Cigarette / battery charger thingie?

[srebbe64]

Someone mentioned to me that you can get a trickle charger that plugs into the cigarette lighter and keeps the battery topped up. Two questions:

1) Are these any good for TVR's?

2) What are they called, and what is the best one to buy?

[targarama]

Leven sell one by Optimate. I think it is called a battery conditioner. You buy the lighter socket adapter for a few quid on top of the unit price. I've used one for a few years now and it keeps the TVR tiptop. I use it on whatever other car is in our other garage too when they're parked up for a few weeks (TT/A6, brother's 3 series) - works fine on them all.

[snorky]

seconded - works a treat if you don't drive the tiv every day.

[lundinoir]

I have the Accumate and it's brilliant. In my experience it's a necessity for any TVR.

[steve11]

www.accumate.co.uk/it010001.html

[gbbird]

lundinoir said:

I have the Accumate and it's brilliant. In my experience it's a necessity for any TVR.

i have one of these too and cannot recommend enough. It has been the difference between not going anywhere and actually getting somewhere so many times this winter.

[njw 77]

gbbird said:

lundinoir said: I have the Accumate and it's brilliant. In my experience it's a necessity for any TVR. i have one of these too and cannot recommend enough. It has been the difference between not going anywhere and actually getting somewhere so many times this winter.

3rd recommendation for the Accumate over here srebbe

[andy43]

Tightwad option -> I used a cheapo Draper trickle charger (about fifteen quid from Halfords) on mine, with a cigarette lighter plug on to make life easier. Still using it on my Merc which loses charge over a week or so without it, the charging won't be as high-tech as the proper accumate jobbie, but it's worked for the last three years

[srebbe64]

Cheers guys, Accumate it is then!

[Mr Freefall]

srebbe64 said:

Someone mentioned to me that you can get a trickle charger that plugs into the cigarette lighter and keeps the battery topped up. Two questions: 1) Are these any good for TVR's? 2) What are they called, and what is the best one to buy?

I have one of these, bought it from TVR Centre in Barnet. Excellent device, no extra connections need to be fitted to the car either. Same price as an accumate too

Mr F

[valhalla]

I bought an acumate on ebay, much cheaper than anywhere else.
Dave

[leorest]

andy43 said:

Tightwad option -> I used a cheapo Draper trickle charger (about fifteen quid from Halfords) on mine, with a cigarette lighter plug on to make life easier. Still using it on my Merc which loses charge over a week or so without it, the charging won't be as high-tech as the proper accumate jobbie, but it's worked for the last three years

Sounds like you need to buy a new battery.

BTW My cheapskate method was to use any battery charger (mine’s a Gunsons starter/charger) plugged into a timer so it only comes on for half an hour a day. No problem with over charging and cheap as chips. I got a battery conditioner as a present so use that now but to be honest it’s no better.

I can’t emphasise enough how much time you will save by sticking a new battery in if you have even the slightest suspicion there’s something up with it. I always fit the highest capacity battery that will physically fit in. Consequently the car can stand for months at a time and still fire at first TDC. Well worth the money.

Leo

[jeffsy]

Accumate for me too...I have been caught twice now with a flat battery (Relatively new battery too...)after non-car-activity so it gets plugged in every time.

I know of one chap who has hard wired the accumate connectors into his Griff...if you are interested PM me and I'll put you in touch with him.

Cheers

[jon h]

I have one I bought from a TVR dealer years ago. I think it is made by Airflow, but with a TVR badge on. Came with a cigarette lighter fitting on. I have never had a flat battery with it, the car always starts first time. Well worth it.

Jon H

[leventech]

If anyone would like to know more about Accumates and TVR's please telephone us. We have sold hundreds over the years and are happy to answer any questions you may have.

[kojak]

Accumate for me too. Cheers Leven.

[roy c]

srebbe64 said:

Someone mentioned to me that you can get a trickle charger that plugs into the cigarette lighter and keeps the battery topped up. Two questions: 1) Are these any good for TVR's? 2) What are they called, and what is the best one to buy?

Essential for TVRs, especially if you can't use it regularly.

I've been using the Airflow battery conditioner for several years. It can be connected direct to the battery, via the cigar lighter or via a concealed plug.

I have not used an Accumate, but heard good reports from those that do.

[BIG DUNC]

I am sure that an accumate is the best answer, but I have always used a trickle charger and a timer plug, and not had any problems. I don't plug the charger in unless the car has not been used for a couple of weeks ( or I know its not going to be used for a couple of weeks. ) Even then, it only has to be on for an hour or so a day to keep on top of things.
I am also a great believer in buying the biggest capacity battery that will physicaly fit in the space you are putting it. On a cold dark winter night when other things go wrong there is no substitute for a decent big good quality battery. Also ( and I admit they are more expencive than the cheapo option on day one ) they tend to last a lot longer to.

[b2tus]

Accumate too for me. Had one for some time on Chimaera and now on a Tuscan.
Cars always start first time even after being left for 4 weeks plus at a time (I travel a lot on biz).
The best piece of mind you can buy in the TVR world.

[Chris Smith]

I bought a cigarette lighter socket plug in one just before Christmas. Just over £20 from a yacht chandler. It's a solar panel that sits on the dash board (so obviously it only works if you are parking outside!). Works well in really low light conditions. Well happy with it.