Question on storing car?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 731
Likes: 26
From: Austin TX
Question on storing car?
I'll be working out of the country for two months. Can I just disconnect the battery without any problems? I've heard that the radio may have a problem with the thief code.
Are there any other concerns with disconnecting the battery?
Thanks in advance
Are there any other concerns with disconnecting the battery?
Thanks in advance
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 105
From: Dearborn Heights Michigan
Why not just get a Battery Tender. Is what I did when out of country for a year. Disconnecting bat will require a code to reset the radio. You should have the code or ask the Dealer. No other probs.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: Catawissa Pa
Question on storing car
I had a battery tender on my C4, five weeks ago my garage burned to the ground. The fire marshall is 99.9% sure the fire started in the battery compartment of the Corvette. I lost the Corvette, A Chrysler Sebring convertable, A Silverado pick-up, and A restored 1967 Pontiac Firebird 400. My JD backhoe and a Honda four wheeler. Not to mention the garage and all it`s contents. I just bought a 2000 FRC to replace the C4, the Firebird is not replaceable as I have owned it since 1972. I will never use a battery tender in a car again! We must all make that call for ourselves. The electrical engineer that inspected the fire scene said there wasn`t enough of the battery tender left to prove it started the fire, so there is a .01 % chance that it didn`t. The cause was offically listed as unknown. I own several solar chargers that I continue to use on my lawn mowers, that may be a solution to your storage problem.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 380
Likes: 1
From: Janesville Wisconsin
Just leave it, its only 2 monthes not 2 years. My cars sit for 3-4 monthes in winter and start right up in spring.
If your battery is dead then it was bad to begin with and better to die there than leave you stranded somewhere.
If your battery is dead then it was bad to begin with and better to die there than leave you stranded somewhere.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: Catawissa Pa
I will not post the manufacture`s name, as there was no conclusive evidence the float charger caused the fire. However, I paid $7.50 for the float charger from a mail order catalog. Seemed like a good deal at the time.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Disconnect the battery. My Battery Tender blew as well, didn't start a fire and I was lucky. Completely shorted out internally. Smelt like burnt electronics. I have heard of one other having a fire from the Tender as well.
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 731
Likes: 26
From: Austin TX
Lots of good info
Yes, I would not trust a battery tender either. If someone was home and could check it occassionally, I would us it. I live in a condo and could burn down the whole complex.
I may just leave it alone and get a jump when I get back.
Thanks for all your help.
I may just leave it alone and get a jump when I get back.
Thanks for all your help.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 682
Likes: 0
From: Calgary Alberta
If you're not going to use a tender, just remove the battery. Give it a 24 slow charge (2 amps) when you get back and re-install it. My biggest concern would be a leak while it was unattended. I use a tender while my toy is Winter stored, but I check it at least once a week, and weep because I can't drive it. Search the Forum if you have a radio password problem.