Airport parking + TVR battery = Post-hol blues?

[Rich25]

Need advice please lads and lasses. Going on holiday for two weeks and was going to drive to airport as this is by far the most convenient way of getting there for me.

I am a bit scared about leaving the car ('99 Cerb) for this long as I have heard bad things about the car being inactive.

I have upgraded the battery previously - I currently run an Optima yellow top, which is just about the strongest power source available.

Is there anything I can do to reduce power usage whuile the car is parked?! What do you guys think the chances of a flatty are upon return? Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[crazycats]

Regularly have to leave mine for 3-4 weeks at a time, have never had a problem

If you're worried, then maybe one of these?

[Extra 300 Driver]

Which Airport?

[J_S_G]

Simplest way of ensuring no problems: stick a spare battery in the boot, and tape the appropriate tool for "secret entry" under the chassis of the car for when you get back (as customs wouldn't be too happy about it. Especially cheap 'n' cheerful if you've still got your old battery. Oh, but don't forget to un-tape the "required tool" before driving off when you realise that the battery still has plenty of charge left in it.

Personally had no problems leaving mine for a couple of weeks at Gatwick (just make sure it's had a good thrash and is fully charged first).

[Rich25]

Gatwick airport. Would have quite a good run down, as it is about 1.5 hours drive from home.

[ian-raw]

Have a look at maplin.co.uk - code N44AJ

The solar battery maintainer will replenish your 12V battery by sending a constant maintenance level charge to the battery or your vehicle. Available with 1W and 1.8W power rating £14.99

I have seen these before but do not know anyone who uses one. Worth a look though.

Ian

[longbow]

I left mine at Heathrow for two weeks over Xmas, started first time on return. I know a lot of people say its dodgy, but if your electrical system is working normally, two weeks really shouldn't be a problem. However, for peace of mind leave the bonnet unlocked - that way even if it does go, its a 2 minute job, as all main airport car parks have charging packs for this sort of thing!!

[PHØENIX]

You could always sneak under an old car and t-junction some power wires to your beast to start her up....

I was pushed to that once in a deserted car park keep some tape and some wires handy.... and be careful, some wires just melt on the load be nice and tape the said cars wires back up properly! be careful though, some have alarms that go off on load...

[LeoZwalf]

At the risk of sounding dumb here... Can't you just disconnect the battery while you're away?

[Extra 300 Driver]

Bummer, if it was Stansted I could have sorted something for you.

14 days you should be fine. Make sure you know the secret way in and keep some jump leads in the boot. If the worst happens you can ponce a jump start.

[Rich25]

Was thinking about it, but does that solve the situation? I would also have to carry the tools for removing the apron above the battery with me on holiday and I am highly likely to lose them. Also if it is as effective to disconnect the battery, do you remove both terminal connectors, or just one?

[LeoZwalf]

Just remove the Negative lead, that'll do the trick

[J_S_G]

Rich25 said:

Gatwick airport. Would have quite a good run down, as it is about 1.5 hours drive from home.

1.5 hours from Essex? You big jessie... you don't deserve a Cerb! I managed just over 2 hours from Huddersfield to Corby to Gatwick. (4am sprints are great )

[J_S_G]

ian-raw said:

Have a look at maplin.co.uk - code N44AJ The solar battery maintainer will replenish your 12V battery by sending a constant maintenance level charge to the battery or your vehicle. Available with 1W and 1.8W power rating £14.99 I have seen these before but do not know anyone who uses one. Worth a look though. Ian

Thought they were so p*ss poor that they flatten the Cerb's battery? Heard at least one story of that, anyway.

[J_S_G]

Rich25 said:

Was thinking about it, but does that solve the situation? I would also have to carry the tools for removing the apron above the battery with me on holiday and I am highly likely to lose them. Also if it is as effective to disconnect the battery, do you remove both terminal connectors, or just one?

Or you could just leave all of the tools in the boot, apart from your "secret tool".

[Rich25]

Cheers guys,

Looks like Im carrying spanners, screwdrivers and needle-nose pliers around with me on holiday, and arriving back hoping that my solar panel has done the job!

Im actually going to go to Holborn Maplins at lunchtime and have a look at that solar charger. Its only £15, which suggests TVR build quality anyway.

[J_S_G]

Rich25 said:

Cheers guys, Looks like Im carrying spanners, screwdrivers and needle-nose pliers around with me on holiday, and arriving back hoping that my solar panel has done the job! Im actually going to go to Holborn Maplins at lunchtime and have a look at that solar charger. Its only £15, which suggests TVR build quality anyway.

I'd really not attach the solar charger. Really.

[nervous]

i have a solar charger on my 40 year old land rover v8 cos it doesn't get used that often. works a treat, even in low light it returns upwards of 9v. and my landy is such a big bucket that before its battery would deplete itself after about three days (despite no noticeable drain on the battery). the solar chargers worth a pop at 17 quid, reckon it would sit nicely in that bizarre recess shelf thing on the back of the cerb, plenty of access to light too. got mine from ebay, arrived the next day. also have one on a boat which only gets turned over about once a month. works everytime now.

if it helps, i recently left my cerb unstarted for 3 weeks whist i was working in Italy, started first time when i got back. yiiiiiiiiiippppppppppppeeeeeeeeee

[Rich25]

Cheers again guys, didnt realise this would be such a contentious issue!

[nervous]

for what its worth, bloody JS is nearly always right. git. he probably knows about attaching one to a Tiv, mines only ever been on the truck and the boat.

feel free to punch him and call him smart arse if you wish. what the hell, have one on me.

best wishes,
n.