Long term Battery Diconect?
04-17-2012, 06:42 AM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Long term Battery Diconect?
Sometimes I do not use my car for maybe 6-8 weeks. I disconnect the battery and then reconnect when I am back in town. Do you think this is ok or should I get a battery tender?
04-17-2012, 07:53 AM
#2
Either or both. One thing, I've never liked the idea of letting the car charge a near dead battery preferring instead to charge the battery off the car if it gets that low.
Another thing to consider is the long-term storage of gas that contains alcohol. I would do some research on the various stabilizers.
Another thing to consider is the long-term storage of gas that contains alcohol. I would do some research on the various stabilizers.
04-17-2012, 08:37 AM
#3
Race Director
6 to 8 weeks is nowhere near "long term" when it comes to any fuel containing Ethanol.
You'll be fine on fuel for that period.
For the battery, if you have a good battery now I would buy a battery maintainer.
Battery Tender is one brand name, and there are several others.
Be sure and note the difference between a trickle charger and battery maintainer.
You don't want to leave a trickle charger connected for any great length of time.
A Battery Tender (or similar device) is made to be left connected for months at a time.
I use them on both the Vette and Harley during long periods of sitting.
You'll be fine on fuel for that period.
For the battery, if you have a good battery now I would buy a battery maintainer.
Battery Tender is one brand name, and there are several others.
Be sure and note the difference between a trickle charger and battery maintainer.
You don't want to leave a trickle charger connected for any great length of time.
A Battery Tender (or similar device) is made to be left connected for months at a time.
I use them on both the Vette and Harley during long periods of sitting.
04-17-2012, 08:43 AM
#4
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Buy a battery tender and connect it when the car will not be used for more than a week or so. A disconnected battery will discharge regardless.
04-17-2012, 11:01 AM
#5
Team Owner
A good battery maintainer like the Deltran Battery Tender or the CTEK unit will work fine. Disconnecting the battery will cause things like radio station presets to be lost and the ECM will have to re-learn as you drive. The ECM will lose most all history error codes too.
A disconnected battery can lose a small percentage of charge over time but a fully charged battery simply sitting on a shelf for up to a year will have enough power to start a car.
Don't worry about gas; it will be fine. What you should do is to fill the tank when you stop driving it. A full tank of won't allow very much moisture to form in the tank. And when you're ready to drive the car again, you'll be ready for a long drive
A disconnected battery can lose a small percentage of charge over time but a fully charged battery simply sitting on a shelf for up to a year will have enough power to start a car.
Don't worry about gas; it will be fine. What you should do is to fill the tank when you stop driving it. A full tank of won't allow very much moisture to form in the tank. And when you're ready to drive the car again, you'll be ready for a long drive
04-17-2012, 11:33 AM
#6
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A good battery maintainer like the Deltran Battery Tender or the CTEK unit will work fine. Disconnecting the battery will cause things like radio station presets to be lost and the ECM will have to re-learn as you drive. The ECM will lose most all history error codes too.
A disconnected battery can lose a small percentage of charge over time but a fully charged battery simply sitting on a shelf for up to a year will have enough power to start a car.
Don't worry about gas; it will be fine. What you should do is to fill the tank when you stop driving it. A full tank of won't allow very much moisture to form in the tank. And when you're ready to drive the car again, you'll be ready for a long drive
A disconnected battery can lose a small percentage of charge over time but a fully charged battery simply sitting on a shelf for up to a year will have enough power to start a car.
Don't worry about gas; it will be fine. What you should do is to fill the tank when you stop driving it. A full tank of won't allow very much moisture to form in the tank. And when you're ready to drive the car again, you'll be ready for a long drive
04-17-2012, 12:33 PM
#7
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6-8 Weeks is nothing. Ive had Betty Boop parked up to three months and it started right up.
Ive had Betty Boop parked up to three months and it started right up.
04-18-2012, 09:34 AM
#8
Le Mans Master
...battery tender can't hurt, but you're not going to hurt the battery by letting it sit 6-8 weeks without a battery tender. Car only draws about 30mA of power which is nothing in terms of the watch the battery can supply.
