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Battery jump starters work well in my experience and are super convenient to have around. I've also used a solar panel plugged in to cigarette lighter, effective as a trickle but not enough to overcome a proper drain.
I have an ebay battery jump start pack which I've never used and a Suaoki one which has been perfect. Handy for charging phones etc too.
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I gather it suffers from a flat battery reasonably often so if I have to buy something it would be used more than once
The alternator needs looking at
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I gather it suffers from a flat battery reasonably often
If a car starter battery is drained below a certain voltage (around 10 volts), it messes up the chemistry permanently which reduces its ability to hold a proper charge. And that means it will go flat even more often. Expect a downward spiral until it reaches the point it won't start even though you were driving it an hour or two ago.
Get a decent jump pack (something like this) and carry it with you. The car will probably need a new battery too in the near future.
The alternator needs looking at
If you have a voltmeter, check the voltage at the battery. It should be north of 14 volts with the engine running if the alternator is working.
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number21
Velocio
grams
@aggi
The car we've borrowed (52 plate Punto) has a flat battery (lights were left on it seems) and won't start.
What's the best way to get it going? Buy a jump start thing? Take the battery out and charge it? Charge it in situ with some solar jobbie? It's parked in the street so options for running wires are limited.
I gather it suffers from a flat battery reasonably often so if I have to buy something it would be used more than once.
Thanks