battery/alternator/wiring issue help

[jacobrjett]

hiya guys

recently my car has been acting up a bit. the other day I was driving around fine, then parked at the gas station, turned the car off, then when I tried to turn it back on the battery was flat.

Now about half the time I go to start it, its flat. Last night after leaving it for 8 or so hours at work, I went out to start it and it was fine. This morning I needed a jumpstart again. Ive had to jumpstart it 4 times in the last couple days, but its started fine about 4-5 times as well.

I checked with a multimeter and my battery was putting out around 12.7 volts off, and about 14 volts on. I thought it maybe had a bad ground, and that when I was jumpstarting it it could have just been because I was grounding it to the other car - but this morning when it was dead, I put my jumper cable from the negative terminal to the extractors for a ground and it didnt change a thing.

does it sound like I just need a new battery to you guys? any thoughts or similar experiences?

[cedwards]

new battery time

[jacobrjett]

ok. thought that may have been the case but if I needed a new battery wouldnt it not be putting out 12.7 volts when the cars not running?

[sergei]

ok. thought that may have been the case but if I needed a new battery wouldnt it not be putting out 12.7 volts when the cars not running?

Did you check it under load? Turn on the lights and see if it goes below 11V.

[jacobrjett]

ok. thought that may have been the case but if I needed a new battery wouldnt it not be putting out 12.7 volts when the cars not running?

Did you check it under load? Turn on the lights and see if it goes below 11V.

oops. no i forgot to do that.

[jacobrjett]

didnt think it was my batt but went out and got a new one (will need a new one anyway now that I plan to run nearly 1500w rms of stereo shortly)

seemed to be the problem. all is good now, and it hasnt turned over this quick since I put it back together!