Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Dead Battery

A dead battery can stop a car, even with a good alternator - voice of experience with modern(ish) vehicle electronics.

Update on Ben's Roadster:

I'm not sure my back will ever recover, but I have managed to extract the old battery and will aim to purchase a new one tomorrow.
Given the delivery charges on line, I want to check with a specialist battery supplier we have in Bedford who supplied the replacement for my TT earlier this year.
I'd also be keen to know what you think should have been in the plastic tool tray - there's currently a hammer, a wire-wheel hub tool, a jack and jack handle. There are two blank spaces, one that says first aid kit and is empty and another empty circular depression.
I'm thinking this could all be redesigned to carry a slightly better selection of stuff - anyone know if there's anything available on the market?
Also - though clearly it will never happen again I'm thinking about installing a voltmeter and ammeter - any suggestions on outlets that look well designed and might blend with the rest of the dashboard?

Thanks for all the recommendations, including both battery suggestions - the only reason I'm looking locally is the delivery costs.
What an adventure, beats going to the pub on a wet Sunday afternoon

Agree with Dave. Splash the cash.

The empty spaces.... there was never likely to have been a first aid kit on UK Trads. but maybe export markets sometimes needed one. The circular hole is said to be for a spare centrelock nut, but I've never tested the fit and it could not take one with ears anyway.

The tool tray can be upgraded either in wood or aluminium, but its a case of do it yourself.

Thanks Dave, I have my own first aid kit, so not worried, and will be looking into a slightly more sophisticated tool tray as a winter project. And - no worries, the cash will be splashed!

Thanks all again!!

@Richard V6 - Hankook is arriving tomorrow!

Ben I have design dwgs for an ali tool tray. Pm me your email if you want them.

carbuilder.com offer “Smiths” voltmeters and ammeters. For a perfect match, do check whether you need rounded bezels or v-shaped.

Note, on the 3.7's the alternator is controlled via the BCU which is quite a complex bit of electronics (read...expensive) I personally would not add an ammeter or voltmeter into any of these circuits as Roadsters have proven to be generally reliable on electrics and you wouldn't want to add complexity or fc-uk up the circuit boards within the BCU with spikes & backfeeds



^ This is what lies within the ££ magic box

Check your battery on a start.... when charged and showing green turn on the headlights, do they light up? if so try a start with them on, if they stay on look to starter motor and solenoid inc. their connections, clean and refit. if they go out battery is suspect. If the charge indicator now shows red suspect battery condition/failure.