Jump starting my Autotrail ??

[MobyInTheSun]

Having trouble jump starting my Fiat ducato 2005 Autotrail....jumped easy October but now really flat ...new battery last year .
Really hard to get on live battery connection as tucked in corner of engine is there a alternative live connection on this model ??
When I've had leads on digital display in motorhome state s vehicle has 13.6 v and good but doesn't turn engine over when attempting to start ???

 

[Familymarmite]

Have you checked the condition of the earth strap from the body to the engine?

 

[tonka]

The short answer is NO, They installed a seperate jump point on the later X250 models (late 2006 on) and that was mainly because the battery is now inside the cab between the seats.
13.6v sounds like a charge rate solar maybe ??
If the battery has been left flat sounds like its lost it's "umph" like a lot on here

 

[Spriddler]

Yes, that sounds like the solar panel output because if the battery is at 13.6v it's definitely not flat.
When you turn the key do any lights come up on the dashboard? Do you hear any sound e.g. a 'click' from the engine bay when you turn the key to the 'Start' position?
If dash lights come on do they go out when the key is turned to the 'Start' position?
Do the headlights illuminate brightly for more than a few minutes? Do they go out when the key is turned to 'Start' position?

 

[autorouter]

OK I know it's no help just now, but if you have access to mains, you could get a CTEK smart charger, which comes with a short lead with ring terminals that you can attach permanently to the battery. The charger plugs into the connector whenever you want to charge. No reason of course why you can't rig up something similar for any charger.

Also I wouldn't have much confidence in that panel reading, the first thing I'd do is get a cheap multimeter and measure the voltage at the actual battery terminals.

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[Jev88]

Multimeter on engine battery?
Then try positive to bodywork or engine block.
Earth strap most likely culprit.

 

[210ians]

If you read your hand book it says in thick black print don't jump start ? Maybe the reason you can't get at + of battery very well ?

 

[Jev88]

If you read your hand book it says in thick black print don't jump start ? Maybe the reason you can't get at + of battery very well ?

I have always wanted to know why not?
A second fully charged battery on the floor with jump leads to the MH battery.... What harm could it do?

 

[Ivory55]

I think a spike in electric messes up sensors etc

 

[Jev88]

I think a spike in electric messes up sensors etc

I hear you, but where does this spike come from if all that you are doing is supplying 12v battery?

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[Ivory55]

Ahh you got me there as I have no understanding about the black art of 12v electric. I only know if they jump start a motor at work they turn the headlights on . Something to do with the load. They would not trust me with anything technical, haha.

 

[RandallC]

Hi, Not sure if you've checked this but some solar installations ONLY charge the hab batteries. and the vehicle battery is left too................ .............. Ah ha will need to replace same as it's *****d (not well)

If Solar isn't charging the starter/Vehicle/anything other than Hab battery then you need a Vanbitz battery master (or similar)

New Rapido, Sunstore fitted, but found the starter battery was only topped up when the hab/leisure battery was full. That could be maybe never if using the hab battery for *******&******

Any Thoughts, our old Kon-Tiki Sargent unit looked after things just fine, sp hopingfor more from new Rapido