Avoid flat battery

[gbbird]

Hi,
Just wondering if anyone has any tips to avoid a flat battery on a Cerbie, which i imagine can be a pain to get in it if the battery is dead.

I have mine covered up but not garaged. With the recent cold weather i try to start her up at least once a week, and so far with no problems.

[gdm_391]

If you can run a power extension cable to the car then try an Accumate Battery Charger/Conditioner from Leven Technology (www.leventechnology.co.uk) which plugs into the cigar lighter - mine is garaged and hooked up and keeps the battery at full charge. Very easy to hook up/disconnect when you want to go out for a blast round the country lanes at the weekend.

I keep the window down an inch or so to feed the cable in which admittedly might not be so easy if the car is outside, locked and alarmed - suggest you see if a cable jammed between the window and the door frame prevents the thing alarming itself first.

[bilton_d]

use the car every day ......... problem solved

[kojak69]

I would say a trickle charger from Leven, as mentioned, is a must.
Also, if you start your car once a week, its best to drive it and let it go through the whole heating cycle, rather than leaving on the drive running.

[gbbird]

thanks for the advice guys.

i will take into account what you all said - i'll get a charger and make a new years resolution to use the Cerbie much more - should'nt be too difficult!

[siwilkie]

solar charger
do you know a small cell solar charger which you can get from a good camping center or battery stockist will sit in back window plug either to battery or in lighter and even in this weather it will produce enough energy to keep the battery topped up they are about £60 but can be used say in garage over summer for lighting power you will be suprised how good si ( we have been on solar course and have seen results on a test)

[munir]

bilton_d said:

use the car every day ......... problem solved

Agreed.

[shpub]

Tis easier to run the charger cable direct to the battery under the bonnet as there are some gaps that will take the lead with no problem. That way the car is still secure, leak proof and charged.

[davidd]

shpub said:

Tis easier to run the charger cable direct to the battery under the bonnet as there are some gaps that will take the lead with no problem. That way the car is still secure, leak proof and charged.

I agree with Mr H on this one. my Cerb sits on the street and I manage to get the charger, power reel (unwound of course) and all the cables in with the bonnet and car locked and alarmed.

The only thing that worries me is what happens if it rains?

D.

[gbbird]

cheers guys,

on a connected theme, do you know if by leaving the bonnet release unlocked this will affect enabling the alarm? was thinking if i did get a flat then with the bonnet release open i could get to the battery easily, and avoid the hard way!

[kojak69]

No. Mine doesn't. Alarm is not connected to the bonnet.
I leave my bonnet up in the garage, as I have the trickle chatge connected, and the alarm is armed. Eventually, i'm going to 'plumb' the trickle charger in.

[Julian64]

I'm just doing this myself. Anyone got any ideas where the leads should go to be unobtrusive and easy to get to for charging?

[kojak69]

No. I'm still thinking of the best place to put it. Thought about near the wipers through the vent, thought about in the front grill somewhere. Would love to be able to 'flick' the rear number plate up to find the connector. That'd be good, but too much messing around fitting hinges of some sort to the plate itself.

[olly]

How about behind the front plate ? Shouldn't be too hard ot get it there, and it can still be got to easily by putiing your hands round the plate, but you won't be able to actually see it.....

[Julian64]

thought about the front grille, but not much meat there. I would like something that fell out when I reversed out of the garage.