information regarding car batteries not used for many months

basheer



Joined: 22/12/2008
Posts: 949

Message Posted:
02/04/2011 12:57

hi, the last time I was there i had to buy a new battery as the car had been parked for about 4-5 months and not used,and had to replace the battery so just wondered if the battery was discconected and left indoors and charged when I arrived back and then put it back in the car would that retain the battery life,or is the only other option to start the car once a week as my neighbour is presently doing in my absence to prevent the battery from dying I wonder what everyone else does when they park their car for some months unused?

any reason a battery should cease to work if not charged,in the car show room or garages their new stock of batteries seem always charged no matter how long they been standing on their shelves thanks

rigsby


Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 912

Message Posted:
02/04/2011 13:40

Basheer,If you disconnected the battery when you park the car up for long periods if the battery is any good it will have full power on your return.Some alarm systems drain the battery.

bigbadbob


Joined: 04/08/2010
Posts: 368

Message Posted:
02/04/2011 13:49

Hi my advice is ro disconnect the battery.Starting the car once a week is no good for the car as a whole unless you give it a proper run because the exhaust and catalyser will have condensation from the exhaust vapours and this will shorten the life of the exhaust.Also overinflate the tyres by a few pounds as this will help flatspotting of the tyres and finally park the car with it in gear with the handbrake off as this will help prevent the brakes sticking on particularly during the wet winters.

bigbadbob


Joined: 04/08/2010
Posts: 368

Message Posted:
02/04/2011 13:54

Msg 2 is correct people do not realise how Alarms do drain a battery.

wanderer


Joined: 05/02/2009
Posts: 1653

Message Posted:
02/04/2011 14:04

A car battery will last for 3 months if in good condition over that run the engine for 5 minutes alternators put a good charge in the battery for another 2 months .The clock in the car drains the battery as well

2009/10 5 months flat battery JULY TO SEPT battery ok 2010/11 started in Feb in the middle of the 5 months ok

Yes inflate the tyres as well

Johnatcastle


Joined: 23/07/2009
Posts: 163

Message Posted:
02/04/2011 14:35

This is what you need. Then you don't have to worry...

http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=139116&Referrer=froogle



John.

laptarunner



Joined: 02/11/2009
Posts: 217

Message Posted:
02/04/2011 15:08

I had the same experiance with a dead battery, also fuel filter became blocked, had to have that replaced. Althought filter was the orginal and 8 years old.



Thanks Johnatcastle, was going to buy a trickle charger, but jumpy about leaving power on in house. Your suggestion solves that.

basheer



Joined: 22/12/2008
Posts: 949

Message Posted:
02/04/2011 16:15

thanks very useful tips from all of you

inflate the tyres

disconnect the battery or if connected do not use the alarm but the key only

leave the car in gear and hand brake off

the solar charger looks good -could you leave the solar charger on the dash board and link the cables to the battery through the window left slightly open and the bonnet also loosely ajar?

Zeytin


Joined: 21/08/2009
Posts: 16

Message Posted:
03/04/2011 11:51

I agree with John , I purchased a solar charger from Maplin last year , just plug it into the cigarette lighter and let the Cypriot sun do its work . Came back recently after 6 months away , the car started first turn of the key , brilliant .

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
03/04/2011 12:01

If the car is Manual... Jam the clutch pedal half way down with a piece of timber....This will partially release the pressure on the drive plate and stop it sticking to the flywheel............

basheer



Joined: 22/12/2008
Posts: 949

Message Posted:
03/04/2011 13:00

mess 9 what method did you use to connect the battery to the lighter, the wire connection that is?

did you leave the window ajar and bonnet ajar to let the wire through?and did you rest the solar panal on the dash board?

Johnatcastle


Joined: 23/07/2009
Posts: 163

Message Posted:
03/04/2011 20:41

Hi Basheer, no you just plug it in to the cigarette lighter socket. No need to leave windows open.

Lemon squeezy....

basheer



Joined: 22/12/2008
Posts: 949

Message Posted:
03/04/2011 22:07

thanks John just bought one

laptarunner



Joined: 02/11/2009
Posts: 217

Message Posted:
04/04/2011 14:14

Me too, John you should be on a % .