Unfortunately the Coupe broke down on the LMC Great Northern Weekend when trying to re-start after a rest break. Turn the key - nothing, not even lights on the dash. Although there was no phone signal I was able to call the AA via WiFi from the pub/hotel we had stopped at.
However, before they arrived I did that 'turn the key in frustration' thing and the car spluttered into life. Having a running engine I decided to head back to our hotel and cancel the AA. On the drive back the engine etc. ran fine with the only noticeable issue being the volt meter sat on zero and the indicators being highly ineffective. The charging warning light went out at the start and stayed off, nor was it 'glimmering' in any way. On switch off at the hotel it was back to nothing when turning the key.
The car was left overnight and in the morning gave one clunk on the solenoid before back to nothing, but we were able to jump start the car with a helpful fellow member's power pack. We then drove 70 miles home. The volt meter sat at normal for 10 minutes then dropped to just above the red. After an hour it dropped to zero and everything was dead again once I switched off back in my garage.
I'll add at this point that the volt meter has been dropping after 10 minutes driving for quite some time, but I just ignored it under the 'Beta gauges are pretty hopeless' theory.
So, sorry for the long description but do we think this is just a duff battery or something more serious, such as a faulty alternator or something nasty in the ancient wiring? And if it is the battery what should I replace it with? It's currently a Varta 52ah and to my dismay Tayna batteries, who supplied an excellent battery for my Ypsilon, are recommending a Varta 40ah for all Betas, even ie and Volumex! I've had one of those before and it didn't see out 2 winter lay ups.
While I
