Fitted new battery - radio still works !

[macabethiel]

The battery on out Jeep was not holding it's charge very well with the voltage dropping to under 12.0 volts within 24 hours of a full charge with the C-TEK. During cold weather this fell to 11.2 volts when sidelights only switched on. Alternator output spot on and voltmeter on dash confirmed charging OK plus my induction meter showed good current flow from the alternator.

Existing battery of unknown age so to avoid the wrath of the Wife having a no start situation decided to fit a new battery as we hope to keep the Jeep for another 4 years if she continues to be reliable. In the Owners Handbook was a label with a 5 figure code but could not be sure it was for the Radio/Satnav unit.

Decided I would use an old slave battery to maintain a 12 volt supply whilst I did the battery swop over. Despite fears of catching the live battery terminal on the bodywork the change over went without a hitch. Nice new Yusa 12 volt 100ah 900 cca battery now fitted and a healthy 12.7/8 volts on full charge when fitted.

First obvious difference when I fired her up was the almost instantaneous start on cranking as opposed to the slower 2-3 seconds of yesterday and 4-5 seconds during the cold snap.

 

[jims-terrano]

Good idea sticking a slave battery on.

 

[rustic]

Sounds like you were on borrowed time on that old one, best check the new one in the morning to be certain.:thumb2
Rustic

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

Not sure they do it now, but when my friend was a Mechanic on the old days of British Leyland, they used to stick a PP3 with crocodile leads on the battery terminals when changing the battery, so the radio did not loose it's settings. Apparently it gave you about 3 mins...

 

[macabethiel]

Maintaining 12 volt supply

Good idea sticking a slave battery on.

Picked up the tip from a Jeep website - it reminded me that I had done this once before years ago but idea had been erased from my short term memory.lol

I used one of my jump leads for the earth connection to the body work to avoid bulk of clip on the neutral terminal.

I made up a live lead using some old thin speaker wire so it would also act as a burn out fuse if I caught the bodywork with the live end of the battery connection. Held the terminals away from the battery fitting area with a suitable bungee strap so I could do a clean lift out of the old battery.

Whole switch done in about 15 minutes including cleaning out dead leaves and re-fitting battery clamp. I was quite disappointed at the lack of a Trumpet fanfare when I told the Wife of my endeavours. To be sure had I lost the Radio Function for a few days I would have never heard the last of my lack of ability form said spouse.

 

[macabethiel]

Not sure they do it now, but when my friend was a Mechanic on the old days of British Leyland, they used to stick a PP3 with crocodile leads on the battery terminals when changing the battery, so the radio did not loose it's settings. Apparently it gave you about 3 mins...

This trick is on U-tube video but I had visions of the PP3 melting as I made the connection.

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

This trick is on U-tube video but I had visions of the PP3 melting as I made the connection.

True, I have never tried it, but as I said, My friend told me that was what he did at the garage he worked at. Actually, all you need is a Diode in the PP3 lead, maybe that was what they had, as he bought the unit from SnapOn.

 

[macabethiel]

Maintaining the power supply !

True, I have never tried it, but as I said, My friend told me that was what he did at the garage he worked at. Actually, all you need is a Diode in the PP3 lead, maybe that was what they had, as he bought the unit from SnapOn.

I think SnapOn would make sure it was safe, there are some advertised on flea-bay starting from around £12.00 mark just seemed a lot for a job I will not do too often.

If I get bored I might make one up using a cigarette lighter output plug that I could plug into the permanent supply socket and clip onto a battery. I have read somewhere that Halfrauds use a gadget when they do battery fitments.

 

[macabethiel]

Battery Checked this morning

Sounds like you were on borrowed time on that old one, best check the new one in the morning to be certain.:thumb2
Rustic

Duly checked this morning and it was a nice 12.7 volts after an overnight rest with just the Alarm system on as a drain !

 

[Mobieus_uk]

loads of different devices out there for exactly this situation
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Car-...hash=item1c4b047f11:m:mVcLtF2qJSlQeqHbxL_naPQ

 

[rustic]

Duly checked this morning and it was a nice 12.7 volts after an overnight rest with just the Alarm system on as a drain !

That sounds great to me.
:thumb2