Batery flat even with Accumate connected...

[TeeDubYa]

Title says it all really. Went to start the car last night and only just a glimmer of power in the battery, not enough to start, even though I have an accumate charger on all the time plugged into the 12v socket. Any ideas, starting to wonder if my battery is on it's way out.

Cheers

[shadowninja]

Might be something that's staying on when it should be off, thus draining the power. Get it to your friendly independent tvr service guy.

[richy759]

sounds like a typical dead battery to me. Do the lights dim when you turn the key?

[TeeDubYa]

lights do dim when turn the key, to the point of starter solonoid clicking and not turning over. As I was half in / out of my garage last night and started raining, I bump started it (i know it's not wise) just to get back in the garage, after of course a quick blast down the road and ran fine.

Really puzzled by this one, it's happened once before, 6 months ago but not since. I'll keep looking unless you guys and gals have any other ideas?

cheers

[shadowninja]

Well, yes, it's a symptom of a dead battery but what is the dead battery a symptom of?

[K4TRV]

Never assume - check your 12v socket and accumate plug. Then check the voltage across the batt terminals, or at the alternator - it's easier. Without Accumate, probably 12.2 to 12.8 volts?? With Accumate you should be seeing 13.8 at least after an hour or so. If not you have a bad connection or a bad Accumate - what "leds" are lit ??.

Last point is how old is the battery? Over 3-years, probably time for a new one, but still check your connections - never assume !!

Trev McM

[richy759]

Easy shadowninja, the op asked if it sounded like his battery was on the way out and I agreed.

Agree with K4TRV in that its worth looking at the battery voltage when the accumate is not connected and when it isn't, and aswell (you might need someone to help) when you turn the key to crank.

If it goes from not being able to start the car with a low voltage to green light (I think thats the one that says its fully charged) on accumate in a few minutes then it does sound like the battery is dead.
They basically turn into big capacitors once they die.
Then its the fun task of trying to figure out if there is a problem causing the drain.

Rich

[jaxdanjo]

Disconnect the battery from the car and leave it charging for a while, then re-connect and test. This will eliminate any drain caused by the car and will confirm duff battery.

Edited by jaxdanjo on Monday 18th August 17:07

Edited by jaxdanjo on Monday 18th August 17:08

[shadowninja]

Fair point. Wasn't having a go, though.

[TeeDubYa]

Cheers all. Cleaned the accumate connections last night and the 12v cigarette lighter end and ran it over night. Although the accumate light is still orange (charging?) there seems to be a healthy charge and started easily tonight. Hopefull the light will turn green soon and keep topping it up. I'll keep you informed, but seems like it's sorted with your help. Cheers again.

Edited by TeeDubYa on Monday 18th August 18:27