Why put it there....?

[m0ssy]

Over the last couple of weeks have had the battery in, battery out, battery in, battery out.... charged it, got it tested, put it it, taken it out etc etc.....

Tuscan has spent most of the week on an Axle stand and I have a bad back and am grumpy, having purchased a new battery only 4 months ago for it to start failing after 2 months and the stupid design of where the battery goes and the hassle of taking it out and putting it in.

Anyway have just purchased an Optima! it will be delivered this week and Im hoping that it will be a good purchase. Although now having spent over £220 on car batteries over the last 4 months does feel excessive....

Will report how it fits and starts the car on install.. are they really that good? why only get a 2 year gurantee with it? (although from previous experience battery gurantees from online stores are not worth a wk anyhow )

[G20RG B]

Hi m0ssy,

I would recommend getting a battery conditioner like an Acumate(think thats the spelling)you can plug it in directly to the cigarette lighter in the car. It really will take all the hassle away from the battery and will keep it it top condition. I have used it with my Tuscan and my Cerb and it's in my opinion a must have item as so much of these cars can be upset with a flat/dodgy battery.

[pgttelford]

I installed an optima a couple of months back. The extra cranking amps made a huge difference and seemed to solve the hot start issue I had too. Be interested to know how you get on securing it. The battery fitted perfectly in the tray but I had to use cable ties to keep it in place as there's no lip on the battery for the tray clamp.

Although it's a bit pricey the red top is definitely a good investment. I use an Accumate via the cigarette lighter to keep it in good condition.

[so called]

Are you suffering from flat batteries even on the new one your replacing ???

I had similar and ended up buying a Battery Brain. There must have been an underlying drain problem but gave up with that. The Brain just isolates the battery until your ready to use it then connects up so that you can open doors, disable imobiliser etc and on your way.

Good luck anyway.

[dav3]

I fitted a red top last year and not had a problem since - only problem as covered by pgttelford is securing the thing in the car, ended up using a nylon ratchet strap ( smaller version of the type used on lorries to hold down their loads ).

[m0ssy]

My car has never suffered from battery drain in the years that I owned it and to be honest I have not had a battery problem with this car until now.

The old battery came to the end of its natural life, it was a Varta if I recall and always cranked fine. Its never had a hot starting problem either.

Troubles started when I purchased a battery from a certain "performancebatteries" online website. I noticed it didn't fair too well from the initial day I installed it in the vehicle. I warned them of this to continually get the same replies on email that "the battery can only be replaced under warranty if I take it fully charged to a battery testing place who will test it, they will then need to provide me with a full written report as to why it is not working. I then need to send the battery report along with my original receipt to the company so they can offer a replacement battery and not a refund"

To cut a long story short.... I got the battery tested, cells were failing but could not get a written report. Its impossible, who is going to provide me with a written report when I did not purchase the battery from them?

So I have had to cut my losses on it. I have not had the car for nearly 6 weeks now trying to sort this mess out for the sake of £68. My time is running thin as is my patience.

My advice is do not purchase a battery online for your car unless it is a top of the range Optima etc as you will not have a comeback if the battery is a crock of ste.

So this ratchet dav3 .... for fixing it in? where did you get a small one from?

Cheers

Edited by m0ssy on Wednesday 7th April 11:49

[drivingfroggy]

I use a nylon luggage type strap, cut to size around the battery. It was 3 quid or so from B&Q. They also sell ratchet type straps pretty cheap.

[dav3]

From a lorry supply type place (called big wheels I think) - supplied by company I used to work for to keep tools/spares in place in the back of the car.

[m0ssy]

Optima arrived.....

Tested it last night by connecting it up.... it cranked like I was getting a jump off a jumpjet


Just waiting for my straps to arrive from ebay today so I can securely fasten it in

Weather looks good.... so can finally go out for a drive tonight with the roof off (obviously) gving it some beans

Can't wait... only 10 hours to go!

(as you can tell, ive not driven it for a while)

[WhyTwo]

Hi Mossy,

i've had issues recently with my battery despite it being on trickle charge all winter. Anyway I agree with you it's a riddiculous place to put a battery and in my cramped garage it's a bloody pain in the ae getting it on and off. New battery replaced under warranty with no problem via TVR Power despite it being 2 years old

Another example of customer service above and beyond from TVR Power

[m0ssy]

WhyTwo said:

Hi Mossy,

i've had issues recently with my battery despite it being on trickle charge all winter. Anyway I agree with you it's a riddiculous place to put a battery and in my cramped garage it's a bloody pain in the ae getting it on and off. New battery replaced under warranty with no problem via TVR Power despite it being 2 years old

Another example of customer service above and beyond from TVR Power

I totally agree WhyTwo.

Good service indeed. Clarifies the point that unless you are going for a top of the range battery Optima etc there is no point buying online to save £20 when you have the peace of mind that a local dealer will test and replace quickly if the battery is faulty.

[da_murphster]

Halfords Trade card - can get decent batterys at decent price

Rubbish prices without trade car mind.

Loads of wangles out there for getting a trade card!