Re: The Case of the Petulant Packard

Posted by JWL On 2012/12/30 18:32:33

Jim, even though your battery cables check out with an Ohm meter, this does not say anything about their carrying capacity. You probably already have 'O' or 'OO' cables. If not a smaller gauge will not carry the amperage and cause starting problems.

Sounds like you have a battery that will not hold a charge. I had the same problem this weekend with the battery for the 47 Custom. At the suggestion of a poster here I found one at a nearby Tractor Supply store. The battery that went bad was a NAPA. It had only been in service 2 1/2 years. The Clipper sits for long periods, with the battery cable disconnected and sulfates. The TSC battery has more capacity and was $90. A replacement from NAPA was going to be about $135. I'll see how the Exide from TSC works.

I also bought a pair of ramps at TSC to place under the tires when a car is jacked up. I figure these are safer than jack stands. Will not necessarily drive up on them, but probably jack up the car and place them under the wheels. They are made of some non-metal material and look to be most substantial with a load rating of 3,000 each. They were about $45 for the pair. I will feel more safe working under a car with these in place rather than jack stands.

(o{}o)