After a bit of research it seems as if the 986's are quite heavy on the batteries. I may just have a crappy battery. Any recommendations for a good battery that will last and won't break the bank?


Or is there no such thing?

A trickle charger is the key for non-daily cars, IMO. Not easy when it's outside though. Is a solar battery minder a workable solution?

Luckily the driveway is in front of the kitchen windows, which are wood. One of the frames has a natural wood knot missing in the corner, which is perfect to get a wire through. It's how it's wired up now but it's a paint to keep connecting it up to the battery.


I'll most likely invest in a cigarette charging one, but again when I'm using it the end is left on the ground outside, which isn't ideal. An outdoor box would be an option, but then it would be easier to just connect the whole thing to an outdoor power socket, which I can't do as it's a rented house and I'm moving in a year.


May have to be a solar one.

Just checked with a multimeter.



Engine off: 14.16v
Engine on: 16.25v



Normal?

You must have a bad multimetere. Those voltages are too high!

Interesting! I'll check with another. You set it to 20v right?

DMM set of 20V(dc) is correct.

The +2V difference from car OFF to ON is sufficient to confirm your alternator is still in good shape and charging.

I'm guessing your DMM just needs to be re-calibrated. If you pop open the enclosure you should find 1 (or more) resistor/potentiometer. One of those should be for voltage offsetting (you'll need a known voltage source to calibrate it). Plenty of tut online/YT.