GR86 How are your b82rez managing?

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Conscript

Totally Hooked
Apr 20, 2022
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Kent, UK
Morning all. Just checking in to see how everyone's car are getting on with cold starting in this weather, now our cars are three years old?

The GT86 had lots of issues with weak batteries, but so far, I thought the GR had got away with it; early last year the car sat for three weeks while I was in holiday, yet started first time when I got back. However, a couple of months ago I nearly stranded myself when I was out on a Sunday morning and parked up to take some photos, but left the lights on with engine off...car nearly didn't start. That was my fault, but yesterday morning, after a few days of sitting just around freezing, the car was very sluggish to start. It fired, but it's made me think perhaps the battery could do with an upgrade for peace of mind - on most cars, I'd expect ay least another couple of years before noticing cold starting issues.

Anyone had issues?
 
The last few days it was below 0 and the car wasn't moved regularly. It sounded if the starter has to do some heavy lifting, but always started. The Battery display reads constant 14 V. Maybe it doesn't need a replacement for another year😬
 
I’ll get back to you sometime in likely March or April when mine gets unplugged from the battery conditioner and dragged back out again. 🤣
 
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Mine has taken a fraction longer to start whilst it’s been below 0, but never really struggled. Mine is run out very regularly though, never sits for more than about 3 days at a time.
 
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Delahorney said:
Mine has taken a fraction longer to start whilst it’s been below 0, but never really struggled. Mine is run out very regularly though, never sits for more than about 3 days at a time.
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Currently I work from home almost all the time, and only have to go into the office once or twice a week. But the car has hardly moved over Christmas.
Back in the office tomorrow, so will see how it starts in the morning. The quick run I did last night showed it charging okay (+14v on the dash) so perhaps I'm worrying unduly.
 
Hachi-roku said:
I’ll get back to you sometime in likely March or April when mine gets unplugged from the battery conditioner and dragged back out again. 🤣
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Same here. Mine went 'dormant' and SORNd on October 13th and won't be out until 30th March when I'll take it over to Glasgow for it's 3rd Service and MOT. As for levels, my tracker app indicates that the car battery is currently at 13V, but I've seen it vary between 11.9 -13.5V. The battery was brand new, slightly larger Ah than OEM and installed just before the car went into storage. I'm hopeful that all will be good in March 🤞
 
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Hasn't moved since MOT. Will take it out next week if weather is good as I'm having new windows and doors put on the garage so it needs to be out and away while the scaffolding goes up for soffits and gutters too.
 
My b82rez doesn’t seem to be showing any signs that its unhappy.

Since I now have a 2nd car, which also does my commuting, the 86 goes for extended periods without moving. I decided to fit a cheap (£12) battery monitor from Aliexpress to keep an eye on it, its more convenient than me having to guess or test it with a multimeter, as hooking up a charger is a bit of a faff.

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Even in these frigid temperatures it holds charge pretty well. From the logs I’d say the limit is about 3 weeks before you should charge it, or 2 weeks if you are charging it by starting the car.

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I replaced the OEM battery with a new VARTA 65 amp hour battery a couple of months ago. Best £65 I have spent on the car. Cranks the engine faster than the OEM battery even after three weeks sat still in December.
 
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Last winter i had a dead battery, the car was in its 2nd year at that point. And it had not moved for around 3months on the driveway.
Since purchased a CTEK. With the comfort adapter it's great, the below plug permanently fitted for a quick connection, its no fuss and use it during longer periods off the road.
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Over on the US forums I'm sure I read a bunch of people talking about topping up the distilled water in the batteries as a way of keeping them alive longer, despite the manual saying no need. Probably a typical case of 'I know better than the company'.
 
I don't drive mine if its wet or there is any trace of salt on the road, but gave it a start and let it get up to temperature the other day, seemed ok. Probably due another start soon, but I heard nightmares about GT86's not starting after sitting, so far so good with this one.
 
Three weeks without a crank, it was notably sluggish but still fired up and charged back OK on the screen today. I'll be running it as normal now so will just monitor to see. Nice to see a replacement isn't too many coin.
 
From the advert the spec of the Ancel Monitor notes that the alternator/ charging function isn’t compatible with smart alternators.

. . .”Phenomenon 6:
The vehicle charging system cannot be tested ?
· Solution :
The test needs to be performed during engine running . It supports all ordinary alternators , and does not support smart alternators . If the test still does not work , please check with the vehicle manufacturer whether it is a smart alternator .”. .

The alternator fitted to the GR86 is a smart alternator (variable voltage).
In the real world is this a problem?
 
Horror said:
From the advert the spec of the Ancel Monitor notes that the alternator/ charging function isn’t compatible with smart alternators.

. . .”Phenomenon 6:
The vehicle charging system cannot be tested ?
· Solution :
The test needs to be performed during engine running . It supports all ordinary alternators , and does not support smart alternators . If the test still does not work , please check with the vehicle manufacturer whether it is a smart alternator .”. .

The alternator fitted to the GR86 is a smart alternator (variable voltage).
In the real world is this a problem?
Click to expand...
The battery monitoring and crank test work fine, I've done about 150 miles since I fitted it and it has had no ill effects on the car. I think like it says, it just means you can't use that feature. The app is looking for a certain voltage at idle and high speeds, if the alternator is kicking in and out and altering the voltage then the app thinks its found a problem.
 
Had no issues with mine so far, still fires up no bother even after being sat for a few weeks without use which I do find surprising. I'm too cheap to buy a trickle for it, I have one but it sits and keeps my van charged.

I hardly use the thing either, typically 1000 miles a year over the last couple of years.

Its just a battery , I expect about 4-5 years from a battery before needing to be replaced.
 
People go on about trickle chargers but I've never used one. My bike will probably need a battery the next time I try and start it but that's over 6yrs old now. That's fine to be honest
 
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