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General => The garage => Topic started by: gibson on 24 August 2004, 12:21

Title: flat battery
Post by: gibson on 24 August 2004, 12:21: I seem to have little power from my battery all the time. i am running 2 amps, dvd, monitor and the usual stuff - could this be too much for my standard battery. Also i was wondering if there are any better alternators than the standard ones?? ie from another car at the scrappy ;D

I can only leave the dvd on for 5 mins when the engine's off and the battery will be dead

any ideas??
Title: Re: flat battery
Post by: Purple Monster on 24 August 2004, 20:25: Run a second battery and locate in spare wheel well in boot? or get a huge great big one!!
Title: Re: flat battery
Post by: gibson on 29 August 2004, 19:35: has anyone heard of a higher charging alternator and where you can get one??
Title: Re: flat battery
Post by: Blue MK2 on 30 August 2004, 06:21: Get a Optima Yellow Top battery. Will set you back about 140quid but does the trick if you dont have any room for a second battery?
Title: Re: flat battery
Post by: gibson on 30 August 2004, 14:58: 140!!!!! :o :o :o i only have room for one battery..looks like ill have to start saving the pennies.. Could i not get another battery from a diiferent car and stick that in or will the same thing happen again
Title: Re: flat battery
Post by: Blue MK2 on 30 August 2004, 15:06: 140 if your lucky, these guys are selling them for 199

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/advanced_search_result.php?osCsid=1aceee03364f085c72b0c53b2bac1a17&keywords=optima

Some guy at a audio shop told me that you could use an alternator off a diesel engine. Is this true, i duno ???
Title: Re: flat battery
Post by: gibson on 30 August 2004, 16:47: :o wtf :o for a bloody battery!!!!!! may just spend the 200 on a load of duracell's and bung em all together 8)

Anyone know about the alternator from a diesel??? could be interesting.. Am going to get battery checked soon to make sure it isnt faulty/dried out or whatever else happens to a car's battery :-\
Title: Re: flat battery
Post by: Blue MK2 on 30 August 2004, 16:52: have to topped it up with battery water yet ??? :P
Title: Re: flat battery
Post by: gibson on 30 August 2004, 17:01: No havent done anything apart from connect jump leads to it :-\

I no absolutely balls all about how to sort this out other than buy a new one..

Battery water?? should i take the battery to a garage to get it topped up or what (as i'm guessing ordinary tap water aint gonna work..)
Title: Re: flat battery
Post by: madsingh on 30 August 2004, 19:39: yep u can use a diesel alternator for more power for chargin it but if u got sound get a cap 1.5 or even 2 farad one and get a good battery heavy duty one. i am lookin to buy a battery 2mrow but havent decided i think ppl say bosch one good
Title: Re: flat battery
Post by: JMallows on 30 August 2004, 22:01: Quantum Xcell very good for me, been on my car over 10 years, still fine, though i think this winter will prob kill it off! You need to top it up with distilled/de-ionised water. Available from lots of places i think. Car accesory shops will cost more, i got mine from in-excess. Take off the cap(s) from the top of the battery and top up with this watter to just over the plates in it.
Title: Re: flat battery
Post by: rubjonny on 31 August 2004, 13:59: Halfords do the de-ionised water for dirt cheap, handy for using as coolant too, less chance of corrosion (mixed with anti-freeze obviously)

While you're at Halfords they will test the battery for you for free!
Title: Re: flat battery
Post by: gibson on 02 September 2004, 16:24: thanks for that.. taking it down halfords on saturday.. Getting a diesel alt too.. what car should i be getting the alternator from (at the scrappy) Just any diesel or what??