Garages without electrical power
Discussion
Hi all, Chim-Day draws closer, but I still have one problem to solve. My garage has no electrical power (or sunshine) - so I need to find a way round the flat battery issues as I may leave the car for 2 weeks (but not more). I have read a number of threads on battery issues but I'm looking for a direct comparison between my potential solutions.
a) Redtop gel battery - how long do these last when left alone? I read they are good for CCA but not any better for Ah than a standard lead acid.
b) Battery brain. The gentleman at Fernhurst TVR said not to bother with these - although it sounds very convenient. This is my current 'best bet'.
c) Battery break out with external starter pack. Fernhurst TVR recommended - however I have now read about the connectors getting hot under the bonnet, breaking down, shorting out and burning down your car.
What should I go with?
a) Redtop gel battery - how long do these last when left alone? I read they are good for CCA but not any better for Ah than a standard lead acid.
b) Battery brain. The gentleman at Fernhurst TVR said not to bother with these - although it sounds very convenient. This is my current 'best bet'.
c) Battery break out with external starter pack. Fernhurst TVR recommended - however I have now read about the connectors getting hot under the bonnet, breaking down, shorting out and burning down your car.
What should I go with?
Alexdaredevilz said:
Solar panel trickle charger, little hole and selant in corner off roof = job done
Can anyone recommend a solar panel trickle charger? I am in the same position of having a garage with no power, although drive it most weekends which keeps it good there are some times where it could be several weeks.Are they any good? do they work well?
Timja said:
Can anyone recommend a solar panel trickle charger? I am in the same position of having a garage with no power, although drive it most weekends which keeps it good there are some times where it could be several weeks.
Are they any good? do they work well?
In a word: no. Even in decent sunshine mine wouldn't keep the Chim battery topped up. Are they any good? do they work well?
I understand the main cause of the high drain is the alarm. If your garage is secure then leaving the alarm switched off (the immobiliser is still active) will help. I've left mine for 3 weeks and it's restarted without problem.
However, to be on the safe side I've fitted a Priority Start - similar to a Battery Brain but reconnects automatically when it detects a current drain eg the interior light coming on. I leave a window open so I can reach in and trigger the reconnection - then the door will open. So far the only time i've used this is when testing it after fitting!
However, to be on the safe side I've fitted a Priority Start - similar to a Battery Brain but reconnects automatically when it detects a current drain eg the interior light coming on. I leave a window open so I can reach in and trigger the reconnection - then the door will open. So far the only time i've used this is when testing it after fitting!
miniman said:
Timja said:
Can anyone recommend a solar panel trickle charger? I am in the same position of having a garage with no power, although drive it most weekends which keeps it good there are some times where it could be several weeks.
Are they any good? do they work well?
In a word: no. Even in decent sunshine mine wouldn't keep the Chim battery topped up. Are they any good? do they work well?
I have a small Odyssey battery in the boot, it's the PC925.
It has plenty of power for starting and I've left it for over a month without being on my Optimate.
Being in my garage, the car was unlocked and not alarmed, but there was no problem with starting.
Since yours will be in a secure garage, I'd look at the Odyssey range and if you want to keep the car locked and alarmed maybe go for a higher spec one.
If you're happy to leave it unlocked etc, maybe with someother security devices in place, the 925 would be fine.
Consider putting it in the boot if you regularly have a passenger - it frees up nearly 8 inches of legroom.
It has plenty of power for starting and I've left it for over a month without being on my Optimate.
Being in my garage, the car was unlocked and not alarmed, but there was no problem with starting.
Since yours will be in a secure garage, I'd look at the Odyssey range and if you want to keep the car locked and alarmed maybe go for a higher spec one.
If you're happy to leave it unlocked etc, maybe with someother security devices in place, the 925 would be fine.
Consider putting it in the boot if you regularly have a passenger - it frees up nearly 8 inches of legroom.
Got the PC925 in the footwell, with the ECU next to it instead of hanging off the end of its loom in front of the battery box. PC925 on its side, battery box lid becoems redundant (AGM battery - non-gassing, non-spillable).
Result is pretty much the same improvement in footwell space without having to run the main power cable through, along the outer sill and placing a battery next to or on top of a fuel tank...
Result is pretty much the same improvement in footwell space without having to run the main power cable through, along the outer sill and placing a battery next to or on top of a fuel tank...
900T-R said:
Got the PC925 in the footwell, with the ECU next to it instead of hanging off the end of its loom in front of the battery box. PC925 on its side, battery box lid becoems redundant (AGM battery - non-gassing, non-spillable).
Result is pretty much the same improvement in footwell space without having to run the main power cable through, along the outer sill and placing a battery next to or on top of a fuel tank...
Very interesting 900T-R.Result is pretty much the same improvement in footwell space without having to run the main power cable through, along the outer sill and placing a battery next to or on top of a fuel tank...
That's exactly the solution to footwell space I have been considering, can you share some photos of your installation?
How much extra legroom you have created?
To me it sounds like a much better idea than putting the battery in the boot
Has anyone considered having 2 batteries?
You can get a split charge relay from a caravan place but essentially its only an ignition switched relay so that while driving your caravan battery gets charged but when engine is off relay drops out so you can drain the auxiliary battery without affecting the main battery. A small leisure battery would probably work well (again caravan place
) as they can stand being deep discharged - if you do that to a car battery a few times it will fail.
Hope this makes sense.
Be careful in terms of insurance leaving alarms and immobilisers off.
The alternative might be a replacement alarm / immobiliser that doesn't use as much power.
You can get a split charge relay from a caravan place but essentially its only an ignition switched relay so that while driving your caravan battery gets charged but when engine is off relay drops out so you can drain the auxiliary battery without affecting the main battery. A small leisure battery would probably work well (again caravan place
) as they can stand being deep discharged - if you do that to a car battery a few times it will fail.Hope this makes sense.
Be careful in terms of insurance leaving alarms and immobilisers off.
The alternative might be a replacement alarm / immobiliser that doesn't use as much power.
Edited by Barkychoc on Sunday 22 May 08:06
Chimpafrolic said:
Very interesting 900T-R.
That's exactly the solution to footwell space I have been considering, can you share some photos of your installation?
How much extra legroom you have created?
To me it sounds like a much better idea than putting the battery in the boot
Have some pics (they're probably on the office computer tho'- will post later).That's exactly the solution to footwell space I have been considering, can you share some photos of your installation?
How much extra legroom you have created?
To me it sounds like a much better idea than putting the battery in the boot
I haven't measured the difference, but at 6'3"ish with long legs, I now can 'almost' stretch out in the passenger footwell... I'd say about 4" or so?
The PC925 survives 2 weeks of non-usage in the underground parking with ease - better now I also have a Powerlite starter motor.
900T-R said:
Have some pics (they're probably on the office computer tho'- will post later).
I haven't measured the difference, but at 6'3"ish with long legs, I now can 'almost' stretch out in the passenger footwell... I'd say about 4" or so?
The PC925 survives 2 weeks of non-usage in the underground parking with ease - better now I also have a Powerlite starter motor.
Nice one, I definitely want to see those snaps.I haven't measured the difference, but at 6'3"ish with long legs, I now can 'almost' stretch out in the passenger footwell... I'd say about 4" or so?
The PC925 survives 2 weeks of non-usage in the underground parking with ease - better now I also have a Powerlite starter motor.
I really like the idea of keeping the battery in the footwell and still getting improvements in passenger leg room, it should equate to an easier, safer and quicker solution to putting the battery in the boot.
4" is a big gain, I don't doubt you 900T-R but I've just looked the dimension differences between the Odyssey (on its side) & an 072, it seems to indicate I can expect a 2" advantage?
Is there some extra gain by losing the battery box?
Over two weeks is a good result too, I get about 10 days absolute tops if its not on the Halfords maintenance charger.
It's worth remembering a lot of modern cars also suffer the parasitic battery drain problem.
My old Prius (yes I know
) would only do 7-10 days before the starter battery was completely drained, happened twice & was always unrecoverable, AA man said it's a common problem these days.When my 6 year old battery finally gives up I plan to fit the Odyssey in the footwell with the PriorityStart I bought last year, it should solve the drain problem once & for all, the extra legroom will be the icing on the cake.
Thanks 900T-R, I look forward to the snaps.
PS: I don't suppose you are going to TAG11, if so I would love to see your installation in person.
Chimpafrolic said:
To me it sounds like a much better idea than putting the battery in the boot
Clearly your decision, but locating in the boot gives 8" extra.I didn't do mine myself, it was done by Dulford Automotive.
Picture of my boot installation here:
http://www.dulfordauto.co.uk/content/latest-tvr-ne...
blitzracing said:
miniman said:
Timja said:
Can anyone recommend a solar panel trickle charger? I am in the same position of having a garage with no power, although drive it most weekends which keeps it good there are some times where it could be several weeks.
Are they any good? do they work well?
In a word: no. Even in decent sunshine mine wouldn't keep the Chim battery topped up. Are they any good? do they work well?
Alexdaredevilz said:
Some Audi rs6's has a trickle charger built in the sun roof,
Maybe you should write to Audi and tell them it doesn't work
What on earth are you on about? The OP wanted to hear experiences, I posted mine. Whether or not it works on an RS6 is neither here nor there. Maybe you should write to Audi and tell them it doesn't work
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