Going on Holiday...what to do??

[nms]

I am going on holiday a week today and wondering what the best thing (if any) is to do with the car. I will only be away for about 10days, but can't face the prospect of a flat battery. I actually had a brand spanking new battery put in this week, so is it unlikely to go flat anyway?

I can't use a trickle charge as I keep it on the street, any other suggestions? I was thinking of getting someone to come along and start it in the middle of the week, is this worth it? And if so how long would they need to run the engine for to make it worthwhile.

Cheers.

[jonnyw]

Ahhggh! On the road in the same place for 10 days!!!!
Find a friendly Cerb driver with a big driveway or better still a garage.

If your Kent/South London e-mail me off line, Ben has started his driving lessons and we need another car! That'll keep the battery charged!

Seriously give me a call if your in the area.

Jonny

[Captain Beaky]

You might want to leave the bonnet open so you can get to the battery if it has gone flat. Or wire up a (hidden) lead so you can charge it.

[kojak]

Captain Beaky said:

You might want to leave the bonnet open so you can get to the battery if it has gone flat. Or wire up a (hidden) lead so you can charge it.

Good point.

It would be a good idea for someone to come and run the car through its cycle. 10 days should be fine on some cars, but a lot can have problems if left for a few days. It is a pity you cant leave it somewhere with a trickle charger connected.

[J_S_G]

With a new battery, you should be fine (assuming it's a decent, hefty lump of a battery. What ampage is it?)

Left mine for about 10 days when I pottered off to Egypt last year. And another 10 for Morocco this year, etc. No problems at all.

[kojak]

Mine was left 4-5 weeks when my clutch went 18 months ago, and started no trouble...although turned over slow at first.

[nms]

not sure what size the new battery is, was just told that the one in there was smaller than recommended and that if I was not going to drive daily that it might be worth upgrading.
If it were just to be started, how long should the neighbours run the engine for (I don't trust her to actually drive it...)??

[satman]

nms said:

I am going on holiday a week today and wondering what the best thing (if any) is to do.....

Dont forget to lock the front door....oh, and take your passport!

[kojak]

nms said:

If it were just to be started, how long should the neighbours run the engine for (I don't trust her to actually drive it...)??

I would say through its heat cycle. 10 mins.

[morebeanz]

Hang on, I thought the purpose of firing it up was to preserve the battery not the engine? I can't think that ten minutes is going to do much to a car battery in the way of charging. I always got told that a) you need to get the revs over the bare tick over (2-3000) before any real good is done, and b) that you would need a decent (read half hour) run in the car before any benefit accrued from starting.

Any experts around?

[kojak]

I would agree that a good run is best. Not sure what is regarded as enough to charge the battery.

[davetherave1970]

morebeanz said:

I always got told that a) you need to get the revs over the bare tick over (2-3000) before any real good is done, and b) that you would need a decent (read half hour) run in the car before any benefit accrued from starting. Any experts around?

Same here.
Just starting it takes charge out of the batt so I would have thought 20 mins run at more than idle would replace the charge and anything more would top it up.
Just guessing though!

[nms]

Cheers for all the replies but it turns out that it's all a bit pointless as it ain't gonna be back from the garage before I go away so it will have to stay there instead.
Apparently I have a totally bespoke exhaust system (!) and in order to fit the new cats that were needed (and hurt my pocket) they are going to need the car for a few days longer and I won't be able to collect it before I leave.....it's only been there a couple of weeks already for a service & MOT....ahhh TVR ownership. All though to be fair they are doing a grand job of sorting it all out I was just really looking forward to blast tomorrow. Nevermind.

[kojak]

At least it'll be safe with them, and not be on the road for 10 days. They'll also have the problem of it not starting.

[nms]

I know, that's what I am telling myself. Although won't stop the frustration tomorrow as I trudge about on public transport knowing how different it could be.

[rude girl]

Since you're already breaking the bank, why not get them to put a decent battery in while it's in?

[nms]

They are putting a new one in...and on the subject of bankbreaking, am up to £3k already with major service, tappets, 2 new cats and exhuast stuff, MOT and a load of other bits and bobs. It's definitely worth it. Just would really like it back!!

[J_S_G]

nms said:

Apparently I have a totally bespoke exhaust system (!) and in order to fit the new cats that were needed (and hurt my pocket) they are going to need the car for a few days longer and I won't be able to collect it before I leave.....

Get it de-catted?

[rude girl]

nms said:

They are putting a new one in...and on the subject of bankbreaking, am up to £3k already with major service, tappets, 2 new cats and exhuast stuff, MOT and a load of other bits and bobs. It's definitely worth it.

That's the spirit!

"Since we're walking on thin ice, we might as well dance"

[nms]

Well - just pour salt on the wounds, the train that I am now having to take tomorrow is actually going to be a bus rail replacement service...some days just don't get any better.