Battery/Alternator?

[Frodo]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Contrary to popular beliefs, a battery on a maintainer can still die. The Ctek is holding it at the correct voltage, but the battery itself can no longer generate the amperage required, even though it has voltage.

Get the battery load tested; if it passes, check your cables for corrosion and resistance.

This I will do. (As in take the battery to AutoZone?)

I think I've lost my instructions to the Ctek. If, as you say, this is possibly a battery that died in spite of being on the maintainer, is it typical for the Ctek to indicate fully charged ("green")?

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Frodo

This I will do. (As in take the battery to AutoZone?)

I think I've lost my instructions to the Ctek. If, as you say, this is possibly a battery that died in spite of being on the maintainer, is it typical for the Ctek to indicate fully charged ("green")?

Again, yes the Ctek (or any other maintainer) will show full voltage indication because the battery is at full voltage, but the battery's ability to generate amperage (which is what turns the engine over) is low. A maintainer has no way to measure reserve amperage in the battery, that requires a load test.

There is nothing wrong the the Ctek, but the battery is probably toast, unless your amperage problem is cable related.

[Jamesp]

Put the Celica battery in the Box to see if that starts it. If so, mystery solved. As always, be sure to get the polarity correct to avoid damaging the electrical system.

[Frodo]

Yeah, I thought of that too. Wanted to check with the kiddo as to when he planned on pulling the Celica out of hibernation and get his okay first...got it.

[Frodo]

Originally Posted by Jamesp

Put the Celica battery in the Box to see if that starts it. If so, mystery solved. As always, be sure to get the polarity correct to avoid damaging the electrical system.

That's what I did, and it cranked and started just fine. In fact, I've still got the battery in there (with the kid's permission) and have driven a few times, just to try it out. "It" being a smaller, lighter battery that he uses because the Celica is used primarily as a track car.

The kid tells me I should get one of the ones I'm using now (ie, get one just like the one I borrowed), but I'm fearful it'll let me down at some point. My question now: What do you guys and gals use, battery-wise? I'd be interested in opinions whether on full-sized or smaller/lighter units.