes out!

You can get a battery tested for a faulty cell it shouldn't cost much if anything that way you'll know if its the battery or something draining it.

If the battery is fine get the alternator checked to see what charge its putting out if its fine then look at the wiring as it could be anything in the loop!

[Rich25]

If you're getting a new battry then definitely get an Optima Yellow Top. Cost quite a bit more but loads of CCA. I used to run a massive sound system off them as they are effectively power boat batteries.

Recently left my car at airport 3 weeks and started first time when I got back. Also quite col to see the sliver of yellow in the engine bay in the gap between bonnet and wing.

[UKBob]

Rich25 said:

If you're getting a new battry then definitely get an Optima Yellow Top. Cost quite a bit more but loads of CCA. I used to run a massive sound system off them as they are effectively power boat batteries. Recently left my car at airport 3 weeks and started first time when I got back. Also quite col to see the sliver of yellow in the engine bay in the gap between bonnet and wing.

What is CCS... juice, effectively?

My knowlege of amps, volts and suchlike is embarassingly smaller than my knowlege of general car maintenance... can I just find and order one of these batterys, or does a voltage, amps or wattage check need to be done? What about size? I dont suppose you have a link to a recommended battery?

[500bhp]

I agree with rich25, had lots of problems with the battery, tried all sorts including a secondry earth. Then bought an optima yellow top and no problems so far - 6 months on! touch wood.

[UKBob]

500bhp said:

I agree with rich25, had lots of problems with the battery, tried all sorts including a secondry earth. Then bought an optima yellow top and no problems so far - 6 months on! touch wood.

I'll have to go for one of these then, any particular size or are they all the same size?

[alex200mph]

You could always go up to Halfords, they do a free battery check to check the condition of the battery. Might help you isolate where you are having the problem from..

[500bhp]

There are different sizes, my cerbie is away being serviced at present - so can't say exact size, but I got the battery from Demon Tweeks, just tell them what battery you have know & they will sort you out - pricey though!!!