I'm putting my beer tokens on it being the alternator having died. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

So daft question as a newbie can I drive it as I pick my daughter up for access weekend

as in would I cause damage to car

For folks not too clued up on basic electrics then a cheap little tool can provide good info on what's going on with the battery and charging system without having to figure out a multimeter (yes a multimeter is invaluable in knowledgeable hands). It's a BM2 battery monitor which is left permanently attached to the battery which connects to your phone etc. via blutooth and stores volt data for 28 days. Even for folk familiar with a multimeter this is a handy tool (I've got 27 years experience using them for work)

Here is a few screenshots of the charts.
Charging using a Ctek MSX10. I put the charger on shortly after getting home after a drive whcih is shown by the charging rise then drop then a long rise.

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Just order that one it makes sense to have that view defo and I've booked the car in for some other jobs that needed doing and will get new alternator same time as its cheaper then and looking on the forum these cars seem to poop alternators so its likely to be nearly dead anyhow so I don't think its a bad move would you say?

You can usually pick a multimeter up same day from Screwfix for less than £10. If the one you ordered doesn’t arrive, get one there and send the other one back. RRS MY17 SDV6 AB
Evoque MY17 TD4 AB

does that battery monitor give you any indication like the ctek traffic light system? (via the app) ?

OP - No you won't damage your car. The worry is if you drive all the way with the light on (and thus no charging) you may break down. (don't use any electrical stuff if its stuck on. e.g heaters, fans)
The only way it could get damaged is if its reading 16V or over when you measure it with engine on.

When it arrives, you want the red lead in the V hole.
And get it to volts DC. Dunno how.

Will do its in 12th October for all my other work from the car dealer being underhand so ots had its safety check for small claims court case so may as well sort the alternator at same time just billed separate job then

Volt meter will hopefully confirm if battery is dead too its an oldham batter so not sure of its age really

OK so I quickly checked on my lunch break

Engine off but terminal still connected (no key in) was 12.35

Engine on idle 13.2 to 13.6 more toward lower end though of that

let me know if i should do one terminals off as i can do that once I finish at 5 i tried to squeeze it in while munching my sandwich as I only get 20 mins lol

Craigb86 wrote:

OK so I quickly checked on my lunch break

Engine off but terminal still connected (no key in) was 12.35

Engine on idle 13.2 to 13.6 more toward lower end though of that

Will check that now and my charger said it was full but its only a little charger I will nip straight out at 5 and grab a few tests is there any other to try to give most idea as possible

So terminal off
Terminal on
Idle
Then idle with load

Can you think of any more

Andy K wrote:

does that battery monitor give you any indication like the ctek traffic light system? (via the app) ?

Are you meaning the Ctek monitor? If so I've never seen it, but it's nothing like that useless Ctek traffic light on the charger connector, I have one of them but now ignore the lights, I would only suggest people spend the extra on them as the leads are fused.
Here are some screenshots showing the other displays and options;

The live voltage screen with instantaneous graph (history as shown in graphs posted earlier is graphs at 2 minute intervals)



Settings



Alternator test at idle and high revs (I think 2500rpm but not positive)



Cranking test



Trip history

 13MY Range Rover Sport Autobiography SDV6 - mine
14MY Range Rover Evoque Dynamic SD4 Black Pack - wife's
99MY Defender 90 TD5, Soft Top Conversion - my toy, and bairns favourite

No the volt meter i got delivered today

OK so got this

Idle no load 13 average

Idle load 12.6 then counted down almost as fast as seconds so turned engine off at 12.2

No battery connection 12.29
Then battery connected side lights 12.22

Thats in order too