Battery probs + Servicing

[spit73]

I have just removed the battery from my 2000 Griff (hell of a job) and had it checked by halfords with the result that 2 of the cells have failed. Is there any problem putting a halfords special back in as long as its the correct cranking charge

Also a mate with a porker has offered me an Optimax trickle charger is this ok to use or is it worth buying the TVR approved make


And finally, it is due its first service since I bought it does anyone recommend a place in the Gatwick area

Cheers

[JoolzB]

I'd guess yes to both the first 2 questions. My battery is the same spec as the original and it's been working fine for the duration, also had it tested and it's in good nick after a year and a half.

The charger has got to be worth trying too.

[simpo two]

spit73 said:

Is there any problem putting a halfords special back in as long as its the correct cranking charge

Just make sure it will physically fit in the battery box and you've got the right sort of terminals.

spit73 said:

Also a mate with a porker has offered me an Optimax trickle charger is this ok to use or is it worth buying the TVR approved make

(Optimate!) No, bollox, a battery is a battery regardless of what car it's fitted in. Note it's not a trickle charger, it's a conditioner - bit more sophisticated and designed to be left connected for weeks or months wihtout harming the battery. If it has a plug for the cig socket you can plug it in there as it's not switched through the igintion. No need to arse about with special connectors.

HTH!

[alex.mcintosh]

Try Gatwick TVR - approved dealer so not cheap, but good....

[razzle99]

Or you could try Austec in Crawley. Heard lots of good things about them. Will find out for sure soon as my Griff is in there today for a service !

[crankedup]

Every previous TVR I had owned had flat battery syndron. This time round I use an 'battery conditioner' and its great. I plug mine into the fag lighter and its gets on with its job just fine. Although I did get caught out once when I did'nt fit 'home' the plug into fag lighter socket and battery went dead. Now I keep an eye daily to make sure the conditioner lights tell me is is OK. Previous owner of 'Grimbo' purchased the conditioner from TVR all in cost about £90 get the same thing local for about half of that.

[Chuckler]

A battery is a battery is a battery. Halfords will do fine. I think it's number 72 (look up Range rover in their book). This has the correct spec and fits in the box, although you have to alter the live side cover a bit or fit a homemage one.

From memory about £65 for the battery and about £40 for an optimate. The set up TVR provided me with used a charger that switched off once the battery was charged so had to be reset every week. The Optimate just keeps it topped up.

I use optimate and run wires from the battery to a connector under the passeger seat, but you can plug it into the fag lighter if you prefer.

Er...word of warning here. Remember it's connected and don't do what i did and move the car with it connected!
Mind you, the arse writing this also tried to move his bike with the disc lock on so maybe I'm just plain stoo...pid!!!

Cheers
Mark