Battery Charging...
Discussion
Unfortunately I don't have an electric socket where I park, so if I leave the car for too long without starting it, the battery will go flat (this hasn't happened and is obviously not good for the car/battery if it does)...
So I have limited options...
1) take the car out every few weeks to ensure the battery is maintained (not too much of a problem and the most enjoyable of the options available, although not always practical if away from home or a long winter etc.)
2) Start the car up and let it idle for 5 mins or so every now and then - is this wise, can it cause problems? If it is OK, how long would be necessary to charge the battery, is 5 mins enough?
3) Plug in a battery pack (powerpack) into the power socket in either boot or passenger footwell - this would mean recharging the power pack every so often and putting it back into the car - effectively this would act as a trickle charger? Would this even work?
Any ideas/comments would be appreciated!
Cheers
So I have limited options...
1) take the car out every few weeks to ensure the battery is maintained (not too much of a problem and the most enjoyable of the options available, although not always practical if away from home or a long winter etc.)
2) Start the car up and let it idle for 5 mins or so every now and then - is this wise, can it cause problems? If it is OK, how long would be necessary to charge the battery, is 5 mins enough?
3) Plug in a battery pack (powerpack) into the power socket in either boot or passenger footwell - this would mean recharging the power pack every so often and putting it back into the car - effectively this would act as a trickle charger? Would this even work?
Any ideas/comments would be appreciated!
Cheers
LordBretSinclair said:
Drive it !!!!!!
Ticking over for 5 minutes may charge the battery but it's not doing the rest of the car any good. A decent drive will get the engine properly warmed up and give the brakes and all the electrics etc a "work out".
yes, this is my thought! - and 99% of the time this is the solution - it's just the odd couple of months a year when i'm not around as much that I need a solution...Ticking over for 5 minutes may charge the battery but it's not doing the rest of the car any good. A decent drive will get the engine properly warmed up and give the brakes and all the electrics etc a "work out".
john ryan said:
The battery pack idea is a good one, but I think it will discharge along with the main battery, so it will be a bit longer until voltage falls below a useful level. How long it will last is a matter of trial. I presume you use the battery disconnect button?
Yes, the powerpack will definitely discharge as it won't be mains-powered, but will probably double the life of the car-battery? So I'm guessing would get a good month without needing to worry? What/where is the battery disconnect button??!
The manual says that the battery disconnect switch doubles the battery life. Useful if you have one, or get one fitted.
Be sure you know where the battery re-connect switch is. It's not the same switch, is cunningly concealed, and your manual will be locked away in your now disabled glovebox!
Be sure you know where the battery re-connect switch is. It's not the same switch, is cunningly concealed, and your manual will be locked away in your now disabled glovebox!
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