Wednesday 16 October 2019

SEPTEMBER 2019 TWO MORE BREAKDOWNS REQUIRING AA RECOVERY

9th September 10 PM Battery Voltage suddenly dropped to 134V travelling west on the M4 just opposite Slough sewage works. Recharge and STOP lights came on - I had to pull onto the hard shoulder and call the AA it took until 2:30 am to finally get home via 2 car transporters.
I put the cause down to low electrolyte in a cell (dry) . I refilled all the batteries and all seemed well until 30 September. I was driving towards Gerard's Cross when I smelt burning - I couldn't see the smoke because it was dark. However on the hill the traction motor cut out and the headlights went very dim. I used a torch and saw the cabin was full of smoke! One cell in the TOP battery under the bonnet had completely burnt out near the top. I tried refilling it with water by the roadside but it only lasted 2 miles before it cut out again this time the traction battery voltage went to ZERO. Corrosion in one cell disconnected it ! I got another tow home and replaced the open circuit battery. Everything went back to normal.