starting car with dead battery

[Andy_350z]

I dont have an anderson connector, can i take the wheel off and connect croc clips to the battery directly?

[Mark A S]

Yes.

[ochten]

If I use a booster to start the engine is this a problem for the electronics? Some cars don't like boosters and it wil damage the instruments

[so called]

I've connected direct to the battery in the past as I couldnt get a good connection through the Anderson connector.

Ive had to have dozens of booster or jump starts at an airport car park and never had any issues after other than the EFI fault logging a flat battery.

[S6PNJ]

Andy, just one pearl of wisdom given to my by an AA man one day (after my battery went flat (but not in a TVR!)).

Once your car is started, do not, again DO NOT immediately remove the jump leads. Leave them on for 5-10 mins (10 is better). The reason for this is if you disconnect them immediately, the alternator in your car 'sees' a very flat battery and so immediately ramps up the charging current (from the modest large current it was seeing with a full and flat battery connected). When it does this, it can send a spike through your electrickery and into your ECU, possibly blowing it. I was advised by the AA man that if they know you've already tried to jump start your car and you then call them, they won't touch it for this reason.

This has also been stated by others on here:

nelly1 said:

Jump starting a car with a dead battery can possibly cause damage to the ECU due to the voltage surge at the instant of connection

[so called]

That lines up with the German ADAC blokes who have been helping me.
They havnt said why but always keep connected for about 10 minutes.

[Andy_350z]

so jump start it and leave both the host car and the TVR running, connected for 10 mins

thank you for the feedback

[S6PNJ]

Yes, but not at idle, you'll need at least 1500 revs on each I would have though to get any decent output from the alternator, maybe even a few more revs.

[EDZ1200]

Before disconnecting the battery jump leads turn lights, heater blower on etc this takes a drain out of the battery and stops any spikes to ecu's. Also don't rev engine until charged up a bit.

[froggie]

You SHOULD NEVER leave two cars running with jump leads between them .one car should run for ten Min's or so to put some charge in to the flat battery FIRST BEFORE STARTING IT once started REMOVE THE LEEDS EMEDIATLEY.as damage can be done to the alternators regulating systems fighting each other and not knowing how much power to output because there reading each other and not the battery.

[Andy_350z]

conflicting conversation here...
where is the anderson connector on the car? do you have to remove wheel arch cover too? any pics?

[froggie]

The Anderson connector is under the front of the sill on the nearside (passengers assuming right hand drive) bolted to the chassis just under the battery. It should have a red rubber cover over it to stop ingress of dirt.Is grey in color and visible from kneeling and looking under the car.
you can buy the converted jump leads from most TVR dealers or E BAY.
or buy a plug and convert a set of jump leads or even make a charging lead to fit the socket,and use on a battery conditioner to stop the thing going flat in the first place.or charge slowly the night before you need the car.thus minimising damage due to low voltage and voltage spikes to the electronics.
alternitivly disconnect the battery before you leave the car.
or even switch such drains not covered by the ignition.to find these put an amp meter in line and pull fuses one by one with ignition off to see which draws the most amps...limber sensor could be an interesting one.....

[Andy_350z]

thank you very much, appreciate your fedback

so the anderson connector has croc ends, can i connect croc to croc on my battery pack that is charged off the mains or is this dangerous due to spikes? i dont have amains supply in my garage so whats the best option without disconnecting battery?