Flat battery

[shep1001]

When to start the Tam this morning and the battery was flat! not 'flat as a witches tit just enough so it would not crank sufficiently to fire the engine. Seemed to be holding 13-13.5 volts when under load on a run so suspect it is getting charged. Your help please!

1) how long can the battery be reasonably expected to last (I suspect its the one from new so 6 yrs old)
2) car is outside does the cold weather kill em? only use the car at weekedns but on a regular basis this is the first time it has happened.
3) I notice when I jumped off my Jag (high Amp battery) it started much easier than it dose off its own, is this a sign of a failing battery or just that the higher cap battery makes starting easyer.
4) If I am going to replace the battery what is reccomended? same spec or higher capacity, assuming it will fit.

Thanks all your help is appreciated. Now for an overnight trip away armed with jump leads and the AA's number just in case.......

[KillerJim]

shep1001 said:

When to start the Tam this morning and the battery was flat! not 'flat as a witches tit just enough so it would not crank sufficiently to fire the engine. Seemed to be holding 13-13.5 volts when under load on a run so suspect it is getting charged. Your help please!

1) how long can the battery be reasonably expected to last (I suspect its the one from new so 6 yrs old)
2) car is outside does the cold weather kill em? only use the car at weekedns but on a regular basis this is the first time it has happened.
3) I notice when I jumped off my Jag (high Amp battery) it started much easier than it dose off its own, is this a sign of a failing battery or just that the higher cap battery makes starting easyer.
4) If I am going to replace the battery what is reccomended? same spec or higher capacity, assuming it will fit.

Thanks all your help is appreciated. Now for an overnight trip away armed with jump leads and the AA's number just in case.......

1) Depends on how the car is used, a new battery won`t last more than a few months if you don`t drive the car.. Assuming my battery was in the car from new, it last 3 1/2 years (16k miles)
2) I use mine much the same, lives outdoors (covered) and used @ weekends mainly - the battery died 2 weeks ago when the cold weather got to it.
3) Yes..
4) My Sag had a 620amp battery, I replaced it with a 630amp and its fine. If the Tam stores the battery behind the wheel, I would recommend removing the battery first as it was a pain to locate an exact match (given the battery is quite small)

J

[rolex]

I generally use my car only at weekends and keep the battery topped up with a trickle charger http://www.accumate.co.uk/ not only does it charge but it maintains the battery in good condition when not in regular use. The charger sits in the footwell connected via an extension cable from the house and plugs into the cig lighter point. My battery is almost five years old and still in good condition. Highly recommended.

[grumbledoak]

Six years is about as long as they last, really. It is worse if the car isn't used often (they don't like being flat) and the cold weather will inhibit the chemical reaction, too (it doesn't kill them as such, but a weak one will be more likely to fail, IYSWIM).

Not sure which one you need; I guess I should find out, but it sounds like 'replacement' time...

[Targarama]

6 years is a long time for a battery in most cars. I replaced mine a few months back at 4.5 years rather than have problems. Mine sits on a trickle charger too, but they can disguise a battery failing.

[L33]

For future reference to anyone looking through this post and wondering what type battery they need, I replaced the battery in my Tam today:

Type 072 came out and I couldn't find a replacement anywhere so I opted for a type 069.
The 069 is the same size as the 072 but a slightly higher ampage (680 amp compared to 590 amp, although I guess ampages between manufactures may be slightly different).

Could just be me, but it appears to start much better and run even better than before???


L33

[Targarama]

L33 said:

For future reference to anyone looking through this post and wondering what type battery they need, I replaced the battery in my Tam today:

Type 072 came out and I couldn't find a replacement anywhere so I opted for a type 069.
The 069 is the same size as the 072 but a slightly higher ampage (680 amp compared to 590 amp, although I guess ampages between manufactures may be slightly different).

Could just be me, but it appears to start much better and run even better than before???


L33

Well yeah, you had a flat battery so it will start and run better now :0

[KillerJim]

The mans got a point - lol

[shep1001]

L33; do they do two versions, one with the terminals reversed so the +ve can be located on other side to prevent shorting?

Shep

[VARLEYHYD]

shep1001 said:

Do they do two versions, one with the terminals reversed so the +ve can be located on other side to prevent shorting?

Shep

Here we go

Battery options

To move positive treminal away from chassis do this Late Sagaris style mod for Tuscan,Tamora, and most T350's:-

You will need a new 036 Round post battery ( opposite hand from standard battery 069)

Check the length of the cable that goes around the chassis will be long enough to stretch to the new +ve position (they usually don't)
The power steer cable is usually OK but check that too

If not; Get a pre-made red cable 40mm2 x 2260mm long with 10mm eyes

The Anderson connector leads maybe be too long so cut these back if you want and consider fitting a boot to cover the cables from water ingress.

Get any modified or new cables professionaly crimped & soldered to avoid dry joints

Here's mine as fitted to Sagaris, but i have since removed surplus cable length from that in photo.



Fit the edges of the battery cover with sponge neoprene seal to reduce water in the compartment

Fit an anderson water tight cover Durite part number 0-431-97,with grease to the charge socket to stop rusting up/ shorting etc.

Disconnect Negative first
Reconnect Positive first


Hope this helps

Check my profile web page for more info

G: