Considering a Cerbera

[danww]

I suspect about a million people have asked this already but couldn't easily answer.

I'm thinking about a Cerbera (or a 911) as replacement for my Porsche (944 S2); this is a weekend toy, basically, occasional use only, but when its used it'll get a decent run.

I've been lurking on the forum reading the posts, etc., and obviously concerned about reliability (the Porker is more or less bullet proof) but as its a toy ... anyway I was particularly wondering about the battery life and how will it like being left standing for possibly a week or two at a time?

I have no power in the garage (its a lock up) so a trickle charger isn't an option. Any suggestions?

Is it possible to leave it in a state such that the battery isn't draining AND you can still open the doors and get in it?

Thanks!

Dan

[GCerbera]

I've frequently had to leave my two for more than two weeks due to business trips
and both always fired up first hit on the button.

Admittedly some seems better than others, but just my experience.

[JohnSW20]

Hi Dan
Mine is left every week and at the weekends every time you hit the button you hear the music. The longest I have left it was just short of three weeks. Started first time.

Good luck

John

[shell]

You can get solar power chargers, not sure where from etc.

[danww]

Thanks for all the replies v helpful.

shell said:

You can get solar power chargers, not sure where from etc.

Hmm, not sure how the council will take it if I start cutting holes in the roof of the garage to let the sunlight in ...

[trooperiziz]

Mine used to be dead after 3 days. A new battery cured that but I haven't tested how long it will last now, I know it lasts for 5 days but I've never left it for longer than that

[rocket]

Is the life of a battery related to the type of car? I mean, is leaving a Cerb untouched for 3 weeks any different to leaving a 911 untouched for 3 weeks?

Actually, thinking about it, it must be.....who in their right mind can leave a Cerb in the garage for 3 weeks without driving it.....

[gazzab]

you can get a solar charger from innovations on line.

[HarryW]

Considering a cerb is something most of us do, well I am and the expected life of the battery is not one of my main concerns.
If you do a search on the main problem areas of cerbera's, if you haven't already I think it may help understand what you might take on.
Not a dig btw, just thought I'd put my 'whats important when buying' perspective on it thats all.

Harry

[UKBob]

There are many people who have had no problems or troubles whatsoever with their Cerberas, and there are also those who have. You may well buy a cerb which is more bullet proof than a porsche, rule of thumb is budget for 3k a year.

Find a local dealer, get down there this weekend and drive one, you wont look back, you'll likely agree it'll be a lot more fun and exciting than even the most engrossing porsche.

For anyone that wants to know, Trickle charges are available from Tim at ACT (TVR specialist). Now go book that test drive mate!

[jellie]

mine always starts 1st time even when ive left it for 2 or 3 weeks. ive never left it longer than that I start to shake and drool

[danww]

HarryW said:

Considering a cerb is something most of us do, well I am and the expected life of the battery is not one of my main concerns. If you do a search on the main problem areas of cerbera's, if you haven't already I think it may help understand what you might take on. Not a dig btw, just thought I'd put my 'whats important when buying' perspective on it thats all. Harry

Fair point, and what I tried to reflect in my original post is that I have been reading and searching for info on Cerbera reliability for some time and that I have no illusions in that regard, especially as it is a weekend toy rather than a car I have to rely on absolutely. I figure if I go in with low expectations I can only be pleasantly surprised ...

However, I was particularly concerned about the battery because (and perhaps I didn't say this clearly) you don't seem to be able to even get in the car if the battery is flat. Since the car is likely to be left for a week or more between use, I didn't want to find that every time I used it I was routinely scrabbling around trying to open the car and charge/re-charge the battery.

Things going wrong is one thing, things just not doing their job is quite another.

Dan

[UKBob]

danww said:

Fair point, and what I tried to reflect in my original post is that I have been reading and searching for info on Cerbera reliability for some time and that I have no illusions in that regard, especially as it is a weekend toy rather than a car I have to rely on absolutely. I figure if I go in with low expectations I can only be pleasantly surprised ... However, I was particularly concerned about the battery because (and perhaps I didn't say this clearly) you don't seem to be able to even get in the car if the battery is flat. Since the car is likely to be left for a week or more between use, I didn't want to find that every time I used it I was routinely scrabbling around trying to open the car and charge/re-charge the battery. Things going wrong is one thing, things just not doing their job is quite another. Dan

There is a way into the car, buy a cerbie and I'll tell you how so no worries there. Youve already said you dont have electricity, but just how long do you have to leave the car for, and is it not even maybe possble to install an extention from somewhere? You could always leave the car unlocked, unalarmed (but imobilised) and lock the garage to save power...

[njw 77]

What would happen if you turned off the electrics via the kill switch in the dash for a week or so? (alarm not working being one issue)

I know peeps dont recommend this option as it may cuase probs, but I dont know what they are.

[HarryW]

njw 77 said:

What would happen if you turned off the electrics via the kill switch in the dash for a week or so? (alarm not working being one issue) I know peeps dont recommend this option as it may cuase probs, but I dont know what they are.

Can think of one potential one, but do not know enough about the ECU to say for definite. If it has adaptive learning for the ECU maps etc then these would be lost every time you cut power.

Harry

[njw 77]

I knew I should have just kept quiet!

[UKBob]

njw 77 said:

I knew I should have just kept quiet!

Jools, is there an EPROM chip or er... actually I dont think there is

I wonder if the ECU has its own small on board battory? How does the learning ECU work, do all cerbs ahve them as standard?

[danww]

UKBob said:

There is a way into the car, buy a cerbie and I'll tell you how so no worries there. Youve already said you dont have electricity, but just how long do you have to leave the car for, and is it not even maybe possble to install an extention from somewhere? You could always leave the car unlocked, unalarmed (but imobilised) and lock the garage to save power...

Unfortunately there is no practical way to get power to the garage, its a rented lockup, about 40 yards from the house. The garage is obviously locked and is itself in a secured area, so the unlocked, unalarmed but immobilised is certainly an option assuming the car allows this - the family Passat will lock and alarm itself if left for a few minutes.

I was aware there was a secret way into them, however, I assume if you need to do that the battery is dead, so you're faced with a re-charge or a battery swap at least?

Of course I don't have to leave it for very long, but the reality is it will regularly be left for a week, perhaps longer.

Dan

>> Edited by danww on Thursday 17th March 19:43

[HarryW]

UKBob said:

njw 77 said: I knew I should have just kept quiet! Jools, is there an EPROM chip or er... actually I dont think there is I wonder if the ECU has its own small on board battory? How does the learning ECU work, do all cerbs ahve them as standard?

Bob I do not knowif it does, as I said

HarryW earlier said:

Can think of one potential one, but do not know enough about the ECU to say for definite. If it has adaptive learning for the ECU maps etc then these would be lost every time you cut power.

It may or it may not have any adaptive learing that said I'll be surprised if it didn't .

Harry