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[Kate]

My battery has gone flat 3 times now.  I have no equipment to test it.  I was planning to get a new battery on Monday but I was worried that it could be the alternator at fault.  Is there any easy way to test which it could be?

The ignition light does not come on at all when the car is running, so I thought it must be the battery at fault.

I've got a multimeter but I lost the prong things when I moved house.  Where could I buy a cheap multimeter or prongs?

If I buy a battery I definitely won't be able to afford a new alternator.

Any ideas what would be best to do?

Thanks very much!

[Andy B]

Maplins do just the leads, but they also do multimeters from £8 - not quite in the same league as a Fluke (expensive  )  but good enough for what you need.  http://www.maplin.co.uk/search?criteria=Multimeter

If you get your battery from anywhere decent (ie not a high street outlet), they'll be able to test your alternator for you.

[Kate]

Maplins do just the leads, but they also do multimeters from £8 - not quite in the same league as a Fluke (expensive  )  but good enough for what you need.  http://www.maplin.co.uk/search?criteria=Multimeter

If you get your battery from anywhere decent (ie not a high street outlet), they'll be able to test your alternator for you.

Thanks Andy!