Horsebox battery

Busybusybusy

Busybusybusy

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www.racehorsetoridinghorse.blogspot.co.uk
Can anyone help me?
I have a 1986 leyland roadrunner, which has always been a pig to start since I've had it. It's been serviced regularly, but recently I have had to get it jump started every time I've used it. I do have an isolator switch on it, but haven't actually used it that much. Once started & run for a bit it's ok & this weekend I used it Saturday - needed a jump, Sunday it started, decided to start it on Tuesday & give it a run & again the battery is flat. I'm assuming that it's time to bite the bullet & get a new battery, but I have read that it should be a 24v or 2 12v batteries & at the moment there is 1 12v battery (says 12v 110amh on it).

Should I have 2 batteries? & if so what sort?
And I'm assuming that actually using the isolator should help prevent any discharge form the battery whils standing around?

Coffee & do it's for those who get this far :-)
 
If it's and older lorry it will be 12 volt not 24 so you only need one 12 volt battery but it will need to be a proper lorry battery not a car battery as that may be part of your problem.
 
Someone like these guys could probably advise you what batteries would be suitable http://www.hallselectrical.co.uk/varta-commercial-batteries.html.

Once you have the necessary battery config (1 or 2 12 volt batteries), what we have found is that you need to keep the battery charged/conditioned to have it reliably start, even on much younger horseboxes (which is what we have). Unless it is being driven every day for a decent amount of time, regardless of whether it has an isolator on it or not; the battery will just not get enough charge to keep it fully charged. In winter, driving it with lights and heater on will add even less charge. We have a Halfords battery charger/conditioner on ours and it works very well and is economical to use. After the initial full charge, I just then put it on the night before I am due to go anywhere.
 
If you have a good look at your battery there should be a code number on it & that will tell you which battery you need. You need to check this because different battery numbers have their terminal poles in different places. If you don't check you may find that your leads will not reach the terminals on the new battery. Also the number will ensure you get the right power rating as well. :)

If you don't use the lorry very much & you have a power point near to where it's parked then consider getting a trickle charger & keeping that connected so the lorry will remain fully charged when left for long periods.
 
For the future, you could also get a small solar charger.
These are ideal as you can leave the panel on the dashboard in the sun if the box is parked the right way round :)
Doesnt take long to connect up, just find a good way to run the wire into the cab so you dont have to keep disconnecting completely every time :)

When changing your battery, might be worth getting someone to check that the alternator/regulator is doing its job (eg, putting a charge back into the battery when the lorry is being used)
 
To echo The Fuzzy Furry it sounds to me like you need you alternator checked as well. If that isn't charging the battery up when the engine is running it will go flat and stay flat in no time at all, even if you get a new battery.

As you have an isolation switch as well, I would suspect that there may be an alternator problem. If you get a new battery and don't have the alternator checked/replaced then make sure that you use it every time you park up. It won't prevent the problem but it might stop you getting stranded somewhere.
 
We have a similar age lorry. If we forget to turn the battery isolator off then the next time we go to use it, it wont start. At all. As long as we never forget the isolator switch she starts on the button.
 
Ive had a few lorries of differing ages, the oldest being 1989, the newest 2001 and they all had 2 x 12v batteries sat side by side and connected to each other. My friend has a 1984 and that has two, I thought they needed two batteries?? I also have a seperate 12v leisure battery for the living but we noticed this was a constant drain on the engine batteries (think its the water heater) despite the isolator as for some reason it wasnt being isolated, so we disconnected the leisure battery from the main batteries to prevent it draining them. Its supposed to charge as we drive but instead it was draining as it stood! I do think you should always use the isolator as the tacho is a constant drain on the battery and as horseboxes stand for longer periods of time thsn they really should, it has to help. I try to start mine at least once a week and let it run for about 20 mins and take it for a decent run as often as I can if it isnt being used. I was told that it takes 10 mins to replace whats used just starting it and at least another 10 to put anything back into the battery, Id love to know if this is true or not as I sit there for at least 20 mins with it running??
 
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So I've now ordered 2 new batteries & a link cable - my bank card said ouch!!
Found out that my box definitely needs 2 batteries so no wonder it has always struggled to start!
Will be using the isolator from now on & when the chap checks it ready for it's playing I will get him to have a look at the alternator.
I think I will need a new leisure battery, but that will have to wait for the time being but will undo the connections at the moment.
 
Busybusybusy said:
Can anyone help me?
I have a 1986 leyland roadrunner, which has always been a pig to start since I've had it. It's been serviced regularly, but recently I have had to get it jump started every time I've used it. I do have an isolator switch on it, but haven't actually used it that much. Once started & run for a bit it's ok & this weekend I used it Saturday - needed a jump, Sunday it started, decided to start it on Tuesday & give it a run & again the battery is flat. I'm assuming that it's time to bite the bullet & get a new battery, but I have read that it should be a 24v or 2 12v batteries & at the moment there is 1 12v battery (says 12v 110amh on it).

Should I have 2 batteries? & if so what sort?
And I'm assuming that actually using the isolator should help prevent any discharge form the battery whils standing around?

Coffee & do it's for those who get this far :-)
Click to expand...


I suggest either the battery is knacked or you by a solar panel and plug it in the cigaret lighter to charge it up. Something is not right that is for sure
 
Busybusybusy said:
So I've now ordered 2 new batteries & a link cable - my bank card said ouch!!
Found out that my box definitely needs 2 batteries so no wonder it has always struggled to start!
Will be using the isolator from now on & when the chap checks it ready for it's playing I will get him to have a look at the alternator.
I think I will need a new leisure battery, but that will have to wait for the time being but will undo the connections at the moment.
Click to expand...

if your lorry is 24v, then if you ever have to jump start you need to charge one up of a car first a little then the other before you actually jump start them. Or have two cars connected one to each battery, one battery will always prefer to be charged first.
 
HGA-12 said:
I suggest either the battery is knacked or you by a solar panel and plug it in the cigaret lighter to charge it up. Something is not right that is for sure
Click to expand...

What sort of solar charger would be best to get? The box already has a solar panel attached but haven't really looked to see what it's attached to (if anything) could I rig this up to charge the batteries?

There is also a charger in it which I assume the previous owners plugged into the mains but unfortunately there are no power sockets close by in order to change it this way & it's kept on the farm where my horse is so using solar power seems the best solution.
 
Busybusybusy said:
What sort of solar charger would be best to get? The box already has a solar panel attached but haven't really looked to see what it's attached to (if anything) could I rig this up to charge the batteries?

There is also a charger in it which I assume the previous owners plugged into the mains but unfortunately there are no power sockets close by in order to change it this way & it's kept on the farm where my horse is so using solar power seems the best solution.
Click to expand...

The one i had plugged into the cigaret lighter its only a trickle feeder though, i would also try and get someone to check make sure nothing is by passing the isolater and draining it

The other thing get someone to check the alternator as that charges the battery when you drive, if this is faulty it wont charge and you will have to jump start it every time
 
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NONONONONO.Leyland roadrunners of that age were 12 volt,though some had two batterys in PARALELL,not series. If you get this wrong you will damage your lorry and there is the potential to get seriously hurt. YOU ARE OUT OF YOUR DEPTH GET A GOOD LORRY MECHANIC! DONT TRY TO WING IT.
 
The reason they tried shoving two in paraleii was because the Cummins engine can be a pig to start if the timing and injectors arnt spot on. So ,lots of cranking power, The trouble is that two batteries in paralell fight each other and wear out quickly. You also wear out starter motors PDQ.
 
Yes ,but get the taller of the two options of battery .Sorry I forget the number but tell your battery supplier that you dont want a 643 or 644 but the taller one . He will understand .If he doesnt ,you are buying from the wrong place. It should cost about £90. By the way what part of the country are you ?
 
Bummer,had you said Surrey I could have been of more help. So does anyone here know a really good mechanic in the Cambridge area ?
 
I have my Roadrunner on a charger all the time in the winter, its ok in warmer weather as long as you use it every week or at least start it up. I turn the isolator off after every use.

I would have thought the farm had a socket outside somewhere you could hook up an extension lead from?

Not sure about the solar thing, surely if you are plugging into the cigarette lighter socket which drains the battery it is defeating the object?

Confused!
 
If it's a 12v system, the batteries have to be wired in parallel (pos to pos, neg to neg) otherwise if you link it like a 24v, you will cause the following - blow your starter, alternator, all your lights and hurt your wiring somewhat! TBH a really high amp 12v would have done the trick like a 644amp...

Dud you say you're getting someone to check a few things as well? A lazy starter motor can be mistaken for a duff battery sometimes.

Good luck!
 
Mike007 said:
NONONONONO.Leyland roadrunners of that age were 12 volt,though some had two batterys in PARALELL,not series. If you get this wrong you will damage your lorry and there is the potential to get seriously hurt. YOU ARE OUT OF YOUR DEPTH GET A GOOD LORRY MECHANIC! DONT TRY TO WING IT.
Click to expand...

Just read this, I said similar, you said it better!
 
So new battery purchased (the one you suggested Mike) & fitted, still neede a tiny touch of easy start though but it certainly turned over with more oomph. Took the leisure battery out in irder to charge it & found that the solar panel is there to charge the leisure battery. Am going to buy a charger that you can leave on without the risk of trashing the battery. It's due for a service & check before I get it plated so will get the mechanic to check the alternator & starter motor at the same time.

Thanks for everyone help :-)
 
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