Change of Battery

[mike7201]

Tried a different battery last night, to the one I'd usually use.  It's a Halfords 12v maintenance free battery.  Not brand new, it was purchased in 2002, but holds better charge than the one I've used since I bought my C5.

My problem is, that when I connect the Halfords battery and switch on the C5 to the 'on with lights' position, the pod is dead, and the front light comes on just a little.

When I switch the C5 to the 'on without lights' position, the pod lights up, and the motor runs normally.

What's happening?

I'm sure I'm connecting the battery the right way round.  I don't think it's possible to connect it wrongly with my C5 wiring kit, but would like to know if others have had similar problems?

[Karl]

You need to make sure you haven't dislodged anything with all the work you had done recently.

Check all the connections are sound , especially the wiring kit relay ,pod ,on/off switch etc. See how you get on.

[mike7201]

I forgot to mention.  I tried my old battery afterwards, and it worked perfectly.  The C5 just didn't respond well to the Halfords one.

I'm puzzled.

[radiomarty]

Possibly a duff battery mate - I had something similar from a battery that appeared to take a charge but had a bad cell in it.Same problem in the lights on position.The battery went almost flat after a few minutes in the lights off position too

[mike7201]

Blimey!  Would that explain why it works when the switch is to the right, but not to the left?

[radiomarty]

Try running the motor for a few minutes in lights off  position and see if it loose's charge quickly - if not I'M barking up the wrong tree !!!

[mike7201]

Will do - thanks mate.  Can I just clarify that there's no way I can connect the battery the wrong way round is there?

[radiomarty]

If you have the C5alive wiring kit this will prevent any damage caused by putting the battery the wrong way round - however you can still connect it wrong  - ensure you put the positive + connection of the battery to the red connector and the negative - of the battery to the blue one.

[mike7201]

That's what I thought.  I did connect it the right way, I'll do as you both suggest.  I'll give it an inspection as best I can, and try it with the motor on to see if it dies quickly.

Either way, the old battery works fine, no matter which way the switch is pressed.

Thanks

[Karl]

RadioMarty seems to have the best answer,I reckon an 8 year old battery will be past its best by now.

[radiomarty]

Any news on this Mike ?

[mike7201]

I have to be honest mate I had forgotten all about it!  I'll try again either tomorrow or Wednesday if I can.  I'll run it on the motor for a while and let you know the results.  Ask me Wednesday how I got on, and that'll remind me to do it!!!