starting the bus

[hifibug57]

last weekend i could not get my bus started after it stood for a month
it was cranking but would not fire up.
left it for an hour, repeated the process after cleaning the dizzy and points:
again nada, niks, nothing, nichts......
Sh*t.....the battery was getting WEAKER, so i left it.....
today i tried using reinforcements in form of my alfa and jumperleads
and voila first try- the sweetest music (see also "wolfsburg concerto")
my question: does a drop in voltage (aka near empty battery) affect the starting process, thought that if the battery is strong enough to turn the engine, ect....??
P.S for all ya alfa haters: this episode proves that the italian stallions are at least good for one thing: power donors....

[Merlin]

I can't comment on how the starting process gets affected, but treat your battery like Gold.

Trickle-charging, filling with distilled water, and general maintence of the clamps, etc. is crucial.

Maintains the battery, eliminates possible electrical fires, and cuts down the chance of battery acid leaking through your floor.

Alfa or not, because the Sabat or such battery got your bus started says nothing about the car.

...well I guess the car started, so that's a plus.

Hell, even the Fiat F1 cars need help starting.

N.

[Tony Z]

next time that happens, put a mutli meter onto your battery to check the voltage while cranking... its a good indication to the condition of your battery. Also, check for corrosion of your terminals on the battery, starter and especially, your ground connection. Make sure these are all good.
Once you have cleaned them all up, a good way to keep then clean is to give them a good cover in vaseline to prevent corrosion.