or like my other half's 53 plate micra, she's had it 3 weeks and its just gone into the garage for the 3rd time.. 1st- oil leak 2nd- pissed out water due to fan not cutting in so it overheated, 3rd- flat battery, like you say no starting handle. i ended up jump starting it with my van...she wasnt impressed!

anywhooo im now off to put another 1000w sub in the car big noises from me now!

So if you have electronic ignition, and a dead battery, using the starting handle will have no effect?

Does the same not go for luminition, and is that a negative aspect of electorinic ign?

from what i know sam.... the elecy ignition modules dont work quite so well when the battery is drained/low...

123 ignition 'universal' works at 6 volts & will stand start up at 4.5 volts, if your 12 volt 2cv6 is running at this voltage you'll have problem getting a spark from 12 volt coil, I wonder if a spare 6 volt coil might be useful for starting - I'm not not an electrical genius though!

The circuit below, allows starting when main battery is nearly flat...

A simple way to fit a split charge system is to use a bog standard relay. I have a battery in the boot wired in this way purely to run the coolbox when camping. Total cost was about 3 quid for the wire. ( i borrowed the relay from a scrap car we were using as extrication practice)

is the relay is man enough for the job? i thought the battery wires were the size they are for a reason i.e there needs to be enough wire to cope with the current?? im just thinking that the relay would be the weakest link in the circuit. if it works with out a hitch then maybe i might try it...

from my split charge relay to leisure battery in the back of the van...
(some mega bolted fitment fuses in there too)



battery in the rear, fat line in, 2 smaller out (one for each amp)



split charge relay and fuse .



this means that the stereo etc uses the 2nd battery and the main engine battery still has the juice to start after a good tunes session. plus the leisure battery can in turn boost the starter etc... works well.

best to avoid completly disscharging the 2nd large battery as it may cain your alternator trying to charge 2 sets of batteries...

The battery wires are only that size because of the draw from the starter motor which is a lot of amps. The charging wires don't have to be that thick. I have been running a second battery in the boot for over 4 years with just a simple relay twin circuit charge system without any problems.

Very neat, Pete.

Wonder if Rick still carries a spare battery in the footwell, hooking it up to the ignition with some flying leads when starting is a little borderline?

ken.