Flat batteries

[Hazzo]

Had the truck parked up for 2 weeks, thought it would be ok but both batteries are flat, can I jump start from a normal car or will I need to take off the batts to recharge?

Also is it possible to turn off all power to the stereo as I reckon this has drained them anyway, even powered off it seems to be lit up. H

[BUSHWHACKER]

No need to remove the batteries when jump starting.

[Slugsie]

Had the truck parked up for 2 weeks, thought it would be ok but both batteries are flat, can I jump start from a normal car or will I need to take off the batts to recharge?

Also is it possible to turn off all power to the stereo as I reckon this has drained them anyway, even powered off it seems to be lit up. H

Yup, normal jump starting procedure should work just fine. I normally connect +ve to +ve, and -ve on the running car to and solid bit of engine on the dead car.

The only way to remove all power to the stereo would be to fit an isolation switch of some sort. If you're parking up for a while, probably better to disconnect the batteries first.

How old are the batteries? Not holding charge for a week or so is a sign that they may be on the way out, unless there is something left on a drawing power.

[nero279]

pull the stereo fuse?

[Hazzo]

The car has stood at least 14 days, I know not to take the batts off to jump start I was concerned about messing up my mates car by jumpstarting/power differences.

My normal JS procedure would be pos to pos, neg to neg on any battery, will this not work seeing as how the batteries are set up in tandem the charge should go where its required, I've never heard of connecting the - lead to the engine to start, why not just the terminals.

Thanks for the advice anyway though, cheers, H

[nero279]

I usually go straight to the terminals, but the recommended method is negative to an earth away from the battery on the dead car.

[BUSHWHACKER]

Just connect the jump leads to any of the batteries.
The Surf is 12v like any other car.

[Slugsie]

The car has stood at least 14 days, I know not to take the batts off to jump start I was concerned about messing up my mates car by jumpstarting/power differences.

My normal JS procedure would be pos to pos, neg to neg on any battery, will this not work seeing as how the batteries are set up in tandem the charge should go where its required, I've never heard of connecting the - lead to the engine to start, why not just the terminals.

Thanks for the advice anyway though, cheers, H

You shouldn't do any damage to the other car. Despite the two batteries, it's still just a 12volt system.

The -ve to engine is just something I read about a while back. I think it had something to do with bypassing the battery whilst starting so that it doesn't just suck up the power to recharge its self. Could well be a load of BS of course.

[Hazzo]

Cheers Slugs n others, I've looked this up and in safety terms (?) its the correct procedure, I'm only 52 so the old saying about learning something new every day still works, thanks again, Hazzo