Battery advice

[Harry Flashman]

The car has an alarm and immobiliser, both necessary as it is to be parked outdoors. Tim used the car every day before I bought it, thus keeping the battery charged. However, I will give it a run about once a week - so can I expect the alarm and immobiliser to kill the battery every week?

I expect that this is the case, and this is hassle - are there any recommended battery upgrades for this? Any of you lot also use the car rarely, but have an alarm - if so, what have you done?

[WildfireS3]

Don't think so. I've left mine since Christmas Eve and it started fine with the CAT 1 alarm/immobiliser on it.

[Podie]

I left my S for nearly four weeks once (knee operation)… started first time when I got back..

Cold snaps tend to kill batteries… might be worth making sure you have a battery charger or something. Best advice is to make sure that it gets a decent run up to temperature once a week.

[Pies]

At least yours is under the bonnet

[Harry Flashman]

Thanks chaps - much appreciated. Shall keep a battery booster in my flat I think. Wildfire - I have a Toad Cat 1 alarm and immobiliser, so am hoping my experiences will be like yours...

Pies - understand your pain. Have just had a tale of woe from a Chimaera owning friend with a flat battery.

>> Edited by Harry Flashman on Tuesday 4th January 15:44

[Harry Flashman]

Another thing - the car only appears to charge the battery at above about 2000rpm; is this normal, or will I need to fix/replace something?

[Podie]

When you start the car, blip the throttle to 2000rpm so the battery light goes out… don't worry about it… this is quite normal.

[KentishS2]

Harry Flashman said:

Thanks chaps - much appreciated. Shall keep a battery booster in my flat I think. Wildfire - I have a Toad Cat 1 alarm and immobiliser, so am hoping my experiences will be like yours... Pies - understand your pain. Have just had a tale of woe from a Chimaera owning friend with a flat battery. >> Edited by Harry Flashman on Tuesday 4th January 15:44

Hi H,

I have a TOAD Cat1 jobbie in mine too and I hadn't driven the car for about 7 or 8 weeks and the battery was OK when I started her up the other day.

Current drain is very low on most good security devices.

[esmyth]

I regularly have this problem with my cars as I do not use them on a daily basis - some batteries are accessible like the TVR others not so (MR2) springs to mind.

Anyway seen a neat solution over Xmas - solar battery charger - it just plugs into the cigarette lighter - providing it has permanaent earth and can be left on the dashboard to top up the battery.
It will not recharge a completely flat batttery but will keep an alarm and immobilizer unit working for several weeks. Several types around - cost about £20 - hope this helps.

[KentishS2]

esmyth said:

I regularly have this problem with my cars as I do not use them on a daily basis - some batteries are accessible like the TVR others not so (MR2) springs to mind. Anyway seen a neat solution over Xmas - solar battery charger - it just plugs into the cigarette lighter - providing it has permanaent earth and can be left on the dashboard to top up the battery. It will not recharge a completely flat batttery but will keep an alarm and immobilizer unit working for several weeks. Several types around - cost about £20 - hope this helps.

Mine's kept garaged

[doddze]

bought a new battery and stuck a halfwits trickle charger on it............. been fine.

[esmyth]

Mines garaged too - but I have a couple of skylights that let enough in to run the solar charger.

[Harry Flashman]

Solar charger would be a great idea, but my P&J will be living under a heavy duty car cover...