Let's test the meter first. Remove from the car, slide the grey switch all the way to the right & turn the rotary two clicks clockwise. Touch the two leads probes together & the display should change to zero & the meter should beep.
If it does, return the switches to where they were & use a disposable battery to test.
If that works then try the car again, making sure that you have good contact with the terminals. Just balancing the probe like the red in your pic is unlikely to achieve that. Can't see the black so don't know what you've done there.
As above, check your meter with a known working source such as a new 1.5 or 9V battery.
Aside from this issue, your battery has probably just run flat as you state you have been using it for short runs for 2 weeks with a high drain auxiliaries running. The battery just hasn't had enough time to recharge sufficiently.
Coupled with the recent drop in temperatures (batteries produce power by chemical reaction which slows as temperatures drop) could be your problem.
As already noted (once you get your meter running) you should be seeing around 14.4 Volts at the battery terminals with the engine running at idle. Any lower could mean your alternator is not functioning properly or your drive belt is slipping.
Hi again
Tested the meter, got a high pitch sound but the display said- 1 then some random numbers, so meter could be busted.
Tested a disposable battery and still 0 on the display.
I have borrowed a charger, can it be connected while the battery is still connected to the car?
https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/joypixels/[email protected]/png/64/263a.png
Charger in picture
change the battery in the multi-meter
..and yes, but if the alternator is goosed you will be back to square one after your first drive out.
Will do, but can't get the type of battery tonight,
Ill charge it and see what happens,
Hopefully it's a nothing problem and down to low use.
You guys have all been excellent and very helpful as always
Thank you all https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/joypixels/[email protected]/png/64/1f44d.pnghttps://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/joypixels/[email protected]/png/64/1f44d.pnghttps://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/joypixels/[email protected]/png/64/1f44d.png
Generally no, as battery chargers have no smoothing of the DC output, so there will be AC present too. This could damage all sorts of expensive parts. But before disconnecting the battery, make sure you have a record of the radio code (if required).
Don't have the radio code unfortunately that's why I need to charge it in situ.
It's a trickle charger apparently, does that make a difference?
No.
Ah, not sure what to do then, have yo take if for a long drive.... https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/joypixels/[email protected]/png/64/1f601.png