Accumate failed, battery flat
Discussion
Hi folks,
Decided to take the Tuscan out for a spin yesterday having not used in a while, expected no problems as my 'trusty' Accumate has been plugged into the cigarette lighter (via a crack in the side window) since I last used it. Problem is that the Accumate has failed, the battery is therefore flat and I can't get the doors open.....
My understanding is that there's a way of doing an emergency door release from the outside of the car, although this method is obviously not widely posted on the web for obvious reasons.
Would anyone willing to share the information with me contact me "off-list" please ? I'm happy to answer any reasonable "security" questions to prove I'm the owner etc.. Failing that I'll contact the last people to service the car and see if they'll be willing to tell me. I'm very reluctant to use the external charge point seeing as the Accumate is still plugged into the cigarette lighter and I don't want to risk blowing it up or anything !
Thanks in advance,
Dr. D.
Decided to take the Tuscan out for a spin yesterday having not used in a while, expected no problems as my 'trusty' Accumate has been plugged into the cigarette lighter (via a crack in the side window) since I last used it. Problem is that the Accumate has failed, the battery is therefore flat and I can't get the doors open.....
My understanding is that there's a way of doing an emergency door release from the outside of the car, although this method is obviously not widely posted on the web for obvious reasons.
Would anyone willing to share the information with me contact me "off-list" please ? I'm happy to answer any reasonable "security" questions to prove I'm the owner etc.. Failing that I'll contact the last people to service the car and see if they'll be willing to tell me. I'm very reluctant to use the external charge point seeing as the Accumate is still plugged into the cigarette lighter and I don't want to risk blowing it up or anything !
Thanks in advance,
Dr. D.
DrDaveWatford said:
Many thanks to those who have contacted me offline about this - much appreciated !
Now to see if I can get a replacement cable from the accumate unit to the cigarette lighter as it's this that's dodgy, or whether I need to replace the whole unit.....
Be safe.
D.
Have had the same problem on 2 Accumates/2 different cars. Power and the TCS (AA here) both said the ciggy lighter route is flawed in terms of charging (or not!) and knackering yr battery... Gotta go off the battery direct. I've seen posts about dealers creating a proper charge point off the hard-to-get-to-battery....Now to see if I can get a replacement cable from the accumate unit to the cigarette lighter as it's this that's dodgy, or whether I need to replace the whole unit.....
Be safe.
D.
I suspect that for me the problem is that the cable from the unit to the cigarette lighter gets squeezed when the side window closes on it and it's eventually damaged beyond repair. Given it's either that or leave the window permanently open in a cold, damp garage however, I guess I just have to live with it.
D.
D.
Avalanche said:
DrDaveWatford said:
Many thanks to those who have contacted me offline about this - much appreciated !
Now to see if I can get a replacement cable from the accumate unit to the cigarette lighter as it's this that's dodgy, or whether I need to replace the whole unit.....
Be safe.
D.
Have had the same problem on 2 Accumates/2 different cars. Power and the TCS (AA here) both said the ciggy lighter route is flawed in terms of charging (or not!) and knackering yr battery... Gotta go off the battery direct. I've seen posts about dealers creating a proper charge point off the hard-to-get-to-battery....Now to see if I can get a replacement cable from the accumate unit to the cigarette lighter as it's this that's dodgy, or whether I need to replace the whole unit.....
Be safe.
D.
Edited by NCE 61 on Monday 24th November 17:51
Mine was included by supplying dealer TMS with my Tuscan MK1, although they have long gone, but I believe you can get them via Leven Technology
It is a pain to connect via the Anderson, especially because you need to keep the connection point well greased and I always get covered in grease. If you leave the for long periods I suppose it's not so bad. Since my car is in a garage I always leave the windows down and unarmed ( I raise the 4post lift it sits on , to the first postion, so no one could nick it!!)
DrDaveWatford said:
I'd probably do the same were it not for the fact that my garage is a pretty cold, slightly damp and inhospitable place !
As it is I'll leave a mirror in there to make visualising the socket and connecting the Anderson plug easier. Sure it'll be fine.
D.
Anderson socket is 'handed' so you can only plug in the correct way.As it is I'll leave a mirror in there to make visualising the socket and connecting the Anderson plug easier. Sure it'll be fine.
D.
you can buy battery chargers and conditioners off a bloke on ebay, even comes with the anderson plug so you dont have to use the cigarette lighter!!! my accumate failed aswell but this new one i have bought will take care of a battery upto 120Ah and my accumate only went upto 50Ah?? (i think you are probably doing more harm??) my tuscan battery is 70Ah, so im hoping this will look after her a little bit better. I think the accumates are better for bikes and small cars.
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