Ythomit

Many Thanks....

Yes, I know. Looks like whoever modified it inadvertantly swiched the connections too....

All has become clear. Eventually the main fuse blew. I disconnected the battery and checked the voltage. I was unsure what I was seeing and assumed I had gone mad. My meter showed the battery voltage was -12v (Yes minus 12v) Assuming I was going bonkers or that the meter was faulty, I checked the old battery. It was +7v. I checked the new battery again and it was -12v. The more I thought about it, the more I understood it. IE, the JSpec lighter was connected the wrong way round OR it had been modified by some previous owner for some reason. The amazing thing (to me anyway) is that a battery can be charged the wrong way round It may also explain why the lights were on as they will operate with the current flowing in any direction. I charged the old battery up, connected it and hey presto everything is OK. (Except for the fact that the 125A fuse is currently shorted until I can get a replacement) I will not use the charger through the lighter again !

All has become clear. Eventually the main fuse blew. I disconnected the battery and checked the voltage. I was unsure what I was seeing and assumed I had gone mad. My meter showed the battery voltage was -12v (Yes minus 12v) Assuming I was going bonkers or that the meter was faulty, I checked the old battery. It was +7v. I checked the new battery again and it was -12v. The more I thought about it, the more I understood it. IE, the JSpec lighter was connected the wrong way round OR it had been modified by some previous owner for some reason. The amazing thing (to me anyway) is that a battery can be charged the wrong way round It may also explain why the lights were on as they will operate with the current flowing in any direction. I charged the old battery up, connected it and hey presto everything is OK. (Except for the fact that the 125A fuse is currently shorted until I can get a replacement) I will not use the charger through the lighter again !

Not that I can find. The fuse seems to be fixed into the fuse box. The others are removable.

Sorry, I forgot to mention, it's a JP spec... 1 fuse is blown (120A) far left corner of fuse box (under bonet) viewed from nearside wing. I cant seem to get the damn thing out. Is there a trick of some sort required ?

My normal Charger has worked for years but I tried a solar, trickle charger in the hope that I wouldn't need to disconnect the battery and charge it every two weeks when it wasn't being used. The new, solar one connected via the cigarette lighter which was much more convenient. I hope that wasn't the problem... In fact the battery died quicker than without a charger. I tried to start it after 1 week and it was completely dead. I then recharged with the normal charger and got the weird problem as described.

Oh Crikey. Sounds expensive..... So what's new I'll do what you suggest first thing tomorrow. Last time I take the cheap option charger

Could blown fuses cause the headlights to be on permanently ?

Tried a solar panel charger through the cigarette lighter and the battery went flat. Charged it up with a real charger and now have strange symptoms as follows: When battery is connected all the front lights come on and nothing else works. The ignition key has no affect on anything. Nor do any of the controls. I cannot think of anything obvious other than massive electronic burn-out. Any ideas would be welcome :cry:

Well that was a disaster. I connected the Solar charger and left it for a week. When I tested it the battery was completely flat. As I needed an MOT at 14:00 today I decided to use a normal charger which I connected at 07:00 on gentle charge after disconnecting the solar charger. At 13:30 I disconnected the charger and reconnected the battery to zip off to get the MOT. Totally dead, no power anywhere. Called the garage and appologised, then reconnected the charger on full power. At 17:00 went to check the battery again. Disconnected the charger and reconnected the battery. The lights came on (Yeehaaa) or so I thought. When I tried to turn them off, they stayed on. I also noticed that it was only the Front lights that came on. That's the end of the story. With the battery connected (irrespective of the ignition key position) The front lights are on permanently and nothing else comes on at all (dashbooard, alarm system, ignition etc.) What the hell has happened

...or did the guy that installed the alarm system modify it somehow ?

Hi. I just checked and the cigar lighter works without using the key at all. Is that a fault ? Could it be causing the battery to go flat quicker than it should ?

Apparently the one I'm looking at doesn't need sunshine. It's also only a tenner so if it doesn't work I wont be too out of pocket

I've found a solar powered charger on-line that seems to work for other users on thier cars. You plug it into the cigarette lighter and leave the panel on the seat. Dead easy to connect/disconnect. I've ordered one so I'll let you know if it works on the Supra...

Sounds like the only option. Ill need to get a small enough charger to fit under the bonnet. I'll check out the one suggested by inazone. Thanks inazone and all others.

Mine's on charge too Maybe I'll just have to remember to spin it at least once a week

As a rule... Can an alarm/demobiler system use so much power that 2 weeks is all the battery can supply ?

Looks like the only solution

Swampy442 : Not really a solution...

Hi Budz86 and buster. Trouble is that I cant see how an alternator would cause the battery to go flat only after not being driven for 2 weeks ? Unless I'm missing something, which does happen now and then

For the last couple of years I've had battery problems. If I dont drive the beast for 2 weeks, the battery goes flat. I recharge it and all is fine again, until I dont use it for 2 weeks again. During the last 2 years I have replaced the battery twice. Now I suspect there was nothing wrong with either of them. I then assumed that something was draining the battery and could only think of the alarm/imobaliser so I turned it off and left it for 2 weeks. And the battery was flat again. Any ideas would be welcome.

Oh right. I didn't realise you could charge the battery through thr cig lighter. Many thanks. I shall buy the charger and controller as suggested.

Forgive me if I'm a bit dumb, its my Mother's fault... If the Charger is in the car, how do I connect the cables to the battery?

Many Thanks. Forgive me for being Stupid, but I assume the charger cant live inside the car. Does that not make it a bit vulnerable.... (I dont have a garage)