DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

Can anyone help explain the two-battery situation? My car recently arrived from the US, it's going for it's MOT this Sat, but I've had some battery problems. Looking under the hood, the right battery is connected, but needs replacing, but the left one only has a cable connected to the negative. Nothing on the positive, so it can't be doing anything. I've taken the left battery out completely and it still starts. All I know is that both batteries should be wired in parallel, but I don't no why or how to connect the left battery up, and where the cables are for this (I can only find one!) Can anyone help? Also what's the best manual to buy for general maintenance?

cheers.....

There are two batteries in the earlier cars, probably to supply enough current to start the car, and also for weight distribution (?) Given more modern batteries, one may well be fine. They were orignially in parallel, so still both 12 V, just double capacity. Remember if you remove one, that the spare +ve terminal if not disconnected is still 12V from the other batter and charge circuit. remove it also or make real sure it is insulated and cannot shot out.
I just use a Haynes manual, but I'm sure there's other options .

Cheers Tim

you only need one battery, 2 were used as old batteries had low amp values and they also help with the weight distribution. You can get away with one modern battery.

I have a single Odyssey PC680 gel battery which is half the size of a standard car battery and have no problems running my 2.4E

Thanks guys, I'll fit a new battery, and leave the unused one the other side to balance things out. See how it goes....

Thanks guys, I'll fit a new battery, and leave the unused one the other side to balance things out. See how it goes.... Mine is also a 2.4, so should be ok i guess..

If you want to balance out the weight I'd use a lump of steel or concrete that isn't full of acid just waiting to burst through the bottom of your battery box.