battery question. am i wrong or right?
10-02-2002, 06:17 AM
#11
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Originally posted by seung
hmm... i got my stereo installed last year... so i don't think that's the problem.
other than that, nothing electrical.
hmm... i got my stereo installed last year... so i don't think that's the problem.
other than that, nothing electrical.
A couple of quick tests you can do. Check the voltage across your battery with the car running, it should be around 14.2V. If it is lower than this, you most likely have an alternator problem. If it is at 14.2V, your alternator is fine and your battery is no longer holding a charge.
If your stereo is drawing more than the electrical system can provide, you will have this problem again in the future (even if you replace the battery)...it' s just a matter of time. The only real solution is to beef up your electrical system. I had this problem on a previous car...my solution was to run 2 alternators...never had electrical problems again (kept the car for over 7-8 years in that configuration). In the S2000, we do not have this option, unless you want to remove the A/C. Best bet is a larger battery or better yet an alternator with more current capability.
Hope this helps.
10-02-2002, 07:37 AM
#13
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Originally posted by Jenner
You realize that when you jump the car, all you are doing is starting the car. You are not filling the battery with power again. You would have to drive it alot longer than it seems like you are in order to recharge the battery.
Either buy a new battery or get a trickle charger and plug it into the wall and hook it up to the battery overnight and totally recharge the battery.
You realize that when you jump the car, all you are doing is starting the car. You are not filling the battery with power again. You would have to drive it alot longer than it seems like you are in order to recharge the battery.
Either buy a new battery or get a trickle charger and plug it into the wall and hook it up to the battery overnight and totally recharge the battery.
but i go down to ny every weekends- that's 3 hours driving and another 3 hours back...
well, may be even that's not enough.
i'll try your solution too.
thank you.
10-02-2002, 08:56 AM
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Ahh, okay you don't have a big stereo in the car. You should not have a current draw problem then. Still try the voltmeter test, it will tell you if the alternator or the battery is the problem.
10-02-2002, 09:03 AM
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by seung
[B]
yeah... i was thinking that too-
but i go down to ny every weekends- that's 3 hours driving and another 3 hours back...
well, may be even that's not enough.
[B]
yeah... i was thinking that too-
but i go down to ny every weekends- that's 3 hours driving and another 3 hours back...
well, may be even that's not enough.
10-02-2002, 09:20 AM
#17
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There is a phenomenon called "Dark Current" which is what ever draws electrons out of the battery when the key is turned off such as radio memory, alarm system, etc.
You need to measure the dark current draw by placing the positive lead to your volt ohm meter on the top of the battery post, the neg lead on the cable while it is connected to the battery, then pull the cable up over but not touching the positive lead so only the leads are making a connection and all the current is going through the meter.
Read the meter. The normal draw is about 10 to 20 mA. If there is more draw then some of your accessories are killing your battery. If you have normal draw then your battery needs to be replaced.
HTH,
Woodwork
You need to measure the dark current draw by placing the positive lead to your volt ohm meter on the top of the battery post, the neg lead on the cable while it is connected to the battery, then pull the cable up over but not touching the positive lead so only the leads are making a connection and all the current is going through the meter.
Read the meter. The normal draw is about 10 to 20 mA. If there is more draw then some of your accessories are killing your battery. If you have normal draw then your battery needs to be replaced.
HTH,
Woodwork
10-02-2002, 04:19 PM
#20
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Thread Starter
okay, first of all...
i checked the indicator on the battery,
it shows "blank."
no red, no blue, but "blank."
the chart has white, so i guess blank= white, which means it should be
recharged.
before i go to the shop, i wanna try charging it first over night.
i took out the battery, and its sitting in my apt. now.
so, Jenner says i can just hook it up to the wall...
can i really charge it this way?
which way +/ - go?
help me out, guys.
i checked the indicator on the battery,
it shows "blank."
no red, no blue, but "blank."
the chart has white, so i guess blank= white, which means it should be
recharged.
before i go to the shop, i wanna try charging it first over night.
i took out the battery, and its sitting in my apt. now.
so, Jenner says i can just hook it up to the wall...
can i really charge it this way?
which way +/ - go?
help me out, guys.