Datatek
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 46,470
- Location
- Near Poitiers SW France
Friday, car started perfectly as usual, 30Km run to town, several starts no problem. Sunday, went to start the car to collect lost visitors, turned the key, all normal, glow light out, turned to start all the lights went out, release the key all hell let loose with beeps and messages, tried again, same result. No time to check jump in Transit, collect visitors.
Now the important bit. Monday afternoon checked the battery voltage, 12.83volts, should be OK for a start, tried and again all the lights went out. Dissed a few things, no difference, so got the wife to turn the key while I looked at the meter, volts dropped to nothing. Battery failed. Proved by substituting a tractor battery and it started fine.
I've never had a battery fail completely from one day to the next in warm weather. It goes to prove that a voltage reading does not prove the battery is OK. The failed battery was a Schnapp 644 95AH 850CCA and it was exactly 3 years old.
The replacement is an Alphaline D31-1000, 135AH 1000CCA with a 4 year guarantee. it's a tight fit under the cover. Got it from www.batterymegastore who operate in the UK and France 131 delivered.
Now the important bit. Monday afternoon checked the battery voltage, 12.83volts, should be OK for a start, tried and again all the lights went out. Dissed a few things, no difference, so got the wife to turn the key while I looked at the meter, volts dropped to nothing. Battery failed. Proved by substituting a tractor battery and it started fine.
I've never had a battery fail completely from one day to the next in warm weather. It goes to prove that a voltage reading does not prove the battery is OK. The failed battery was a Schnapp 644 95AH 850CCA and it was exactly 3 years old.
The replacement is an Alphaline D31-1000, 135AH 1000CCA with a 4 year guarantee. it's a tight fit under the cover. Got it from www.batterymegastore who operate in the UK and France 131 delivered.
