Battery again!!!

[culzean]

Hi All, So, so grateful for all replies and will get back to them later...Have just collected wife from hospital and needs little R&R...an in own car, no taxi! I figured out what was the problem...the car battery booster (mobile phone size gadget referred to in OP) has a little bulb on side and I had only just figured this out today...it flashes Red, Red/Green, & Green. It also has a little 'click' switch. Anyway, gave it 1 last go, made sure all connections correct, also confirming Green light on (on the part that has red black crocodile clips that plugs into booster) and gave ignition switch a turn...and what happens...it bloody well starts!

Just 1 piece, I also managed to find the magic eye which shows-looks like it shows-green in a clear circle, which on the instructions on battery says...Recharge! So gave car a blast, 8 - 10 miles, and got call to collect wife.

Normally we do drive enough miles per week to stop this from happening as no problems before lockdowns etc., but since, have only been doing very short daily drives 5 or 6 days pr week., which aren't probably even 2 miles & know this doesn't do battery much good.

So, all good for moment, and will see what Monday brings, either leave as is or local garage for new battery! Will get back to you people later. Thank you so, so much for all your replies.

For short journeys, low miles per week, in daylight,  try driving with  with the sidelights ON (not the headlights). The alternator spends more time charging the battery than when lighting off, this can be seen if you drive with  a voltmeter plugged into the 12V accessory socket. The voltmeter will read  at 14.3V to 14.4V for most of the drive, more active charging than with lights off
A voltmeter as in the Ebay  link for £2.99 is similar to the one I use

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174656084798?hash=item28aa505b3e:g:yAcAAOSwWixgOeGN

I have one of those 4 LED displays as part of a RING cigarette lighter socket expansion gizmo and have noticed that adding load to electrical system stops the LED lights going on and off as I drive,  the alternator has plenty power to supply the load on Jazz electrics ( but you cannot pump too much power into a battery in a short time - a slower equalising charge every so often with a 5 amp charger is better ) but if it sees a low load it will often drop the output voltage - other posters have noticed the same.  In fact a few have 'cured' the battery not charging by turning headlights or rear screen heater on and kicking the alternator into higher voltage mode.