Booster pack?

[shamus1972]

Hi,

I'm hopefully going to be the owner of a W reg Tuscan within the next couple of weeks after taking one for a test drive at Brooklands in Exeter. I didn't mean to buy one - I've wanted a TVR for ages but had planned on saving for the next 3 years to get one, but after driving the Tuscan last Saturday my wife and I offered our nice reliable MX5 as deposit and are waiting to hear whether we will be accepted for finance or not! We should hear tomorrow, but it's nerve wracking stuff!

Anyway, my point is this: I stalled the car I drove and it wouldn't start after that, either due to a flat battery or dodgy starter motor. A guy came out with a booster pack but it didn't have the correct connections for the Tuscan which seems to have battery connections not dissimilar to those of a forklift truck! It bump started okay though!

My questions are these:

Can you get some sort of booster pack for the Tuscan - one which you could plug in to the mains in your house to charge, then carry it round in the boot in case you needed it, with the correct connector on it ?

and,

What are Tuscans like for starting generally? Does the battery run flat if they are not driven for a few days or only for short distances, or was I just unlucky with the test drive?

Sorry to go on for so long - the fact that the car wouldn't start hasn't put me off buying a TVR at all - there are ways to get round most things - I just hope the finance company say yes!

[jamer]

The plug in chargers are available from Leven Technology and are the same as the fork lift truck ones. They are about £50 odd quid I think, they can be stored in the boot and some dealers give them with the new Tuscans in the boot.

They can also be modified to be a plug in charger from underneath the car - this is done by incorporating an optimate charger with them. this enables your TVR to be plugged in all the time and it conditions the battery.

Therefore it will always have power.

Edited by jamer on Tuesday 15th January 21:44

[fish]

I use mine regularily and have never had problems with the battery or starting. It has been left for upto a week and at the moment is living outside in the cold temperatures and still no problems.

[shamus1972]

Thanks chaps! I've just heard that I can now afford my Tuscan - should be getting it on Saturday if they can service it in time!

Edited by shamus1972 on Wednesday 16th January 18:25

[becky]

I have a 1998 Griffith which came with a fitted Optimate battery conditioner. The car is kept in a dry, heated garaged and kept plugged into the mains via this kit. I have to say that in 15months of ownership the car has always started first time with this 'on the button', even after no use for a month.I know this is tempting fate....... I don't know whether this is the same kit as Leven sell but I'd recommend it. I have just left another message elsewhere recommending Leven so I'd give them a call and see what they suggest. Enjoy the Tuscan.....