Battery disconnection
Discussion
Forgive me if I have asked this before, does anyone know if the battery can be completely disconnected without damage to any of the systems or ECU? As the systems all depend so much on power, even when parked up, the battery needs trickle charging when stored for more than a few days, so disconnecting with a battery disconnection switch, would seem to be a good answer.
Has anyone done this? If so what are the downsides?
Has anyone done this? If so what are the downsides?
Replaced my lead acid EOM battery with a LiFePo battery about a year ago. Totally disconnected for perhaps 15 mins during the exercise. No problems when re-connected.
Also, have SORN'd my car for 3-4 months over the winter and never needed to put it on a trickle charger (although I've had one available). Both lead acid and LiFePo batteries left for up to 4 weeks unused on occasion, but connected, and always started first time. No problem.
I tend to run the car for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 weeks when SORN'd over the winter to check that everything is okay but also have a SoC monitor attached which I can check via a bluetooth connected app. LiFePo battery has been faultless in 12 months to date.
If you can't leave the car for more than a few days without the battery being a problem, may be worth getting it looked at?
Also, have SORN'd my car for 3-4 months over the winter and never needed to put it on a trickle charger (although I've had one available). Both lead acid and LiFePo batteries left for up to 4 weeks unused on occasion, but connected, and always started first time. No problem.
I tend to run the car for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 weeks when SORN'd over the winter to check that everything is okay but also have a SoC monitor attached which I can check via a bluetooth connected app. LiFePo battery has been faultless in 12 months to date.
If you can't leave the car for more than a few days without the battery being a problem, may be worth getting it looked at?
No, it will certainly last for 2-3 weeks, but I know it is good practice to put it onto a Ctek or similar after that length of time, by disconnecting completely, there will be absolutely no battery drain (or alarm system in use) and whilst all batteries will degrade over time, they should not lose much power over several months when disconnected.
Put my Alpine in winter storage 3 weeks ago. Yesterday I connected the trickle charger for the 1st time and the remaining battery power has already dropped down to 12.1 V. That is enough to start the engine, but it is too low to ensure a healthy battery. Below 12.4 V a lead battery builds sulfation, what leads to premature wear. Long story short, it is necessary to put it on a trickle charger at least every 2 weeks.
To get back to the initial question. With a modern car you can catch a lot of gremlins when the battery is disconnected for a couple of days. The A110 sits somewhere in between, as it doesn't have the typical gimmicks of a modern car. The ECU would be my most concern.
To get back to the initial question. With a modern car you can catch a lot of gremlins when the battery is disconnected for a couple of days. The A110 sits somewhere in between, as it doesn't have the typical gimmicks of a modern car. The ECU would be my most concern.
Lithium battery and deleting the battery condition monitor has stopped me worrying about this altogether.
Battery is fully charged in minutes after starting. After a journey, after 10 minutes of the fans running, it has ~85% charge which is ideal for long term health. Parasitic loss is ~1% per day.
Battery is fully charged in minutes after starting. After a journey, after 10 minutes of the fans running, it has ~85% charge which is ideal for long term health. Parasitic loss is ~1% per day.
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