Battery-gate - Gran Turismo 4.2 - the outcome

[Bobby Dandruff]

(just in case anyone is interested!)

You may have read a fascinating post by me a few months back when the battery died on my GranTurismo 4.2.

There were lots of very helpful posts but I thought that I'd report back now with the findings (in case anyone is still reading that is....):

The car is an early 2009 Gran Turismo with approx 18k on the clock and I suspect that the problem battery fitted in the car was the original. Anyway despite all of the advice on here (trickle chargers, problems arising from short journey usage) I called the RAC out and they fitted a new battery (after they brought out the wrong one of course) for about £150. It wasn't a specific make but one of their generic ones.

Since then the car has started first time, every time, despite relatively light usage, lots of short journeys AND having been left for well over 3 weeks whilst were were away on holiday.

So I'm not sure if this helps or not :-/

Robert

 

[Blondie]

Hi Robert,

Fearing a repeat of a dead battery whilst on the Centenary trip, I decided to bite the bullet and have a heavy duty battery installed. Not one issue whilst I was away, much to my relief. I know we drive Italian cars and I rather enjoyed the "will it start?" mentality here on the forum, but only till it happened to me.
It does appear the original batteries are not good enough for the GT's (mine is a 4.7).

Thanks for sharing.
M

 

[Contigo]

Battery conditioner/rechargers on offer at LIDL from next week .Rebranded CTEK apparently for under £20.

 

[dickygrace]

Battery conditioner/rechargers on offer at LIDL from next week .Rebranded CTEK apparently for under £20.

I'll be having a couple of those, thanks for the pointer Contigo.

 

[Contigo]

Same here will go grab one or two.

 

[Contigo]

http://www.lidl.co.uk/en/our-offers-2491.htm?action=showDetail&id=16838

 

[Contigo]

Bought it, looks good for the money, yet to try but sure it will be fine... Got get them boys and girls..... Car covers and Generators too.

 

[Trev Latter]

Got the Mrs to pick one up. Not tried it yet, but have been using similar units on the bikes for ages.

 

[daverichardson]

Now the season has changed I am thinking of buying a maintenance charger for my QP
Is the Lidl one a maintenance charger?
d

 

[ratbag]

Now the season has changed I am thinking of buying a maintenance charger for my QP
Is the Lidl one a maintenance charger?
d

It is a maintenance charger but does not come with the connectors to just connect it to the battery like the C tek ones- You have to disconnect the battery and attach the supplied alligator clips- bit of a pain

 

[daverichardson]

Ratbag!
Thanks for the info.
C tek are a good make. Are connectors available so no disconnection is needed?
Many thanks
d

 

[CatmanV2]

Many on ebay. Including
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120484539187?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Which I will get round to fitting

C

 

[daverichardson]

Catman V2
Many thanks
This looks just the job
Another little project!
d

 

[CatmanV2]

Always a pleasure. I'm not quite sure where to fix it. The lining is a tiny bit too flexible for comfort. I may make a small bracket from angle material and mount it behind the access door.

I guess I should buy one first

Oh! Does the Lidl version have the plug on the end, into which you plug the alligator clips?

C

 

[Felonious Crud]

Same story: new battery (big fat Bosch) = happy Italian.

 

[Trev Latter]

No it doesn't.

 

[CatmanV2]

Ahh. The you'll need to fashion something as well

C

 

[daverichardson]

Went to Lidl yesterday and purchased the battery charger and the air compressor for use with my QP
Still in the box, weather is awful so I will try them later on
The compressor is an alternative to the glue (not a fan of this) that is normally used. It may get me home in an emergency
£26.98 for the pair so it is not a disaster if it does not work out plus it is a bit reassuring
d