To alarm or not to alarm...?
Discussion
I am due to go away for three weeks and leave my beloved car. I am in a quandry about whether to leave the car with the alarm on and let the battery go flat or to leave it garaged without the alarm on. I don't have power in the garage so can't leave a charger on it. If i don't lock and immmobilise it i guess it isn't covered by my insurance should anything untoward happen. I could charge it up when i get home if flat or get the RAC out. Is the battery likely to go flat or should it be ok? I would be grateful for any suggestions. Cheers!
Defo leave the alarm on! (Otherwise your insurer may say the car is not covered in the event of a problem!)
If the car is kept in a garege, what about getting an 'Optimate' which will keep the battery in tip top shape? Plug that in and forget about it. Used one on cars and motorbikes, they are great!
You can get them from various places, but I'm pretty sure Leven sell them, I think "Halfrauds" do as well!!
Best of luck.
Cerby4.5
If the car is kept in a garege, what about getting an 'Optimate' which will keep the battery in tip top shape? Plug that in and forget about it. Used one on cars and motorbikes, they are great!
You can get them from various places, but I'm pretty sure Leven sell them, I think "Halfrauds" do as well!!
Best of luck.
Cerby4.5
Without mains power, none of these battery conditions are really an option though. I think your options are (1) disconnect the battery now and reconnect it when you get back, (2) leave it connected and hope it doesn't go flat, it probably will so plan ahead and work out how you're going to get into the car and recharge it - it'll damage the battery too so the battery will need replacing that much sooner. Personally, given that the car is going to end up without an alarm either way, I'd disconnect it to minimise the hassle when you get back. But if you want to let it go flat fair enough, just be prepared for the hassle afterwards.
Actually there's a third option: fit a Priority Start intelligent battery isolator and it will disconnect the battery before it is completely flat, reconnecting itself automatically next time you try to start the car. It's a fit and forget device that guarantees that you will always have enough juice to start the car no matter how often you leave the lights on or abandon it for weeks on end with the alarm on.
Actually there's a third option: fit a Priority Start intelligent battery isolator and it will disconnect the battery before it is completely flat, reconnecting itself automatically next time you try to start the car. It's a fit and forget device that guarantees that you will always have enough juice to start the car no matter how often you leave the lights on or abandon it for weeks on end with the alarm on.
Thanks for the replies guys. Trailing an extension lead is unfortunately out as the garage is across a main road from the house. If i disconnect the battery the alarm won't be active, would this invalidate my insurance? I guess only thems in the know know where the battery is on a Chim. But, would that wash with the insurers? I could ask them! Not keen on letting other people drive the car, although an option and i am a member of the TVRCC. I like green V8's idea of a priority start intelligent battery isolator. Any ideas where i can get one from and approximate cost. Many Thanks. Mike.
>> Edited by soufriere on Saturday 14th January 18:53
>> Edited by soufriere on Saturday 14th January 18:54
>> Edited by soufriere on Saturday 14th January 18:53
>> Edited by soufriere on Saturday 14th January 18:54
soufriere said:
I like green V8's idea of a priority start intelligent battery isolator. Any ideas where i can get one from and approximate cost. Many Thanks. Mike.
Google found this www.noflatbatteries.com/shop.htm
Though Peter (greenv8s) might know of another source.
What will happen when the intelligent battery isolator disconnects the battery whilst your still away?
If it were me,i'd buy another battery and connect this to the car as well, whilst you leave it.Also,i'd disconnect the stereo.With this amount of capacity you should be fine.Its also not a bad thing to have a fully charged battery in your powerless garage,sat waiting for you throughout the year.So when you come back from your holls,fully charge the spare and keep it topped up from time to time
.
>> Edited by mongoose on Saturday 14th January 20:09
If it were me,i'd buy another battery and connect this to the car as well, whilst you leave it.Also,i'd disconnect the stereo.With this amount of capacity you should be fine.Its also not a bad thing to have a fully charged battery in your powerless garage,sat waiting for you throughout the year.So when you come back from your holls,fully charge the spare and keep it topped up from time to time
. >> Edited by mongoose on Saturday 14th January 20:09
You are worried about the insurance. Thinking about this logically if you leave it for 3 weeks the battery is liable to go flat and so it will not be protected by the alarm anyway, but could be bump started. (I know it's possible because I've had to do it although not easy or advisable)
Lateral thinking: Why not remove the battery totally and ask a neighbour to keep an eye on the garage. If someone did intend to steal your P&J they would just have to happen to have a charged battery with them and have enough knowledge and space to be able to fit it.
Lateral thinking: Why not remove the battery totally and ask a neighbour to keep an eye on the garage. If someone did intend to steal your P&J they would just have to happen to have a charged battery with them and have enough knowledge and space to be able to fit it.
Or you could invest in a roadstart from sealey or such other (make sure you get the "trade" spec though). I have one of these and its invaluable - charges up in the house and its light and portable and uses dry cells. Also has a cigar socket on it so you can use it as a remote 12v power source when camping etc
GreenV8S said:
Actually there's a third option: fit a Priority Start intelligent battery isolator and it will disconnect the battery before it is completely flat, reconnecting itself automatically next time you try to start the car. It's a fit and forget device that guarantees that you will always have enough juice to start the car no matter how often you leave the lights on or abandon it for weeks on end with the alarm on.
Peter what happens if i left my car locked with, say, the lights still on. The unit will disconnct the battery as stated, but how do i get back into the car once i return? Presumably the alarm and central locking won't work and also the door opening solenoid won't operate.
If it is possible to get back in without using the secret method then I'll buy one.
Andy
The isolator reconnects when the load changes. For example if I unlock mine with the key and open the door then the load from the interior light is usually enough to reset the imobiliser. It doesn't *always* trigger and occasionally I get as far as switching the ignition on before it reconnects.
You would need to do some research to see whether the door switch is live while the alarm is switched off, and whether it draws enough current to trigger the isolator.
Your next option would be to get into the car by the obvious method and open the door from the inside. This might be acceptable if you don't expect the isolator to trip very often.
If that isn't viable then your final option is to wire the alarm/door release directly to the battery so it isn't isolated. You'd be protected from the 'lights on' scenario or ancilliaries flattening the battery, but if you left it for long enough the alarm could still flatten the battery.
It comes down to how often you expect the battery to go flat, and how much hassle you are willing to tolerate when it does.
You would need to do some research to see whether the door switch is live while the alarm is switched off, and whether it draws enough current to trigger the isolator.
Your next option would be to get into the car by the obvious method and open the door from the inside. This might be acceptable if you don't expect the isolator to trip very often.
If that isn't viable then your final option is to wire the alarm/door release directly to the battery so it isn't isolated. You'd be protected from the 'lights on' scenario or ancilliaries flattening the battery, but if you left it for long enough the alarm could still flatten the battery.
It comes down to how often you expect the battery to go flat, and how much hassle you are willing to tolerate when it does.
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