Alternator/battery issue.

[fodder]

Been having a problem with the battery, so today I checked the charging at the terminals and no charge comming in.
I also noticed the battery light on the dash does not come on when turning the ignition on, am I right in thinking if the light doesn't come on the alternator wont send a charge out.

[Altransit]

am I right in thinking if the light doesn't come on the alternator wont send a charge out.

You are correct.

[fodder]

Great, thanks for that.
Looks like I'm after a set of clocks then.

[gt_addict]

Hold on. So you're saying if the light doesnt come on then the alternator wont charge the battery? What if the bulb blows, no charge?

Surely its the alternator at fault?

[fodder]

Well I'll find out soon, I ordered some clocks from the bay, once they arrive I'll plug them in check light, start up and check the charge rate as at the moment it's at zero.

[fodder]

So the new clocks came, plugged them in same problem.
Sat down for a think, really hacked off, now I changed the battery 2 weeks ago as the old one wasn't holding a charge, but I've put the optimate on it and its charged and holding fine.
A light went on in the old grey matter, why not check forscan, result battery was set as not configured and smart charging on, my battery stats wern't there so all I did was turn the smart charge off. Did not work.
Back in and changed battery to the closest listed but under my stats.
Fixed, battery light back on dash and charging at 14.5V.
I've now got two good batterys and a spare set of clocks(50 thou less miles though) and am very happy.
May look into whats involved in connecting up the second battery now.

[Altransit]

May look into whats involved in connecting up the second battery now.

There's a "how to" on here somewhere, it's quite easy to do, but you do need some extra parts:-

Change over relay
Twin Earth Lead
Extra positive lead
Extra venting tube
Double battery clamp
Double battery cover

When it's all fitted, it just needs enabling with Forscan