Battery flat - Can I use jump leads ?

[CMJ]

It must the time of year. Didnt want to add to existing posts as wanted to ask

1. As it is not totally flat (engine clicks, lights work, clock etc) can I use jump leads to start ?

2. Is this normal if the battery is OK ? (what time do others get from their battery if the car is not used)

I need to decided whether to use jump leads or simply buy a new battery.
Thanks

[mutt k]

1) I have and it doesn't seem to have done the car any harm AFAIK!

2) If it is not being used, I find the battery goes flat after three weeks, so I make a point now of starting it and letting it warm up at least once a week when I can't get out for a run. I did put a new battery in last August but the problem has persisted so when it is in for a service next week the electrics are going to be checked. Trackers are often the culprit apparently.

[egoboss]

CMJ said:

It must the time of year. Didnt want to add to existing posts as wanted to ask 1. As it is not totally flat (engine clicks, lights work, clock etc) can I use jump leads to start ? 2. Is this normal if the battery is OK ? (what time do others get from their battery if the car is not used) I need to decided whether to use jump leads or simply buy a new battery. Thanks

is fine but be aware of fact that with modern systems the old fix of then going for a long run to charge the battery up doesn't apply. if it's totally discharged sure a jum will get it started but you will need to put it on a slow trickle charge to ensure battery is charged ok.

[meldrewlives]

My car only does 5K miles a year and I find it necessary to have the battery out a couple of times to put it on trickle charge. Usually I do it in the late autumn and again in the late winter/early spring.

Keep meaning to look into the question of a solar panel but not sure if it will work given where the car sits most of the time.

[kent993]

There are a number of good trickle chargers on the market. I bought one from Autofarm for about £35 and find it does an excellent job of keeping the battery's charge topped up. I don't have it in use all the time, but if I've not been out for a week, I usually set it going - saves any worry of the car not starting when I need it!

[bob944]

I leave mine permanently coupled up to Draper Battery Master. Its about the size of a phone charger, costs about £15 from Halfords. Stops alarm etc running down the battery. These are ok aren't they?

[oldtimer]

jump starting is fine , just like any other car. As someone has pointed out, be warned that it may take a long run to get charge up so that when you stop the engine you have enough charge to restart. If the battery voltage drops too low the low current trickle chargers will not bring it back. If there is a serious drain when left standing , again the trickle charger may lose the battle to keep battery in condition. Usually the drain from alarm systems is not enough to overcome the trickle charge , something would need to be faulty eg relay or switch.

[ifm]

Battery went flat on my 996 couple of weeks ago and was beyond help as not holding charge. Have now had battery replaced at OPC, and invested in a rather neat Porsche trickle charger which just plugs straight into cigarette lighter (although cost was £80, but it does look good on the shelf in my garage!). I used jump leads to start but didn't put them on the battery but on positive and negative points in engine bay as per owners manual.

[carlmt]

I use a proper charger for the job, that charges from flat if necessary, and then uses a trickle charge to keep the battery topped up. Once charged, it goes into a maintenance cycle that makes sure it doesn't over charge the battery, just checks the voltage every 30 mins and charges if the voltage has dropped.
Have to say it's worked perfectly, and comes with a handy set of terminals that you can permanantly connect to the battery, and then just connect via a plastic connector and small cable that i can connect and then close the boot (where the battery is!)
Prior to this the car drained if not used for any more than about 10 days (old PA1000 Porsche Alarm!)
I think it's an Oxford Maximiser and only cost about £30 off e-bay.