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1st April 2019, 21:06 | #1 |
I really should get out more.......
Vauxhall Insignia CDTi; MG TF 135 Join Date: Jan 2010
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How far can I get on battery power...?
My alternator’s been suspect for a couple of days, and tonight it seems to have given up the ghost. I was driving home, got a smell of electrical burning, and the Charge Fault display came on. I switched the IPK to Voltage, and it’s reading about 11.5 while driving. I need to try and get it to my mechanic, but no way of towing it. It’s still running, mechanic’s only about 7-8 miles away, so I suppose I could just head that way and call the AA out if I don’t make it. But couple of questions please:
1. Is the 11.5V just what the battery’s giving out, or is the alternator still half-charging? Suppose the battery should be 12.5 or something…? 2. If I am just running on battery power, anybody able to estimate how far I might get? Thanks
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Past cars: MGB GT; Escort 1300 Sport; Vauxhall VX4/90; Marina Coupe TC; Celica ST (1972); Montego Turbo; Astra GTE 16V; Astra GSI 16V; Golf GTI 16V (Mk II); Sierra XR4x4 Estate; BMW 325i (E30); BMW M3 3.0; BMW M3 3.2 Evo. Left some of the more embarrassing ones out. And about 30 motorbikes. |
1st April 2019, 21:24 | #2 |
Gets stuck in
MG ZT+ CDTi Join Date: Feb 2014
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I did about 30 miles on mine with battery only, fully charge it first aircon and rear screen off and you should be fine
Scott |
1st April 2019, 21:25 | #3 | |
MG ZT Join Date: Jan 2011
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Quote:
Brian |
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1st April 2019, 21:26 | #4 | |
I really should get out more.......
Vauxhall Insignia CDTi; MG TF 135 Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Norn Iron
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Quote:
Thanks Brian - now, if only I had a charger
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Past cars: MGB GT; Escort 1300 Sport; Vauxhall VX4/90; Marina Coupe TC; Celica ST (1972); Montego Turbo; Astra GTE 16V; Astra GSI 16V; Golf GTI 16V (Mk II); Sierra XR4x4 Estate; BMW 325i (E30); BMW M3 3.0; BMW M3 3.2 Evo. Left some of the more embarrassing ones out. And about 30 motorbikes. |
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1st April 2019, 21:33 | #5 |
This is my second home
R75 Saloon. Join Date: Feb 2009
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1st April 2019, 21:38 | #6 |
I really should get out more.......
Vauxhall Insignia CDTi; MG TF 135 Join Date: Jan 2010
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OK.... anybody recommend a CHEAP charger, for very occasional use, which doesn't have some sort of inbuilt battery-destroying mechanism? I see a couple on Screwfix, or I think LIDL sometimes do them...
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Past cars: MGB GT; Escort 1300 Sport; Vauxhall VX4/90; Marina Coupe TC; Celica ST (1972); Montego Turbo; Astra GTE 16V; Astra GSI 16V; Golf GTI 16V (Mk II); Sierra XR4x4 Estate; BMW 325i (E30); BMW M3 3.0; BMW M3 3.2 Evo. Left some of the more embarrassing ones out. And about 30 motorbikes. |
1st April 2019, 21:40 | #7 |
This is my second home
R75 Saloon. Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: France/or Devon.
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I've got a LIDL one seems to work OK.--Cheap and cheerful.--
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1st April 2019, 21:50 | #8 |
This is my second home
Rover 75 tourer Club CD/Limo Tints Join Date: Nov 2008
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I managed 70 miles on just the battery,But that was with no electrics running,No Lights,heater,radio or anything and not having to start the car.
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] "I started out with nothing, and Ive still got most of it left!" |
1st April 2019, 21:59 | #9 |
I really should get out more.......
75 tourer cdti, MG ZS 180, nissan terrano & 1.8t rover 25 Join Date: Feb 2010
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Bloke at work just tried this, alternator packed in and he managed just over 20 miles in the dark, car packed in a couple hundred yards from his destination unfortunately but I thought that was good going, the lights would have been a big drain
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How to view a car - everything you need to help you inspect a used car VIS motor tester avalible to local members Injector removal tool and auto gearbox pressure tester now available |
1st April 2019, 22:32 | #10 | |
I really should get out more.......
Vauxhall Insignia CDTi; MG TF 135 Join Date: Jan 2010
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Quote:
Definitely! Thanks guys – yes, the “sudden burn” was on the other side of Belfast, so I drove home on sidelights, quite fast… I expect it’s totally illegal tearing up the motorway on sidelights, but I figure from behind I’ll look the same, and it’s up to me to worry about what’s in front of me and drive accordingly. Fortunately motorway well lit anyway, and not too much traffic. So anyway, I did about 10 miles on sidelights, still running OK when I got home, but I wouldn't like to speculate how much further it would get – maybe 70 miles like No 6… I suppose I really should possess a battery charger anyway.
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Past cars: MGB GT; Escort 1300 Sport; Vauxhall VX4/90; Marina Coupe TC; Celica ST (1972); Montego Turbo; Astra GTE 16V; Astra GSI 16V; Golf GTI 16V (Mk II); Sierra XR4x4 Estate; BMW 325i (E30); BMW M3 3.0; BMW M3 3.2 Evo. Left some of the more embarrassing ones out. And about 30 motorbikes. |
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