Help - what battery?

[UKbob]

My car is dead again (battery is nearly flat) and I dont know much about batteries. Plan to get a lift to halfrauds at 9am tomorrow, which battery should I ask them for? I really dont want to spend much, anything will do (I plan to change it yearly, regardless of its condition)... what do I ask for?

Ive got a cerbera - are all TVR batteries the same size, shape, etc?

[UKbob]

As an after thought: There have been two occasions in the last 3 months when I not driven the car for a day(on the same battery - I dont know the age of the battery in the car, but its the same battery in both instancse)

Is the battery likely to be finished? I ask because:
1) The battery died last time I didnt drive the cerb for a day. I jumped it, drove about, charged it up, and its been working for a few months, perfectly!

2) It died after not using it for a day. If, two months ago, the battery really was at the end of its life, then how have I been able to drive the car for 2 months? Because a daily drive is enough to replentish enough juice for another start?

Im asking all this, wondering if there is a power drain somewhere. If there is a power drain (assuming its possible?) then will the likes of dream machines be able to locate it, or is that not really possible?

I apologise for my lengthiness, except to women of course

[2 Smokin Barrels]

Presumably if you disconnect the battery, and it goes flat overnight it's the battery. If it don't it's a drain?

(assuming the charging system is working properly)

>> Edited by 2 Smokin Barrels on Wednesday 24th August 21:14

[2 Smokin Barrels]

Not sure why you'd want to change your battery annually. They should be serviceable for much longer.

[UKbob]

2 Smokin Barrels said:

Not sure why you'd want to change your battery annually. They should be serviceable for much longer.

I was told that with a big engine and a cheap £35 battery, it should last more than a year, but changing it yearly was a good idea.

So erm... do halfords have dozens of types of batteries? Of different sizes? Erm... which one do I choose? ~Rob

[spartacus]

Just had all this grief with my Cerb. The main drain when parked, is the Meta alarm and imobilser. Also check boot light and interior courtesy light are not staying on. Be careful when you go to Halfords, if possible take old battery with you as you will find most batteries of right spec either don’t have clamping lip along edge, or have terminals not recessed so battery will not fit in bodywork recess.

Suggest you read this thread: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=199222&f=6&h=0

Don’t know what part of the country you are in but I found CPC Batteries in Twickenham were able to supply me with not only a battery that fits, but a choice of batterys!


>> Edited by spartacus on Wednesday 24th August 23:07

[UKbob]

spartacus said:

Just had all this grief with my Cerb. The main drain when parked, is the Meta alarm and imobilser. Also check boot light and interior courtesy light are not staying on. Be careful when you go to Halfords, if possible take old battery with you as you will find most batteries of right spec either don’t have clamping lip along edge, or have terminals not recessed so battery will not fit in bodywork recess. Suggest you read this thread: <a href="www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=199222&f=6&h=0">www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=199222&f=6&h=0</a> Don’t know what part of the country you are in but I found CPC Batteries in Twickenham were able to supply me with not only a battery that fits, but a choice of batterys! >> Edited by spartacus on Wednesday 24th August 23:07

I'll read the thread, have done some searches and found plenty of batteries which either wont work in a cerb, or are available from dealers which we dont have locally... I need to be up and running again (its my only car) ... anyone got any ideas what halfwits supply that works/fits?

[tallbloke]

UKbob said:

anyone got any ideas what halfwits supply that works/fits?

You may pay over the odds at the chainstores. try the local motor factor. Best deal in Leeds is Town Hall Batteries.
Good advice to take yours along, ruler measurements are never enough. make a note of polarity if you can't lug it there.

[NJW 77]

Rob, phone Austec and see if they have one/can get one on the quick? I can always collect it and bring to Brighton, but you will have to collect from there (you lazy b'stard)

My last TVR battery was for the Griff and I got it from Elite Tyres in Horsham. Cant believe you're not able to source a suitable battery locally though.

AFAIK batteries come with a 3 year warranty, so you should only have to 'buy' a new one every 3 years (but still get a 'new' one every year, if you know what I mean )

[UKbob]

NJW 77 said:

Rob, phone Austec and see if they have one/can get one on the quick? I can always collect it and bring to Brighton, but you will have to collect from there (you lazy b'stard) My last TVR battery was for the Griff and I got it from Elite Tyres in Horsham. Cant believe you're not able to source a suitable battery locally though. AFAIK batteries come with a 3 year warranty, so you should only have to 'buy' a new one every 3 years (but still get a 'new' one every year, if you know what I mean )

Cheerz nick! I got sorted in the end, girlfriend popped over to dream machines who gave her a new (identical) battery for 60 quid.

I wasnt born to work on cars which includes changing batteries (thumb still sore)

[njw 77]

Thats where you are going wrong mate. Get the girlfriend to change the battery next time

[UKbob]

njw 77 said:

Thats where you are going wrong mate. Get the girlfriend to change the battery next time

I thought Id do it, given that she always cleans the wheels (yes, really!)