Alarm and Battery Woes
Discussion
I got woken up at 5.30am this morning by an alarm going off in the car park. On investigation I found the sound emanating from my beloved TVR - damn.
I couldn't unlock the car with the remote, so had to break in through the roof. I then spent 15 minutes scrabbling around in the dark trying to disconnect the battery, with no joy whatsoever. In the end I had to open the bonnet and remove the alarm unit itself.
So after 45 minutes pissing around in the dark the car was finally silenced.
However I am at a bit of a loss as to what has caused the issue. I have been using the car pretty regularly (having done 1,500 miles in the last 2 months, but did notice that the battery had gone flat on Sunday after only a week sat still.
Is this simply a case of the battery going flat due to the drain from the alarm, or do I need to look at the alternator as being a potential issue? Is there anything else that could have caused it?
One final question. If I remove the battery and put it on charge, will it hold up, or am I better off replacing it for a new one?
Cheers guys,
Alex
I couldn't unlock the car with the remote, so had to break in through the roof. I then spent 15 minutes scrabbling around in the dark trying to disconnect the battery, with no joy whatsoever. In the end I had to open the bonnet and remove the alarm unit itself.
So after 45 minutes pissing around in the dark the car was finally silenced.
However I am at a bit of a loss as to what has caused the issue. I have been using the car pretty regularly (having done 1,500 miles in the last 2 months, but did notice that the battery had gone flat on Sunday after only a week sat still.
Is this simply a case of the battery going flat due to the drain from the alarm, or do I need to look at the alternator as being a potential issue? Is there anything else that could have caused it?
One final question. If I remove the battery and put it on charge, will it hold up, or am I better off replacing it for a new one?
Cheers guys,
Alex
Sounds familiar - but mine was in an afternoon
For me it was the siren that was duff. I believe that they contain a back up battery and this had gone its course. Everything else was fine on mine. Iv removed the siren, taped up the 5 pin connector (face down to stop any rain getting in) and contacted Carl Baker to get another one fitted. Unfortunately its not as simple as just plugging them in now apparently....
cheers
For me it was the siren that was duff. I believe that they contain a back up battery and this had gone its course. Everything else was fine on mine. Iv removed the siren, taped up the 5 pin connector (face down to stop any rain getting in) and contacted Carl Baker to get another one fitted. Unfortunately its not as simple as just plugging them in now apparently....
cheers
Thanks Jeffsey. I still think my problem may have been caused by the main battery going flat (which it has). Does this sound plausible? It seems a bit of a strange system though. If the alarm goes off when the battery goes flat it could be very annoying. Is there any way of checking the battery in the alarm unit?
Cheers,
Alex
Cheers,
Alex
Alex Gurr said:
Thanks Jeffsey. I still think my problem may have been caused by the main battery going flat (which it has). Does this sound plausible? It seems a bit of a strange system though. If the alarm goes off when the battery goes flat it could be very annoying. Is there any way of checking the battery in the alarm unit?
Cheers,
Alex
Cheers,
Alex
Im no expert but Im sure a few will come along shortly...
The alarm will go off if the main battery goes dead and vice versa...logical security precaustion i 'spose in case anyone tries to disconnect the battery to by pass the alarm and knick the car.
Im not aware of anyway of checking the siren battery unfortunately otherwise we would all be doing it as these things are a pain in the bum. FFGs did it at 3 in the morning out on his street
If there is a way I would be all
(which have now stopped bleeding after my alarm problem ) Alex Gurr said:
I got woken up at 5.30am this morning by an alarm going off in the car park. On investigation I found the sound emanating from my beloved TVR - damn.
I couldn't unlock the car with the remote, so had to break in through the roof. I then spent 15 minutes scrabbling around in the dark trying to disconnect the battery, with no joy whatsoever. In the end I had to open the bonnet and remove the alarm unit itself.
So after 45 minutes pissing around in the dark the car was finally silenced.
However I am at a bit of a loss as to what has caused the issue. I have been using the car pretty regularly (having done 1,500 miles in the last 2 months, but did notice that the battery had gone flat on Sunday after only a week sat still.
Is this simply a case of the battery going flat due to the drain from the alarm, or do I need to look at the alternator as being a potential issue? Is there anything else that could have caused it?
One final question. If I remove the battery and put it on charge, will it hold up, or am I better off replacing it for a new one?
Cheers guys,
Alex
I couldn't unlock the car with the remote, so had to break in through the roof. I then spent 15 minutes scrabbling around in the dark trying to disconnect the battery, with no joy whatsoever. In the end I had to open the bonnet and remove the alarm unit itself.
So after 45 minutes pissing around in the dark the car was finally silenced.
However I am at a bit of a loss as to what has caused the issue. I have been using the car pretty regularly (having done 1,500 miles in the last 2 months, but did notice that the battery had gone flat on Sunday after only a week sat still.
Is this simply a case of the battery going flat due to the drain from the alarm, or do I need to look at the alternator as being a potential issue? Is there anything else that could have caused it?
One final question. If I remove the battery and put it on charge, will it hold up, or am I better off replacing it for a new one?
Cheers guys,
Alex
Take the battery to a battery centre and get it tested - that will tell you if it is OK. Its a pain to get in and out, so you probably do not want to refit it only to find it will not hold charge!
The META sirens do develop faults as a result of their location i.e. heat and the constant supply running water down the bonnet. This effect can be minimised by relocation, mine is now behind the LH head light unit, the other side of the panel it was originally fitted to.
Providing you fit the same type sounder these can be simply replaced, providing the alarm system is not armed at the time. The last new one I bought was £45.
Cheers
Simon.
Providing you fit the same type sounder these can be simply replaced, providing the alarm system is not armed at the time. The last new one I bought was £45.
Cheers
Simon.
when i got my griff the battery would only keep enough charge for a week with the alarm. i replaced it and with the proper rating one too as someone had fitted a lower capacity one. even now though only get 2 weeks from it.
Now i know why previous owner had fitted a race style cutout removable key - good for security and keeps the battery from draining.
Now i know why previous owner had fitted a race style cutout removable key - good for security and keeps the battery from draining.
ianstaffordshire said:
hello alex just read your reply about griff battery and alarm faults and you say you have a battery isolator fitted does this work ok or does the alarm not like ,it where is it fitted on the + or - side and wher did they locate the switch
Ian, unfortunatley I don't have a battery isolator on the Griff, although it would be handy.
I stripped the old batter out at the weekend and put in the new one I ordered on Friday. This is where I hit my first issue. The old battery was a type 72 (650 amp crank output). The one I was delivered was a type 89 (590 amp crank output). Reading Steve Heaths book he talks about being able to use a 590amp battery, but gives a different type number.
I put the new battery in and it seems to work OK, but am not convinced that it is the right one to have in long term. I think I will call the battery centre and see if I can swap it for a more powerful version.
In the mean time, does anybody else run a 590 amp crank output battery in theirs?
IS 2 weeks all I could really expect to leave the car before the battery goes flat????
fick i put a 500amp one on sunday but it started just fine but i dont think the amps make any difference when it comes to them discharging on my old battery it lasted a week on full charge but only read 88amps on the tester
the battery ive put on this time is a calcium one dont know if it will make any difference!
the battery ive put on this time is a calcium one dont know if it will make any difference!
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