Couple of useful toys...

[jifflemon]

Thought I'd share a couple of things I've found handy:

1) VehicleSmart App. Available on both the apple and android stores, its VERY cheap, UK developed and just incredibly useful! You enter a UK registration number and boom, You have access to MOT history, mileage history, Tax and MOT status etc, etc. You can then add vehicles to your garage, and add additional information (such as Insurance details, servicing details etc) and thus get reminders when stuff is due. It's been an absolute godsend for me!

2) BM2 Bluetooth Battery monitor. Another simple and effective thing. The 480 isn't my daily driver, so It's handy to know whether or not the battery needs charging. Fasten one of these little fella's across the battery, and I know the battery voltage without even opening the engine bay. The app tracks charging history too, so I can see at a glance if there's anything naughty going on. Its so handy that everything in my fleet is now sporting one!

[arthuy]

The BM2 is interesting, what unit did you buy? there seems to be a few variations.

[jifflemon]

I’ll be bluntly honest and say “the cheapest one I could!”

I actually did a best offer and got 3 of them for £55.

This is the seller I used:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2021812380

[jifflemon]

adding to my list of useful things:

A proper Dehumidifier

we all know that 480's can, at times, resemble a sieve. Even if you have the luxury of a garage for your 480, you still need one of these, as moisture is the enemy, as it leads to rust.

Even if your run this bad boy on full speed, 24/7, it'll cost you around 4p a day.

Damp interior? Pop inside the car, leave it to do it's magic.

If you think the 2 litre tank won't be enough (or are having it as a fixed garage installation) you can plumb in to have a proper drain.

Absolutely recommended

[zapcity]

+1 for Vehicle Smart app. Couldn't remember all the MOT, insurance dates etc. without it.

Also very useful for checking the history of everyone else's cars!!


+1 for the dehumidifer too. Hard wired and plumbed into the garage. Make sure you get a dessicant model and not a compressor type for our cold winters.

My must have is a Noco Genius Boost: - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B015TKUPIC/ ... 72943&sr=1

Tiny little thing and invaluable if you get a flat battery.

[WRDendy]

A battery pack is useful to have. I keep one under the seat in the 480 and it gets used a fair amount, particularly when the 480 doesn't get driven for a while - I'd probably need it less often if I invested in a battery monitor, so perhaps that will be next on the list...

I've just downloaded Vehicle Smart, looks rather handy!

[arthuy]

I am a convert for the battery packs.

Bought one at christmas, started a 4 litre jag and 2.4litre landrover and the 480 after it had been sitting for a few weeks.

I tend to keep it in the house and charge my phone without needing to have it plugged in to the wall.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/G7-18000-mAh-E ... 2V+16V+19V

Bought a BM2 took me a while to get it working, you need to have your phone location activated which would be a nice bit of info to add to their website. Also disconnect it before trying to jump start the car.