Battery life

[davem]

I know this has been discussed before but anyone know how long the charge in a battery on a Griff lasts if it isn't used? I have been told that if you only use it at weekends at most, you should leave it on trickle charge. Is this right?

DaveM

[BogBeast]

Any more than 10 days inactivity and my battery would be too flat to start (old and new battery..). I have a trick charger in the boot that gets plugged in evrytime I put it in the garage.

[pebbledash]

mine sits on the drive most of the week getting used mainly at the weekends, the battery lasts for about two weeks if its not used..

its an good reason to take it for a Blat once in a while

[simpo two]

Very dependent on temperature too, what with chemical reactions doubling in rate every 10 deg C. Expect them to fail as soon as temp drops below freezing. IMHO a conditioner is a must if it's a weekend car.

[k5orb]

My griff is the same year and engine size as yours and is good for about 7 days then it tends to stuggle if not left on trickle charge even with a new battery.I have checked it out and there is no other drain on the battery apart from the alarm and immobiliser.

Pete

[tig]

I think my Griffs battery is well and truly shot. Any tips on best quality and dirt cheap replacements ?

[davem]

Thanks chaps. Glad I'm not the only one!

DaveM

[Edt]

I can strongly recommend a battery kill switch. Had one fitted when I got the 500.. 4 years 2 months later the battery is still fine (plus it wasnt new when I got the car).

Obvioulsy the best thing is to drive it frequently, but on the odd occasion when I cant I remove the switch & it's done. Apparently radios drain power away even when off (possibly pub talk though)

REgards
Ed

[Edt]

I can strongly recommend a battery kill switch. Had one fitted when I got the 500.. 4 years 2 months later the battery is still fine (plus it wasnt new when I got the car).

Obvioulsy the best thing is to drive it frequently, but on the odd occasion when I cant I remove the switch & it's done. Apparently radios drain power away even when off (possibly pub talk though)

REgards
Ed

[adamc]

I've gone through 5 or 6 batteries in 3 cars in recent times. 4 were Odessy race batteries and were supposed to be 'deep cycle' but when they ran flat, that was it. I even had one refused for warranty.

Not getting enough driving time, obviously.

Oh, and the Tracker alarm (might be different to the Tracker in the UK) destroyed multiple batteries in my Elise until I had it removed.

It even ran the battery so flat that I had to get the Lotus techs out to reprogram the factory alarm as it had developed amnesia. Twice