How long should the battery hold charge?
Discussion
OK I know Chims are famous for running down the battery but after mine went too flat to start the engine (I've been ill during all this nice weather dammit!) I managed to get it push started no problem and charged it up on a quick 25 mile or so run. Restarting 4-5 days later was sluggish but managed and it went into town abnd back (8 miles each way) ... now 3 days later it was too sluggish to start and flat again.
Do you think it just needs a long charge to get it fully yopped up or does this sound like the battery is on the way out?
If it is knackered can anyone recommend a make/model for a replacement? and does Halford's fitting service cover trick cars like TVRs?!
mine ended up not being able to hold charge for longer than about 48 hours and when I removed it I found it wasnt that large - 530A IIRC. I bought the recommended size (072 is it?) and went to put it in my 1993 chim and it was too large. So I bought the largest size that would fit that was "only" about 650A. Been good as gold ever since, even when left for a few weeks. Hardly ever plug in the battery conditionner these days whereas it was plugged in every night previously
so be honest i wouldnt let a halfwits employee within 100 yards of my car.
Fitting them isnt technically challenging, its just an arse of a job and will leave you knackered!
I didnt bother with all this marking things on the floor etc but then I am a roughty toughtie big bloke
The battery is sat about 4 inches off the floor in a tray on my car. Heave it off the tray, drag it across the floor, undo the terminals, stick them on new battery, push it to the back. heave it up into the tray and push it back to the rear of the tray. job done.
sounds easy but a lot of cursing, worked some muscles i didnt know i had and took me about an hour all in.
Fitting them isnt technically challenging, its just an arse of a job and will leave you knackered!
I didnt bother with all this marking things on the floor etc but then I am a roughty toughtie big bloke
The battery is sat about 4 inches off the floor in a tray on my car. Heave it off the tray, drag it across the floor, undo the terminals, stick them on new battery, push it to the back. heave it up into the tray and push it back to the rear of the tray. job done.
sounds easy but a lot of cursing, worked some muscles i didnt know i had and took me about an hour all in.
shnozz said:
Fitting them isnt technically challenging, its just an arse of a job and will leave you knackered!
Thanks for the info but I may have forgotten to mention the reson I've been off ill is I fell down the stairs and knackered my back ... since it's still not really better I don't think it's upto lying at odd angles and yanking out batteries even if the rest of me was
Ah well I'm sure I can find someone to help!
Voltaire53 said:
Fitting them isnt technically challenging, its just an arse of a job and will leave you knackered!
Thanks for the info but I may have forgotten to mention the reson I've been off ill is I fell down the stairs and knackered my back ... since it's still not really better I don't think it's upto lying at odd angles and yanking out batteries even if the rest of me was
Ah well I'm sure I can find someone to help!
whereabouts in hants are you? if its local and not around le mans time I am happy to pop over and lend a hand
How to change the Battery:
Remove carpet etc form top of Battery
Lift ECU of top of Battery
Underneath car are 2 13mm bolts that hold battery tray in place, undo them
Tray will now slide back in the footwell, there is enough slack on the main battery cables to allow this.
You can now undo these without standing on your head in the footwell!
Change battery, refit cables, slide tray back, re-fire tray bolts, replace ECU carpet etc.
Simple as. Should take no more than 10mins
Remove carpet etc form top of Battery
Lift ECU of top of Battery
Underneath car are 2 13mm bolts that hold battery tray in place, undo them
Tray will now slide back in the footwell, there is enough slack on the main battery cables to allow this.
You can now undo these without standing on your head in the footwell!
Change battery, refit cables, slide tray back, re-fire tray bolts, replace ECU carpet etc.
Simple as. Should take no more than 10mins
What is rarely mentioned when battery replacement is discussed on PH'S is that the oem battery fitted by TVR is usually a vented type. This has a plastic tube connected to top of the battery that vents any battery fumes out of the car. If your new battery is not a 'sealed for life' type, you will need to refit this tube.
The battery supplier will usually provide a new vent tube with the battery. The tube is up to 12 inches long and should be first fitted to the battery, then the free end passed through the small hole in the bulkhead into the NS wheel arch as you slide the battery box into place. From under the NS wheel arch you will then need to trim off the excess tubing and seal around the tube with a waterproof sealer. This stops water seeping back into the footwell.
The battery supplier will usually provide a new vent tube with the battery. The tube is up to 12 inches long and should be first fitted to the battery, then the free end passed through the small hole in the bulkhead into the NS wheel arch as you slide the battery box into place. From under the NS wheel arch you will then need to trim off the excess tubing and seal around the tube with a waterproof sealer. This stops water seeping back into the footwell.
Thanks to all for their help and advice ...
shnozz said:
whereabouts in hants are you? if its local and not around le mans time I am happy to pop over and lend a hand
In Cosham, just North of Portsmouth above the M27. That is a very kind offer and I may drop you a line to take advantage of it if you're nearby, thanks - much appreciated!
Voltaire53 said:
In Cosham, just North of Portsmouth above the M27. That is a very kind offer and I may drop you a line to take advantage of it if you're nearby, thanks - much appreciated!
only down the road in Hedge End. Happy to help - feel free to drop me an e-mail once you have bought the replacement and I'll pop around and give you a hand.
I am away for a further week after le mans as I am touring france, andorra etc but either one evening next week, or this weekend is no problem at all. Mrs Fish gets married next weekend so not around then unfortunately either but I am sure we can sort something out.
Note that some of the earlier cars had the battery above the fuse box - space & access is very tight! so will affect choice fitment - mine came with a little Ford battery fitted (EEK!!) Nicked the Disco battery promptly..
I didnt like having the weight so high - so I converted to battery box on floor and fuse box on top. Found the Varta 096 fitted perfectly - and is a lot more powerful than 072's (particularly some brands...) Currently 5 weeks in-op with the diff out & I just know it will start on the button.
Dave
I didnt like having the weight so high - so I converted to battery box on floor and fuse box on top. Found the Varta 096 fitted perfectly - and is a lot more powerful than 072's (particularly some brands...) Currently 5 weeks in-op with the diff out & I just know it will start on the button.
Dave
shnozz said:
In Cosham, just North of Portsmouth above the M27. That is a very kind offer and I may drop you a line to take advantage of it if you're nearby, thanks - much appreciated!
only down the road in Hedge End. Happy to help - feel free to drop me an e-mail once you have bought the replacement and I'll pop around and give you a hand.
Thanks - I hope the battery I buy will fit; I'll ask around
shnozz said:
whereabouts in hants are you? if its local and not around le mans time I am happy to pop over and lend a hand
And a BIG public thanks to Shnozz for being true to his offer and driving all the way over to spend over an hour fitting my new battery since I was without the tools, ability and dexterity!
Have a great time at Le Mans!
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