How well does the car run after battery reconnected?

[phn]

Hi there,

Just wanting to get anyones experiences of how well a standard Chimaera will run after the battery supply to the car is reconnected after being isolated for a period of time.

From looking at other posts, I understand that the ECU will relearn it's settings within 20 mins or so, but how bad will the engine be running during that time - would it be undriveable, or just a bit rough? My car is a standard 450.

Also are there any other issues such as to do with the alarm / immobiliser on reconnecting the power?

Would love to get any feedback from those with a battery isolator switch, or anyone who had to remove / change the battery, in a standard Chimaera with a 14 CUX ECU.

Many thanks!

[geordiepingu]

From experience, mine just ran a little bit rich until it acclimatised to the fuel trims. Wouldn't be overly concerned about it. Have disconnected and reconnected my battery a few times for storage.

I'd be more concerned making sure that you can get into the car to reconnect the battery!

[Classic Chim]

I think it rather depends on how long it’s been standing but it should run pretty much as normal.
Possibly a bit richer until it’s warmed up and fans have come on / off

[Loubaruch]

My Griffith has had the battery completely disconnected for long periods of time sometimes a few months as it is off the road during the winter. It has never failed to start without problems this is over a period of 19 years! As mentioned above the engine may run rich for a while but this soon sorts itself out.

[phn]

Thanks for the replies - look like nothing to worry about then!

Just a question, when you say the car runs rich, how is that actaully felt or detected in the car - what is the effect on driveability or performance (if any)?

Thanks again!

[s p a c e m a n]

Mine lives with the battery isolated and the ECU removed. Normally starts after a second on the key, happily idles whilst I throw the roof in the boot and drives exactly the same as it does for the rest of the day

[phn]

s p a c e m a n said:

Mine lives with the battery isolated and the ECU removed. Normally starts after a second on the key, happily idles whilst I throw the roof in the boot and drives exactly the same as it does for the rest of the day

Nice! I'm buying a battery brain isolator with remote control, so this should make it easy to isolate the car when leaving it for a while, and will also automatically isolate the battery to save it in the event the voltage gets low.

[Penelope Stopit]

phn said:

Nice! I'm buying a battery brain isolator with remote control, so this should make it easy to isolate the car when leaving it for a while, and will also automatically isolate the battery to save it in the event the voltage gets low.

What disconnect voltage are you going to request the battery brain be set at?

[phn]

Penelope Stopit said:

What disconnect voltage are you going to request the battery brain be set at?

Hi, the only options given when ordering were to select either the 12V or 24V model, so I selected 12V.

From the battery brain website I found this:

"The Battery Brain will disconnect your battery automatically if it detects the battery voltage has fallen below 11.8V (for the 12V units) and below 23.7V (for the 24V units), continuously for 30 seconds. This will allow you enough charge to start your motor."

They did also say all devices are tested prior to dispatch to make sure they will operate correctly.

Hope it helps!

[Loubaruch]

Apart from the stink of unburnt fuel the car always runs OK after a layup.

[Hedgehopper]

My car runs normally after a battery reconnect but sometimes it triggers the alarm, just make sure your alarm fob is handy!

[phn]

Hedgehopper said:

My car runs normally after a battery reconnect but sometimes it triggers the alarm, just make sure your alarm fob is handy!

Gotcha! Good tip - thanks!

[Penelope Stopit]

phn said:

Penelope Stopit said:

What disconnect voltage are you going to request the battery brain be set at?

Hi, the only options given when ordering were to select either the 12V or 24V model, so I selected 12V.

From the battery brain website I found this:

"The Battery Brain will disconnect your battery automatically if it detects the battery voltage has fallen below 11.8V (for the 12V units) and below 23.7V (for the 24V units), continuously for 30 seconds. This will allow you enough charge to start your motor."

They did also say all devices are tested prior to dispatch to make sure they will operate correctly.

Hope it helps!

Sure does help, thank you

I must be looking at the wrong product

[Penelope Stopit]

Do you know that the 14 CUX ECU wiring can be altered so that the battery brain doesn't remove the permanent positive supply from the ECU?

All fault codes and settings are saved when doing the above

[900T-R]

Penelope Stopit said:

Do you know that the 14 CUX ECU wiring can be altered so that the battery brain doesn't remove the permanent positive supply from the ECU?

All fault codes and settings are saved when doing the above

That's very interesting - any specifics, anyone?

[Loubaruch]

Why would you bother when the ECU sorts itself out in a very short period?

[geordiepingu]

Loubaruch said:

Why would you bother when the ECU sorts itself out in a very short period?

This

[Penelope Stopit]

900T-R said:

Penelope Stopit said:

Do you know that the 14 CUX ECU wiring can be altered so that the battery brain doesn't remove the permanent positive supply from the ECU?

All fault codes and settings are saved when doing the above

That's very interesting - any specifics, anyone?

Running a cable 14/0.30, 1.0mm², 8.75A - cable OD 2.6mm (see https://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/product/66/... from the battery positive through a 7.5 Amp inline blade fuse to 14 CUX plug terminal 15 will solve the problem of ECU memory loss.

Obviously the original ECU positive supply cable @ 14 CUX plug terminal 15 needs to be taped back in the loom or covered with heat-shrink sleeving

[900T-R]

Thanks!!

[Penelope Stopit]

900T-R said:

Thanks!!

You're welcome