Battery charging

[Espritment]

Soon after I bought my Tamora, I found that the battery was pretty flat after not using the car for about 5 weeks. I purchased a new battery, and found that after a short period of no use, that new battery was again so flat that, it did not seem to take charge from a small charger. The battery agent, was convinced that it just needed a charge, but replaced it anyway. To be on the safe side I have since connected a small connector to a battery charger which operates 1 hour per day on a timer, and that was the end of my troubles.

Upon closer investigation, it seems like there is about 40 Amps drawn for a very short period of about 2 seconds, when a door is either opened or closed. I'm not sure what the reason is and would like to know if any has the answer to that. I would also like to obtain a technical manual, and would appreciate a contact.

[Englishman]

40 amps is massive for anything except the starter motor. Would suggest a short and/or incorrect wiring to me, probably somewhere in the immobliser circuits.

[Espritment]

That's exactly what comes to my mind, but I believe it's the standard immobiliser circuit in the car. From a manual, it may be easier to eliminate problem areas, as I do not know what happens when the door is opened besides the window winder motors running for a fraction of a second. I took a reading with a digital DC clamp meter, which takes about that time to settle into a reading, so there may be an amount of error, but it is still a substancial current. The previous owner started the car up at least once a week to the point of the fans running, even if he did not take it out for a ride, so he never had such problems. The dealer that he traded the car in to, did however have similar problems, before I purchased it.

[Targarama]

Not sure about the drain - but most owners who don't use their car very often have invested in a trickle charger which can be left connected all the time. Accumate is an example of a good brand, and can be connected through the lighter socket inside the car.

[Espritment]

Thanks for the suggestion of the cigarette lighter, as it is a more practical solution. I will look out for that trickle charger. Thank you.

[julianc]

Do you not have a flying lead in the passenger footwell? This is the connector for a trickle charger that I use whenever the Tamora is in the garage.

[barryf]

Recently had a battery issue with my T350t. It was discharging over night. Thought the battery was goosed so got a new one but same issue, discharged over night. Once fully re-charged and installed, with the assistance of Sagaris owner Neil, we checked to see if the relays were fully home in their sockets, same with the fuses then measured the current draw with various items on, i.e. side lights, head lights, fan etc. With a door opened, the current draw was only 0.04amps, with the door closed, 0.02amps. sidelight, headlights on etc, about 4.5amps.
Battery has been OK since, may have been a loose relay. Worth just giving them a thump with the palm of your hand to ensure they are fully home within their sockets. Or maybe it's just one of these TVR gremlins that comes and goes.
Note:- Under recommendation, I also checked the Anderson connector for corrosion, there was a bit of corrosion in the positive connector, so removed it completely just in case. (We know of a Tuscan that had a small fire in this area due to corrosion on the Anderson connector. Fortunately two of us were on hand with fire extinguishers.).

[Espritment]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will look in the passenger footwell when I get back home. I will also look at the relays, but I am not sure what the Anderson connector is. Please forgive me if it something obvious. Thanks

[Targarama]

Espritment said:

Thanks for the suggestions. I will look in the passenger footwell when I get back home. I will also look at the relays, but I am not sure what the Anderson connector is. Please forgive me if it something obvious. Thanks

Get on the floor and look under the car right behind the front left wheel. You will see a red/white connector, this is known as an Anderson connector. I believe it is the same a used on forklift vehicles. This is how you connect to the battery from outside the car without taking the wheel/wheelarch panel off (the battery is in there behind the wheel).

[VARLEYHYD]

Here we go try these:





G

[Espritment]

Thanks for all the help. I have seen it in the past but was not aware of it's name. At least your underbody seems a lot cleaner than what I expect mine to be, as the paintwork has been pitted by the use of some terrible road under repair, where the loose grit did a lot of damage to the under side paint. It is one of my projects in the near future.