Lorry shite

[dave j]

A mate has just bought a 7.5 ton horsebox and is having trouble starting it. I know nothing about Lorrys though! I know it's got 2 big batteries side by side-by-side. are they 12v or 24v? If I put a multimeter on each battery would they show the same as a car? Can you use a booster pack or jump leads on one? Got to go and help get it started this morning!

[Pillock]

2nd gear, clutch in, you push it down the road, sorted

[cobblers]

Each battery will be 12v, most likely in series to make 24v. They should show the same as a car battery - any less than 12v is "quite flat" and 12.6+v is "full".

 

You could charge each individually with a normal 12v charger overnight, but if you don't have time you could put jump leads off a running car onto each battery for 15 minutes or so - make sure you confirm they are 12v first of all though! That should give them enough charge to get the engine turning over. Be sure to completely disconnect both terminals of both batteries from the truck before connecting the jump leads.

[dave j]

Thanks guys will give it a Go!

[dave j]

Well i got there and they had got it running with some jump leads from a 4x4. Checked both batteries with my multimeter and they were both 12.1v. I think the alternator may be knackered though as when revved they stayed at 12.1. Warning light wasn't on though.

[Guest Hooli]

I've seen alternators fail like that when the brushes have gone.

[cobblers]

What truck is it? As above, If it's been stood a while the alternator brushes might just be stuck, giving it a belt with a hammer might free them off in the short term, but they're probably pretty well worn if they've stuck. You can get replacement brushes and regulators for most commercial stuff without buying a full alternator.

[dave j]

It's a leyland daf on a G plate. Doesnt look like the cab

tilts so i guess access will be an issue

[legasoil96]

A roadrunner !  , good lowies the cab's do tilt

[mr_fish]

get some photos up, haven't seen a daf roadrunner in a while