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[feeutfo]

Has been for the last 15 miles of our journey.

There appears to be no other ill effect. Lights still bright, still running.


Battery is tired I know that, but is it battery or alternator?

[Broomies Mate]

Until you get a multimeter on it, who knows?

[RobseyMV6]

My bet is alternator as lights still on.

Had three do this to me over the years of omega motoring

[Broomies Mate]

My bet is alternator as lights still on.

Had three do this to me over the years of omega motoring

The Alternator powers the car's electrical circuits when it is running, not the Battery.

[RobseyMV6]

My bet is alternator as lights still on.

Had three do this to me over the years of omega motoring

The Alternator powers the car's electrical circuits when it is running, not the Battery.

Yes i know but only using power in battery now till dead.

[feeutfo]

I've had an alternated fail before and the car died straight away, with dash lights going loopy, radio on with ignition off. All sorts of odd behaviour.


This is different.


No meter. I'm in surbiton. Curry house.

[Broomies Mate]

My bet is alternator as lights still on.

Had three do this to me over the years of omega motoring

The Alternator powers the car's electrical circuits when it is running, not the Battery.

Yes i know but only using power in battery now till dead.

15miles, cold night. Heater and lights on? 

[Broomies Mate]

I've had an alternated fail before and the car died straight away, with dash lights going loopy, radio on with ignition off. All sorts of odd behaviour.


This is different.


No meter. I'm in surbiton. Curry house.

Stick everything electrical on with the engine idling, Heated rear screen, heater motor on full, all lights including fogs, heated seats and if the engine is still running, the Alternator is doing at very least a pretty good job! 

[RobseyMV6]

My bet is alternator as lights still on.

Had three do this to me over the years of omega motoring

The Alternator powers the car's electrical circuits when it is running, not the Battery.

Yes i know but only using power in battery now till dead.

15miles, cold night. Heater and lights on? 

Chris isn't a slow driver and don't use brakes 

[feeutfo]

Will a jump from another car help before I go home.?

[Kevin Wood]

I would connect another car with jump leads and run the other car. Get as much charge into yours as you can. Minimise electrics on the way back. I managed about 20 miles with a totally dead alternator. Yours might not be 100% dead yet.

BTW: I have a refurbed one almost ready to go if you need it in a hurry.

[feeutfo]

It's 36 miles home...

Cc and radio off, shouldn't be a problem.

Lights. Only a few sections of the a3 are unlit on the way home, and from 7 to 10 of the
M4.

Might get away with it.

[feeutfo]

Lights I mean on sides only.

[Entwood]

Lights I mean in sides only.

Technically illegal ..and a good chance of being "pulled" ... can you unplug the nearside  and only run on the offside ?? The "law" may just think you have a blown bulb and not pull you so readily, especially if you drive gently ..

[Broomies Mate]

I am not one to normally question KW as he is a font of knowledge, but I'd suggest 20miles without the assistance of an Alternator, even with a perfect battery at night would be impossible.

Lights are mandatory, whatever way you look at it.  I'd be more inclined to get a ride on a flat-bed (if you have recovery available) than risk an A road and Motorway at night with minimal or no lighting.

IF your battery does fail (which I suspect it will) you will have Hazard lights for a few minutes at best on the hard shoulder.