toyota 4wd electrical question

[bean]

If I have posted in the wrong group or broken an unwritten rule please
forgive me and direct me to a more appropriate newsgroup.

Here's the question (with some background)

I have a 1986 diesel landcruiser. It is the 2H (non-turbo) engine and
has two batteries in the engine bay.
When we bought the car the battery on the passenger side's positive
terminal was not connected. Knowing sweet FA about this sort of stuff
and as the car was running fine we did not consider it a problem (just
giving you some background info).
Last week we needed to replace the radiator. The radiator was replaced
and the mechanic said that he had topped up the water in the batteries
as they were a bit low.
Today, the car only just started (weak - like a flat battery) and the
next time the engine was stopped it wouldn't restart exhibiting all the
signs of a flat battery. We got a jump start and drove the beastie back
home (a two hour drive). After the two hour drive there is still not
enough current to crank the engine. Whilst looking under the bonnet I
did notice that the second battery had been reconnected which was most
likely done when the radiator was replaced.

The questions:

1: Was it OK for that second battery to have been disconnected for all
that time?
2: Is it possible that the second battery was left unconnected because
the battery had crapped itself and leaving it connected to the circuit
would have caused charging problems?
3: Am I correct in assuming that the alternator is the most likely
suspect (note: the charge meter on the dash usually indicates 14 volts
when the engine is running and 12 while at rest but today indicates 12
volts whilst running and about 9 volts while at rest.

Thank you for your attention

Bean


--
You know, a long time ago being crazy meant something. Nowadays,
everybody's crazy."
-- Charles Manson,

[Rheilly Phoull]

"bean" <bean@whereyou.bean> wrote in message
news:bwysd.59565$K7.46334@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> If I have posted in the wrong group or broken an unwritten rule please
> forgive me and direct me to a more appropriate newsgroup.
>
> Here's the question (with some background)
>
> I have a 1986 diesel landcruiser. It is the 2H (non-turbo) engine and
> has two batteries in the engine bay.
> When we bought the car the battery on the passenger side's positive
> terminal was not connected. Knowing sweet FA about this sort of stuff
> and as the car was running fine we did not consider it a problem (just
> giving you some background info).
> Last week we needed to replace the radiator. The radiator was replaced
> and the mechanic said that he had topped up the water in the batteries
> as they were a bit low.
> Today, the car only just started (weak - like a flat battery) and the
> next time the engine was stopped it wouldn't restart exhibiting all the
> signs of a flat battery. We got a jump start and drove the beastie back
> home (a two hour drive). After the two hour drive there is still not
> enough current to crank the engine. Whilst looking under the bonnet I
> did notice that the second battery had been reconnected which was most
> likely done when the radiator was replaced.
>
> The questions:
>
> 1: Was it OK for that second battery to have been disconnected for all
> that time?
> 2: Is it possible that the second battery was left unconnected because
> the battery had crapped itself and leaving it connected to the circuit
> would have caused charging problems?
> 3: Am I correct in assuming that the alternator is the most likely
> suspect (note: the charge meter on the dash usually indicates 14 volts
> when the engine is running and 12 while at rest but today indicates 12
> volts whilst running and about 9 volts while at rest.
>
> Thank you for your attention
>
> Bean
>
>
> --
> You know, a long time ago being crazy meant something. Nowadays,
> everybody's crazy."
> -- Charles Manson,

I would think the best approach would be to test both batteries (if you cant
do it go to your favourite battery joint or whatever).
It may well be that the second battery is faulty and was disconnected for
that reason.
The output of the alternator should be in the order of 13.8 to 14.0v when
the engine is running. (see other brackets above).
You would be best advised to organise some method of isolating the 2nd
battery from the 1st, ie so that the 2nd can be charged but can be used
without being connected to the main battery. Methods for doing this will no
doubt pour in from everybody and cover a broad spectrum of devices to do it.

--
Regards ..... Rheilly Phoull

[Toby Ponsenby]

On Sun, 5 Dec 2004 15:28:46 +0800, Rheilly Phoull wrote:

> "bean" <bean@whereyou.bean> wrote in message
> news:bwysd.59565$K7.46334@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>> If I have posted in the wrong group or broken an unwritten rule please
>> forgive me and direct me to a more appropriate newsgroup.
>>
>> Here's the question (with some background)
>>
>> I have a 1986 diesel landcruiser. It is the 2H (non-turbo) engine and
>> has two batteries in the engine bay.
>> When we bought the car the battery on the passenger side's positive
>> terminal was not connected. Knowing sweet FA about this sort of stuff
>> and as the car was running fine we did not consider it a problem (just
>> giving you some background info).
>> Last week we needed to replace the radiator. The radiator was replaced
>> and the mechanic said that he had topped up the water in the batteries
>> as they were a bit low.
>> Today, the car only just started (weak - like a flat battery) and the
>> next time the engine was stopped it wouldn't restart exhibiting all the
>> signs of a flat battery. We got a jump start and drove the beastie back
>> home (a two hour drive). After the two hour drive there is still not
>> enough current to crank the engine. Whilst looking under the bonnet I
>> did notice that the second battery had been reconnected which was most
>> likely done when the radiator was replaced.
>>
>> The questions:
>>
>> 1: Was it OK for that second battery to have been disconnected for all
>> that time?
>> 2: Is it possible that the second battery was left unconnected because
>> the battery had crapped itself and leaving it connected to the circuit
>> would have caused charging problems?
>> 3: Am I correct in assuming that the alternator is the most likely
>> suspect (note: the charge meter on the dash usually indicates 14 volts
>> when the engine is running and 12 while at rest but today indicates 12
>> volts whilst running and about 9 volts while at rest.
>>
>> Thank you for your attention
>>
>> Bean
>>
>>
>> --
>> You know, a long time ago being crazy meant something. Nowadays,
>> everybody's crazy."
>> -- Charles Manson,
>
> I would think the best approach would be to test both batteries (if you cant
> do it go to your favourite battery joint or whatever).
> It may well be that the second battery is faulty and was disconnected for
> that reason.

Shorted cell?

> The output of the alternator should be in the order of 13.8 to 14.0v when
> the engine is running. (see other brackets above).
> You would be best advised to organise some method of isolating the 2nd
> battery from the 1st, ie so that the 2nd can be charged but can be used
> without being connected to the main battery. Methods for doing this will no
> doubt pour in from everybody and cover a broad spectrum of devices to do it.

I bid one 6V relay and a bit of 6mm wire and some connectors.


--
Toby
quidquid latine dictum
sit, altum viditur

[Rheilly Phoull]

"Toby Ponsenby" <toby@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:x0bx9f2k4br1.1275fmwmqy8cy.dlg@40tude.net...
> On Sun, 5 Dec 2004 15:28:46 +0800, Rheilly Phoull wrote:
>
> > "bean" <bean@whereyou.bean> wrote in message
> > news:bwysd.59565$K7.46334@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> >> If I have posted in the wrong group or broken an unwritten rule please
> >> forgive me and direct me to a more appropriate newsgroup.
> >>
> >> Here's the question (with some background)
> >>
> >> I have a 1986 diesel landcruiser. It is the 2H (non-turbo) engine and
> >> has two batteries in the engine bay.
> >> When we bought the car the battery on the passenger side's positive
> >> terminal was not connected. Knowing sweet FA about this sort of stuff
> >> and as the car was running fine we did not consider it a problem (just
> >> giving you some background info).
> >> Last week we needed to replace the radiator. The radiator was replaced
> >> and the mechanic said that he had topped up the water in the batteries
> >> as they were a bit low.
> >> Today, the car only just started (weak - like a flat battery) and the
> >> next time the engine was stopped it wouldn't restart exhibiting all the
> >> signs of a flat battery. We got a jump start and drove the beastie back
> >> home (a two hour drive). After the two hour drive there is still not
> >> enough current to crank the engine. Whilst looking under the bonnet I
> >> did notice that the second battery had been reconnected which was most
> >> likely done when the radiator was replaced.
> >>
> >> The questions:
> >>
> >> 1: Was it OK for that second battery to have been disconnected for all
> >> that time?
> >> 2: Is it possible that the second battery was left unconnected because
> >> the battery had crapped itself and leaving it connected to the circuit
> >> would have caused charging problems?
> >> 3: Am I correct in assuming that the alternator is the most likely
> >> suspect (note: the charge meter on the dash usually indicates 14 volts
> >> when the engine is running and 12 while at rest but today indicates 12
> >> volts whilst running and about 9 volts while at rest.
> >>
> >> Thank you for your attention
> >>
> >> Bean
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> You know, a long time ago being crazy meant something. Nowadays,
> >> everybody's crazy."
> >> -- Charles Manson,
> >
> > I would think the best approach would be to test both batteries (if you
cant
> > do it go to your favourite battery joint or whatever).
> > It may well be that the second battery is faulty and was disconnected
for
> > that reason.
>
> Shorted cell?
>
> > The output of the alternator should be in the order of 13.8 to 14.0v
when
> > the engine is running. (see other brackets above).
> > You would be best advised to organise some method of isolating the 2nd
> > battery from the 1st, ie so that the 2nd can be charged but can be used
> > without being connected to the main battery. Methods for doing this will
no
> > doubt pour in from everybody and cover a broad spectrum of devices to do
it.
>
> I bid one 6V relay and a bit of 6mm wire and some connectors.
>
>
> --
> Toby
> quidquid latine dictum
> sit, altum viditur

??? They aren't 6v are they ??

--
Regards ..... Rheilly Phoull

[Graham W]

bean wrote:
> I have a 1986 diesel landcruiser. It is the 2H (non-turbo) engine and
> has two batteries in the engine bay.

The extra battery will have been added later by someone other than
Toyota, o without examining the vehicle to see how it's been done, it's
hard to give definitive advice, but...

> When we bought the car the battery on the passenger side's positive
> terminal was not connected. Knowing sweet FA about this sort of stuff
> and as the car was running fine we did not consider it a problem (just
> giving you some background info).

That does rather suggest someone knew something wasn't right before they
sold you the vehicle. That means it was probably flat when they
disconnected it. After the battery has been riding around disconnected
from everything else for a while, it's probably even deader now. In fact
it's probably so dead it won't take any charge and it would pull down
another battery connected in parallel.

> Today, the car only just started (weak - like a flat battery) and the
> next time the engine was stopped it wouldn't restart exhibiting all the
> signs of a flat battery. We got a jump start and drove the beastie back
> home (a two hour drive). After the two hour drive there is still not
> enough current to crank the engine. Whilst looking under the bonnet I
> did notice that the second battery had been reconnected which was most
> likely done when the radiator was replaced.

It's possible (likely?) that there is no battery isolator at all and
that the positive lead to the second battery was simply a direct run to
the starter or the first battery, in which case a seriously dead second
battery drained the main battery.

> The questions:
> 1: Was it OK for that second battery to have been disconnected for all
> that time?

If it wasn't already dead when they disconnected it, leaving it like
that for a few months would finish it off.

> 2: Is it possible that the second battery was left unconnected because
> the battery had crapped itself and leaving it connected to the circuit
> would have caused charging problems?

Yes.

> 3: Am I correct in assuming that the alternator is the most likely
> suspect (note: the charge meter on the dash usually indicates 14 volts
> when the engine is running and 12 while at rest but today indicates 12
> volts whilst running and about 9 volts while at rest.

No.
I'd suspect a seriously dead second battery and an inadequate (or no)
battery isolation system.

[ZForce]

"bean" <bean@whereyou.bean> wrote in message
news:bwysd.59565$K7.46334@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> If I have posted in the wrong group or broken an unwritten rule please
> forgive me and direct me to a more appropriate newsgroup.
>
> Here's the question (with some background)
>
> I have a 1986 diesel landcruiser. It is the 2H (non-turbo) engine and
> has two batteries in the engine bay.
> When we bought the car the battery on the passenger side's positive
> terminal was not connected. Knowing sweet FA about this sort of stuff
> and as the car was running fine we did not consider it a problem (just
> giving you some background info).
> Last week we needed to replace the radiator. The radiator was replaced
> and the mechanic said that he had topped up the water in the batteries
> as they were a bit low.
> Today, the car only just started (weak - like a flat battery) and the
> next time the engine was stopped it wouldn't restart exhibiting all the
> signs of a flat battery. We got a jump start and drove the beastie back
> home (a two hour drive). After the two hour drive there is still not
> enough current to crank the engine. Whilst looking under the bonnet I
> did notice that the second battery had been reconnected which was most
> likely done when the radiator was replaced.
>
> The questions:
>
> 1: Was it OK for that second battery to have been disconnected for all
> that time?
> 2: Is it possible that the second battery was left unconnected because
> the battery had crapped itself and leaving it connected to the circuit
> would have caused charging problems?
>
> Thank you for your attention
>
> Bean
>
>

I would say that the 2nd battery is dead and actually acting like a constant
load to the primary battery, so when the car is at rest, current is flowing
from the main battery to the 2nd battery to try and charge it but to no
avail. Which in turn is draining the main battery to the point where it
can't start the car.



> 3: Am I correct in assuming that the alternator is the most likely
> suspect (note: the charge meter on the dash usually indicates 14 volts
> when the engine is running and 12 while at rest but today indicates 12
> volts whilst running and about 9 volts while at rest.


That's the usual sign when there is a big load on the alternator, it may
only produce 80 amps but the voltage will sit around 12 volt when producing
those 80 amps and slowly rise when the batteries have gained some charge,
but since the 2nd battery is dead and is seen to the charging system as a
load that never changes, the alternator will sit around 12 volts like you
say.


I have an automatic system for my duel batteries and when the main one is
around 13.8 volts the relay switches over and it charges the 2nd one, but I
notice depending on the state of charge of the 2nd battery the output of the
alternator drops to around 12 v to 13 v and slowly climbs as the 2nd battery
charges.


So I would disconnect the 2nd battery until you get a new one or just leave
it, I would disconnect the negative from the battery instead of the positive
to prevent sparks and shorts when driving around.

[Toby Ponsenby]

On Sun, 5 Dec 2004 19:29:35 +0800, Rheilly Phoull wrote:

> "Toby Ponsenby" <toby@privacy.net> wrote in message
> news:x0bx9f2k4br1.1275fmwmqy8cy.dlg@40tude.net...
>> On Sun, 5 Dec 2004 15:28:46 +0800, Rheilly Phoull wrote:
>>
>>> "bean" <bean@whereyou.bean> wrote in message
>>> news:bwysd.59565$K7.46334@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>>>> If I have posted in the wrong group or broken an unwritten rule please
>>>> forgive me and direct me to a more appropriate newsgroup.
>>>>
>>>> Here's the question (with some background)
>>>>
>>>> I have a 1986 diesel landcruiser. It is the 2H (non-turbo) engine and
>>>> has two batteries in the engine bay.
>>>> When we bought the car the battery on the passenger side's positive
>>>> terminal was not connected. Knowing sweet FA about this sort of stuff
>>>> and as the car was running fine we did not consider it a problem (just
>>>> giving you some background info).
>>>> Last week we needed to replace the radiator. The radiator was replaced
>>>> and the mechanic said that he had topped up the water in the batteries
>>>> as they were a bit low.
>>>> Today, the car only just started (weak - like a flat battery) and the
>>>> next time the engine was stopped it wouldn't restart exhibiting all the
>>>> signs of a flat battery. We got a jump start and drove the beastie back
>>>> home (a two hour drive). After the two hour drive there is still not
>>>> enough current to crank the engine. Whilst looking under the bonnet I
>>>> did notice that the second battery had been reconnected which was most
>>>> likely done when the radiator was replaced.
>>>>
>>>> The questions:
>>>>
>>>> 1: Was it OK for that second battery to have been disconnected for all
>>>> that time?
>>>> 2: Is it possible that the second battery was left unconnected because
>>>> the battery had crapped itself and leaving it connected to the circuit
>>>> would have caused charging problems?
>>>> 3: Am I correct in assuming that the alternator is the most likely
>>>> suspect (note: the charge meter on the dash usually indicates 14 volts
>>>> when the engine is running and 12 while at rest but today indicates 12
>>>> volts whilst running and about 9 volts while at rest.
>>>>
>>>> Thank you for your attention
>>>>
>>>> Bean
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> You know, a long time ago being crazy meant something. Nowadays,
>>>> everybody's crazy."
>>>> -- Charles Manson,
>>>
>>> I would think the best approach would be to test both batteries (if you
> cant
>>> do it go to your favourite battery joint or whatever).
>>> It may well be that the second battery is faulty and was disconnected
> for
>>> that reason.
>>
>> Shorted cell?
>>
>>> The output of the alternator should be in the order of 13.8 to 14.0v
> when
>>> the engine is running. (see other brackets above).
>>> You would be best advised to organise some method of isolating the 2nd
>>> battery from the 1st, ie so that the 2nd can be charged but can be used
>>> without being connected to the main battery. Methods for doing this will
> no
>>> doubt pour in from everybody and cover a broad spectrum of devices to do
> it.
>>
>> I bid one 6V relay and a bit of 6mm wire and some connectors.
>>
>>
>> --
>> Toby
>> quidquid latine dictum
>> sit, altum viditur
>
> ??? They aren't 6v are they ??

Nope - the Alternator field is about 7.2V. Which tells the relay to
close the circuit between the batteries.
The 6mm wire is between the batteries to stop the dead battery (the
'spare') sucking the bejesus outa the start battery as it starts the
engine and the alternator spools up.



--
Toby
quidquid latine dictum
sit, altum viditur

[Antti]

On Sun, 05 Dec 2004 07:11:03 +0000, bean wrote:

> I have a 1986 diesel landcruiser. It is the 2H (non-turbo) engine and
> has two batteries in the engine bay.

By default they only have one battery, while there are *some* 24v
versions I don't think they were ever sold here. It's almost certainly an
after market addition. My 1984 2H hasn't got one, and the Gregory's shop
manual doesn't mention it.

> When we bought the car the battery on the passenger side's positive
> terminal was not connected. Knowing sweet FA about this sort of stuff
> and as the car was running fine we did not consider it a problem (just
> giving you some background info).

As others have suggested, the second battery is probably stuffed. It may
or may not be connected in parallel or through an isolator (which may
also be stuffed). Hopefully disconnecting it will put things to right as
the alternator is stupidly expensive. You may want to suss' out the wiring
to see how it's connected:

http://www.4wdsystems.com.au/gfx/isoldiagram.jpg

Antti

[Fred Ferd.]

"bean" <bean@whereyou.bean> wrote in message
news:bwysd.59565$K7.46334@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> If I have posted in the wrong group or broken an unwritten rule please
> forgive me and direct me to a more appropriate newsgroup.
>
> Here's the question (with some background)
>
> I have a 1986 diesel landcruiser. It is the 2H (non-turbo) engine and has
> two batteries in the engine bay.
> When we bought the car the battery on the passenger side's positive
> terminal was not connected. Knowing sweet FA about this sort of stuff and
> as the car was running fine we did not consider it a problem (just giving
> you some background info).
> Last week we needed to replace the radiator. The radiator was replaced and
> the mechanic said that he had topped up the water in the batteries as they
> were a bit low.
> Today, the car only just started (weak - like a flat battery) and the next
> time the engine was stopped it wouldn't restart exhibiting all the signs
> of a flat battery. We got a jump start and drove the beastie back home (a
> two hour drive). After the two hour drive there is still not enough
> current to crank the engine. Whilst looking under the bonnet I did notice
> that the second battery had been reconnected which was most likely done
> when the radiator was replaced.
>
> The questions:
>
> 1: Was it OK for that second battery to have been disconnected for all
> that time?

No. they self-discharge and fully discharged lead acid batteries die.

> 2: Is it possible that the second battery was left unconnected because the
> battery had crapped itself and leaving it connected to the circuit would
> have caused charging problems?

right,.

> 3: Am I correct in assuming that the alternator is the most likely suspect
> (note: the charge meter on the dash usually indicates 14 volts when the
> engine is running and 12 while at rest but today indicates 12 volts whilst
> running and about 9 volts while at rest.

Npe, assume the low voltage is because of excess current through a shorted
battery.

Disconnect the second battery and see it come good.
if it doesnt come good, then maybe there is some other problem.



>
> Thank you for your attention
>
> Bean
>
>
> --
> You know, a long time ago being crazy meant something. Nowadays,
> everybody's crazy."
> -- Charles Manson,

[Rheilly Phoull]

"Toby Ponsenby" <toby@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:i44zbmx4hfcz.6uyrhf5m8pbz$.dlg@40tude.net...
> On Sun, 5 Dec 2004 19:29:35 +0800, Rheilly Phoull wrote:
>
> > "Toby Ponsenby" <toby@privacy.net> wrote in message
> > news:x0bx9f2k4br1.1275fmwmqy8cy.dlg@40tude.net...
> >> On Sun, 5 Dec 2004 15:28:46 +0800, Rheilly Phoull wrote:
> >>
<Kersnip>.

> >> I bid one 6V relay and a bit of 6mm wire and some connectors.
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> Toby
> >> quidquid latine dictum
> >> sit, altum viditur
> >
> > ??? They aren't 6v are they ??
>
> Nope - the Alternator field is about 7.2V. Which tells the relay to
> close the circuit between the batteries.
> The 6mm wire is between the batteries to stop the dead battery (the
> 'spare') sucking the bejesus outa the start battery as it starts the
> engine and the alternator spools up.
>
>
>
> --
> Toby
> quidquid latine dictum
> sit, altum viditur

Hmmm, an unusual method. The lower the charge in the battery giving a higher
field volts thus bringing in the second battery, would have thought that
might not be the best way.

--
Regards ..... Rheilly Phoull

[OzOne]

Sounds like the 2nd battery is cactus, shorted out even.
Disconnect it and try again.

On Sun, 05 Dec 2004 07:11:03 GMT, bean <bean@whereyou.bean> scribbled
thusly:

>If I have posted in the wrong group or broken an unwritten rule please
>forgive me and direct me to a more appropriate newsgroup.
>
>Here's the question (with some background)
>
>I have a 1986 diesel landcruiser. It is the 2H (non-turbo) engine and
>has two batteries in the engine bay.
>When we bought the car the battery on the passenger side's positive
>terminal was not connected. Knowing sweet FA about this sort of stuff
>and as the car was running fine we did not consider it a problem (just
>giving you some background info).
>Last week we needed to replace the radiator. The radiator was replaced
>and the mechanic said that he had topped up the water in the batteries
>as they were a bit low.
>Today, the car only just started (weak - like a flat battery) and the
>next time the engine was stopped it wouldn't restart exhibiting all the
>signs of a flat battery. We got a jump start and drove the beastie back
>home (a two hour drive). After the two hour drive there is still not
>enough current to crank the engine. Whilst looking under the bonnet I
>did notice that the second battery had been reconnected which was most
>likely done when the radiator was replaced.
>
>The questions:
>
>1: Was it OK for that second battery to have been disconnected for all
>that time?
>2: Is it possible that the second battery was left unconnected because
>the battery had crapped itself and leaving it connected to the circuit
>would have caused charging problems?
>3: Am I correct in assuming that the alternator is the most likely
>suspect (note: the charge meter on the dash usually indicates 14 volts
>when the engine is running and 12 while at rest but today indicates 12
>volts whilst running and about 9 volts while at rest.
>
>Thank you for your attention
>
>Bean



Oz1...of the 3 twins.

I welcome you to crackerbox palace,We've been expecting you.

[John_H]

bean wrote:

>
>I have a 1986 diesel landcruiser. It is the 2H (non-turbo) engine and
>has two batteries in the engine bay.

I'd be surprised if two batteries are standard. It's likely that
someone has added an extra battery for one of two reasons...

a) to get more capacity.

b) to run ancilliary equipment from a second battery without
discharging the first.

If the reason is a) the two batteries can be connected in parallel,
provided they're identical batteries in identical condition. Possibly
one battery has failed and been disconnected for that reason.
Reconnecting it will rapidly stuff the remaining good battery --
disconnect it again pronto if you're to have any hope of saving it.

If b) there needs to be an isolator circuit to charge the second
battery while excluding it from the rest of the vehicle circuit.
Isolator units are readily available and fairly conspicuous if yours
has one. The condition of the second battery won't affect the main
one as they're effectively isolated for all practical purposes.

Either way, the mechanic who replaced your radiator was probably a
dickhead. Best to check that out as well. :)

--
John H

[bean]

Graham W wrote:
> bean wrote:
>
>> I have a 1986 diesel landcruiser. It is the 2H (non-turbo) engine and
>> has two batteries in the engine bay.
>
>
> The extra battery will have been added later by someone other than
> Toyota, o without examining the vehicle to see how it's been done, it's
> hard to give definitive advice, but...

The manual for the car shows a picture of the engine bay with two batteries.


--
You know, a long time ago being crazy meant something. Nowadays,
everybody's crazy."
-- Charles Manson,

[Toby Ponsenby]

On Sun, 5 Dec 2004 21:48:43 +0800, Rheilly Phoull wrote:

> Hmmm, an unusual method. The lower the charge in the battery giving a higher
> field volts thus bringing in the second battery, would have thought that
> might not be the best way.

Whoops.
Words..
It ain't the field voltage as seen by the alternator as battery
voltage, it's (and I'm a tad out of my field here - never stopped me
before:-)) maybe termed exciter voltage?
Produced by the alternator to tell the system it's there, amongst
other things.
And on a ND cruiser, it's about 7.2 Volts. Probably significant that
it's 1/2 of 14.4:-)
I know 'cause I used a simple system like that on one for years.
Bloody bullet-proof. About the only things than can cock up is the
connections not being properly weather/corrosion proofed, and of
course the relay.
Still a LOT LESS to go wrong than other systems.

--
Toby
quidquid latine dictum
sit, altum viditur

[Patrick Young]

bean wrote:

> enough current to crank the engine. Whilst looking under the bonnet I
> did notice that the second battery had been reconnected which was most
> likely done when the radiator was replaced.

When batteries die they usually go high resistance and just won't
take to charging, or drawing current from the charger. Sometimes
they don't. Like others have said I'd suspect to find them directly
in parallel which will make the other suffer in the 2nd case.

Take out the previously disconnected battery and put it on a charger
that has an ammeter. Observe if the charge current decreases over a
few hours, if not prolly shorted cell(s). If it has no charge current
(ie: the gauge does not move above about 1 amp when initially connected)
I don't expect it being connected would make much difference.

You don't seem to need two batteries, so I'd simply remove it
and any possibly *crapulent* previous owner DIY wiring.

I possibly have a use for two batteries as I get the shites when
up at the farm, since the low voltage fluro lighting drains a
battery in about three days. The water pump takes a bit
longer with it's battery. A PITA to have to swap batteries into
the pickup to charge them on the journey into town. This would at
least improve the effort required as I can park the pickup close
enough to the location of the fluro battery.

Jaycar have a kit that might do the job if you need the
functionality, KA1782 ($49.95). Someone I know just bought one
for their Patrol, however has not installed it yet.

If you need two batteries in parallel for capacity for a
winch, etc - an isolation switch might be a good idea for
when the vehicle is parked unused for a time.

[bean]

> You don't seem to need two batteries, so I'd simply remove it
> and any possibly *crapulent* previous owner DIY wiring.

Everyone seems to think that it is a DIY 2nd battery. It is definitely
factory as I can look at a picture of the 2H diesel motor in the manual
and it shows our engine bay with two batteries.
Anyway, I just took my medicine and delivered it to the place of repair.
I rang toyota spare parts and asked them how much for a new alternator
and they said '$784' which sort of made me hurt all over as we only just
forked out $580 to get the cooling system fixed.
I would have changed the alternator myself (knowing how to do it on a
186) but it is the most complicated looking alternator I have ever seen.
According to the mechanic (who nicely came round and jumped us (the
mechanic we parked it outside of apparently doesn't exist(strange as his
workshop and he does))). This alternator is not just an alternator it is
also an oil pump and does something for the brakes as well.
I remember my HR it wasn't complicated or expensive at all.


> I possibly have a use for two batteries as I get the shites when
> up at the farm, since the low voltage fluro lighting drains a
> battery in about three days. The water pump takes a bit
> longer with it's battery. A PITA to have to swap batteries into
> the pickup to charge them on the journey into town. This would at
> least improve the effort required as I can park the pickup close
> enough to the location of the fluro battery.

Thnakfully we have a solar system at our place.


--
You know, a long time ago being crazy meant something. Nowadays,
everybody's crazy."
-- Charles Manson,