New TVR Owner

[Paul M]

Hello All,

After years of admiration (too many years to mention) I recently acquired my TVR - Chimaera 400, 1997/P, Starmist Blue, full Magnolia leather, PAS, 46k.

Only one question at the moment (I'm sure there will be many more to come) with regards trickle chargers. I'm off on hols in a couple of weeks for 14 days and will be leaving car in the garage. Can I leave the trickle charger on during this length of time?

Would appreciate any advice.

[dickbastardly]

Hi Paul and welcome to the fold
i went on my hols a few weeks ago and didnt drive mine for about three weeks. on my return she started without fault or stutter.
hope this helps
andy
ps the blue ones are the fastest!!

[Dave 500]

Paul M said:

Hello All,

Can I leave the trickle charger on during this length of time?

Would appreciate any advice.

Can't see it being a problem some people leave them on for months. It should still start after two weeks if you battery's in good health without the need for the trickle charger if you don't like the idea of having it on when your away.

[Paul M]

dickbastardly said:

Hi Paul and welcome to the fold
i went on my hols a few weeks ago and didnt drive mine for about three weeks. on my return she started without fault or stutter.
hope this helps
andy
ps the blue ones are the fastest!!

Hi Andy and thanks.

Pleased I bought the right colour

[mdotrutherford]

They come in others colours too ?.....

[amazon]

Paul M said:

Hello All,

After years of admiration (too many years to mention) I recently acquired my TVR - Chimaera 400, 1997/P, Starmist Blue, full Magnolia leather, PAS, 46k.

Only one question at the moment (I'm sure there will be many more to come) with regards trickle chargers. I'm off on hols in a couple of weeks for 14 days and will be leaving car in the garage. Can I leave the trickle charger on during this length of time?

Would appreciate any advice.

Hi Paul - good colour choice - my first one was same year, same colour etc. That was 11 years ago! Fantastic car! Congratulations

I sometimes don't start my Chimaera for 3 weeks and it fires up no problem. I think the key is whether your battery is tip top.

[SpudMurphy]

You need an Accumate - a sort of 'intelligent' trickle charger that will switch itself on and off to charge and top up your battery as needed. Cost about £40, sometimes a bit cheaper on fleabay.

Have a look here: http://www.accumate.co.uk/  Also consider getting a wall mount if you want to put up a semi-permanent fixture, an extension lead if you think that you'll need one and if you're not going to wire it in permanently to the battery, an adapter for your cigarette lighter socket - this is probably the most convenient way to start.

Do a search on the forums - there's load of info.

[so called]

Hi Paul, I used to regularly leave my Chimaera in an airport in Germany for 3 to 4 weeks.
It was never a problem until I changed the Radio/CD player.
I found a solution to that and so had no further problems.
If your battery is good, you should be fine without the charger.

[Tappo]

I started my '93 Chim in "go faster green" at the weeking after being garaged for 3 weeks first time of asking.

Leven Technology also sell trickle chargers. Worth shopping around though they do seem to be similar prices.

Congratulations on choosing a fantastic motor!!!!!

[AlRaven]

Paul, mines absolutely identical to yours apart from the interior (Flint grey/Prussian blue), had it 6 weeks now and still loving it (when weather allows). I've got a battery conditioner from Vertar which was a lot cheaper than the Accumate and is well rated, I use it if the car is unused anything over a couple of weeks. I think it's worth having for what they cost but then my battery is 6 years old now and maybe I'm just playing safe but I don't fancy trying to connect jump leads to that battery!

[WazzaL]

mdotrutherford said:

They come in others colours too ?.....

Ignorance is bliss. - Hence why those with the blue ones think they are fastest when clearly the green ones are...

Welcome to the fold and the freindly banter.

[WazzaL]

mdotrutherford said:

They come in others colours too ?.....

Ignorance is bliss. - Hence why those with the blue ones think they are fastest when clearly the green ones are...

Welcome to the fold and the freindly banter.

[tucker20]

Welcome!!

[K4TRV]

Welcome.

Want to save a tenner or so? Then pop off to Halfrauds and get an Automatic charger, can be connected permanently, can charge a flat battery, which I think Accumate etc will struggle.

See this link and there's a pikki:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Cheers

K4Trv

[TVR keith]

WazzaL said:

mdotrutherford said:

Ignorance is bliss. - Hence why those with the blue ones think they are fastest when clearly the green ones are...

.

Actually the fastest ones are the ones that start because they don't have a six year old battery

[chim666]

Hi Paul, an Accumate (or similar) will be fine left plugged-in.

Welcome to the fold, maybe see you out and about (where in Wilts are you?)

BTW - K4TRV...hello matey...hope you're well!

Paul

Edited by chim666 on Monday 20th August 16:52

[Paul M]

chim666 said:

Hi Paul, an Accumate (or similar) will be fine left plugged-in.

Welcome to the fold, maybe see you out and about (where in Wilts are you?)

BTW - K4TRV...hello matey...hope you're well!

Paul

Edited by chim666 on Monday 20th August 16:52

Hi Paul,

I'm in Amesbury - the "dark side" of the county

Will keep an eye out for you.

PM

[nikman]

WazzaL said:

mdotrutherford said:

They come in others colours too ?.....

Ignorance is bliss. - Hence why those with the blue ones think they are fastest when clearly the green ones are...

Wot ^^he^^ said bout the green ones!!

[Paul M]

Thanks to all for a warm welcome and advice etc re trickle charger.

I'm not disappointed by the Chimaera in fact becoming quite smitten In fact just finding any excuse to get out and drive it. Sometimes car ownership can prove to be a case of reality over expectation and would a TVR be what I imagined it to be? Well so far yes, definitely worth waiting for and something to enjoy and celebrate. Enough of the sentimentality I like to think I've entered ownership with my eyes fairly open.

A few bits needed before its up to my standard - being a very fussy car owner;

Yes I've found the roof leaks. Drying out the carpets and car now safely garaged (after all weekend clearing it of the noramal crap that we all keep in them) and to be dry weather use only.

Passenger door motor(s) replacement and alarm (META but not known which model)to be checked over. Chatted with Carl Baker today and a visit to him very soon. He seems like a top man and probably going to sort audio too.

Passenger seat - fore and aft not workinhg

Thorough clean - inside and out,polish chrome work, treat leather and especially engine bay - nothing worse than filthy engine bay IMHO

Sort stone chips and scratches

Treat myself to a few Leven goodies. Recently purchased car hood cover from them (prior to getting car into garage) - excellent bit of kit and very helpful, pleasant people to deal with.

..... thats the start. I'm sure when I get going I'll find a lot more to do