Re; The Ferret Sarting Problems

[Sylvester]

Hi Folks, :wave:

 

Now...If one of the Batteries is up the swanny!! ie...Won't hold a charge/won't charge up fully at all even after a overnight charge!! :banghead:

 

Would I be right in assuming that this would cause a virtual break in the system???

ie... The Liights come on, then when you go to operate the starter the lights dim or go out completely!! now not even getting the occasional 'Clunk' from the starter solenoid!!

 

I did drop a almighty clanger!.. Did not keep a good eye on my battery levels...They had both evaporated over the summer periods!! :redfaced: :banghead:Not completely dry ...but very very naughty :whistle:

Will keep an eye on them in future! :flower:

 

I'm all ears! :help:

 

All the Beast

 

Fred & Annika :banana: :yay:

[ferret]

Hi Fred,

 

On my Ferret I had the same symptoms. One cell was down, nothing from the starter, not even a clunk!

 

I changed that battery and it worked perfectly.

 

Do you have an hydrometer to test the cells?

 

Hope this helps.

Chris

[Tony B]

Electrolyte shouldn't evaporate. What normal happens it boils off. What charge is the sytem putting out? you say again, is there a history of battery problems? The addition of an isolator wouldn't come amiss, see Frost restorations , they do one that bolts straight onto the terminal.

[Sylvester]

Hi Chris and Tony, :wave:

 

Thanks for that, glad...Well, not glad in that way but I think you know what I mean (Chris) that you had the same problem!! AND that it was resolved by replaceing the battery! :sweat:

Will have to get one anyway cos this one is knackered!! :whistle:

The other one WOW!! Connected up the charger to that one and :dancinggirls: Straight up to "I'm Fully Up For It Mate"Full charge without even plugging it in! :tup:

 

Tony, Evaporate or Boiled off!! Its Gone and thats it!! Ha Ha!...Aint that two similar things?? :rtfm:

 

It was my fault anyway ...I have dropped the clanger! Dur!! :banghead:

 

Won't do that again, if I had reported this fault to REME when I was on them ....My Feet wouldn't have touched eh!! :oops2:

 

I will change the Battery and give it a whirl...Fingers crossed all will end OK? :clap:

 

As for Hydrometer..No..But will be getting one now! I have the readings on my ferret maintainance disc. :rtfm:

 

Thanks for that though Lads,

 

All the Beast

 

Fred :banana:

[Sylvester]

PS.

 

The bit about again was just my continuation of an old thread, will be getting battery soon, but due to shiftwork...may be a little while before I can get on with it again!

 

This problem is the first time the old girl has failed me!... And its my fault ...I did this to her!! :angry:

 

Cheers

 

Fred :banana:

[Marmite!!]

Time to get the starting handle out then :whistle: :whistle: :whistle:

[Tony B]

PS.

 

The bit about again was just my continuation of an old thread, will be getting battery soon, but due to shiftwork...may be a little while before I can get on with it again!

 

This problem is the first time the old girl has failed me!... And its my fault ...I did this to her!! :angry:

 

Cheers

 

Fred :banana:

 

That;'s the trouble with shifts mate, send real life to ****** trouble is it also seems to be the ones that pay well!

[Sylvester]

As for pay well!!!!.... I work in the NHS.....Enough said eh!! :banghead:

 

Will be cracking on as soon as I get the chance, just about to go and see How Much!!

EEEEK! This is the bit I always dread, as soon as they say " Wot's it for" as you utter those words a historic military vehicle....their eye's always seem to light up, Thinking...got a Rich Bugger Here!!! :argh:

 

Ah Well Here Goes!! :angry:

 

Will keep all informed!

 

All the Beast

 

Fred & Annika :banana: :yay:

[Topdog]

Fred which battery is it? Under the charging point or under the air filter. I have a spare you can borrow and it is a lot easier to change with two. Give me a bell and I will come over.

Dave

[Sylvester]

Bugger!! I just bought one today!! :angry:

 

Ah Well! :banghead: Cheers though Dave :tup:

 

Fred :banana:

[MiketheBike]

Does a ferret (without all the radio kit) really need such humungous batteries? Would it not be OK with two smaller ones just in the left hand box...would make it easier to work on not having to mess with the air filter, and all the interconnect cables would be in the same place?

[john fox]

I'd be very interested to know how small a smaller battery is

I use No 72 batteries in mine and you can't fit 2 of them in one box

A No 72 battery is probably overspecified though as Mick says when you are not using transmitting radios.

[N.O.S.]

Optima Red Top -

 

Length 10"

Width 6 3/4"

Height 6 1/2" case, plus posts

 

Each battery is 56 Ah, but DO NOT be fooled by that when comparing batteries!

 

Zero maintenance ;-) but do not crank when nearly flat, or overcharge.

[Sylvester]

Hi Folks, :-D

Well...It is with good cheer that I can now announce that......SHE LIVES & BREATHES!!! :beer:

 

The problem was the Batteries, note the Batteries'sssss!!! :oops2:

Both of them were up the chuff!, But now sorted! :yay:

 

Two new batteries and whilst I was at it, I cleaned up the battery box's and fitted a isolator!! :captain:

 

She now sings like a little 6 cylinder birdie! :nut:

 

Just wanted to say thanks to all who gave thier tips and advice and offers to come n help, but....needed to sort it out myself if you know where I is coming from! :banghead:

 

All the Beast

 

Fred & Annika :banana: :yay:

[Mark]

Glad you sorted it Fred, it's what this forum is all about.

[Tony B]

OK now stay out of the rabbit holes :-D Don't forget to keep the battries warm over winter. not as silly as it sounds. You can buy battery wrap for a couple of quid. Helps the charge hold in the winter stand down

[Sylvester]

Yes Boss!!! :whistle:

 

It was all my own fault, the damn things were not tethered down in the boxes, I didn't check them as I should have, so I kick my own A.... ! :oops2:

 

Thanks though fella's, :tup:

 

All the Beast

 

Fred & Annika :banana: :yay:

[34ba37]

Hi Fred

what battery's did you get, i need to get some for mine,

but every time i look, i scratch my head and leave it till tomorrow mode clicks in :?

Keith

[Tony B]

Never mind Fred, the scrap value of the old ones will nearly pay for the new ones. :-D

[Sylvester]

Hi Keith, :-D

 

The Batteries I got are basically Big car Batteries!

I got 60 amp hour capacity ones, same rating as the old military ones I took out!

 

The guy in the battery shop I use is very good, but they still cost me about £70 each!! then I had to build a couple of battery trays to go in the box's!

An old steel cabinet shelf did the trick! Cut it in half, took the end off and the folded edge fitted the lip of the battery a treat, then folded them up around the other edges and put a strap from B&Q in and riveted the lot down!

Now they won't jump about and short out eh! :whistle:

 

If your batts are a different ahc. just ask the guy in the shop, some vehicles have different rates fitted, but just make sure they are both the same and capable of taking the charge from that good ol two speed dynamo!!!

 

All the Beast

 

Fred & Annika :banana: :yay:

[Marmite!!]

from that good ol two speed dynamo!!!

 

 

 

He may not have one of those :whistle: not that it makes much difference ;-)

[LeeEnfield]

Nice One, Fred.

 

Great chrissie pressy................. :-D

[34ba37]

He may not have one of those :whistle: not that it makes much difference ;-)

 

thanks Fred, and i have :whistle:

[da bomb]

Do you keep the 2 speed dynamo well oiled, and do you oil it up after the vehicle has been stood (1/4 Pint engine oil)

[Topdog]

Most people I speak to, don't bother. Must admit that I intended to but haven't. Are there any opinions or horror stories on here

[Sylvester]

Do you keep the 2 speed dynamo well oiled, and do you oil it up after the vehicle has been stood (1/4 Pint engine oil)

 

 

Adam, :-D

When I had the dynamo rebuilt at lucas (A Very Expensive Move!!)... :banghead:The guy who was in there had very good knowlege of the item, he advised me to just give a couple of squirts with a oil can to prime it after a stand of 2 weeks or more!

 

Not had any probs ...YET!!! :whistle:

 

All the Beast

 

Fred :banana: