CGW Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 1 hour ago, Lacessit said: My experience is that cold is more detrimental to batteries than hot. Savour that experience - it is unique to you ???? fact is they don't like heat for a lot of reasons ???? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lacessit Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 1 minute ago, CGW said: Savour that experience - it is unique to you ???? fact is they don't like heat for a lot of reasons ???? Not unique at all, if you want to consult RACV callouts for flat batteries in a Melbourne winter. More like an epidemic. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeycu Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 6 minutes ago, Lacessit said: Not unique at all, if you want to consult RACV callouts for flat batteries in a Melbourne winter. More like an epidemic. This aint Melbourne, here you cook the battery. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lacessit Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 1 minute ago, monkeycu said: This aint Melbourne, here you cook the battery. You may be right. My experience is batteries here last 5 -6 years. Lucky to get 4 in Melbourne. I do take the precaution here of opening the bonnet for about an hour at home after a run. That's when the temperature inside the engine bay is at its maximum. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holy cow cm Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 If worried disconnect the neg side and wrap it in a rag. Or else just go buy some jumper cables incase to have and ask a neighbor or someone for a jump. That is really my answer as is easiest. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thailand49 Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 Two months just disconnect the positive I do it all the time never have a problem. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_smith237 Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 1 minute ago, thailand49 said: Two months just disconnect the positive I do it all the time never have a problem. Depends what car you have... Others have already outlined that it could interfere with the electronics / immobilization.... The best option for the Op and the integrity of his car and battery is to utilize a battery tender - something designed for the job such as the C-TEK model already posted in this thread. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_smith237 Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, Lacessit said: Not unique at all, if you want to consult RACV callouts for flat batteries in a Melbourne winter. More like an epidemic. Temperature extremes are not ideal for your battery, both hot and cold weather impacts the longevity and effectiveness of your battery. In Thailand, there is no cold weather extreme to impact the battery performance. Batteries in Thailand are impacted only by the heat... (Unless the car is parked on the Top of Doi Suthep during a cold spell !). Edited May 21, 2019 by richard_smith237 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGW Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 2 hours ago, Lacessit said: RACV callouts for flat batteries in a Melbourne winter. There's a big difference between flat and Knackered, heat speeds up the chemical reaction & totals them, they wont hold charge due to sulphation, higher end cars tend to go to the trouble of fitting battery in a cooler place to help with this recognised fact. If I don't keep trickle chargers on lawn mower battery, bike battery & Generator they wont last a year as none of them are run very often, found that out the hard way - on more than one occasion! _ Yes - I'm a slow learner! ???? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Kentwants2run Posted May 21, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted May 21, 2019 As mentioned above, just disconnect the battery leads and your battery will be ready when you return. I've done this for 6-months plus on numerous occasions with no problems. Never had an issue with any computer settings (although I had to reset the clock). If you pull the battery (which is unnecessary), DO NOT put it on concrete as it will never charge again. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gk10002000 Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 (edited) I had a battery kill switch on my 1997 Buick for the last dozen years I owned it. I had a 2 amp power drain that I just could not isolate, and I tried every fuse, circuit breaker, relay, etc. It is easy to install right at the battery between the battery terminal and the cable. Very inexpensive. It lasted 11 years and then it got a bit quirky so I replaced it with another. There are many versions out there. I bought mine at Autozone in the USA as I recall, but they are all over the internet. In case the local auto stores don't carry it, you can find similar ones at boat and marine stores. Oh and once I am pretty sure that once it confused and confounded some would be car thieves. It comes with two big hard plastic keys (one is a spare), the other I kept on my key chain. https://www.delcity.net/store/Master-Battery-Switch/p_4872.h_106787.r_IF3003?mkwid=xGY2xcK6&crid=11472933143&msclkid=1d58cc3c726a1f77988490d857e7d066&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping - PLA's(BSC)&utm_term=4577198188279710&utm_content=Ad group %231 Edited May 21, 2019 by gk10002000 add 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaanbiker Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 Charge the battery fully before you leave and then disconnect the minus pole. ( Then you can't make a short with your tool) Plenty of juice left when you come back. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaanbiker Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 33 minutes ago, gk10002000 said: I had a battery kill switch on my 1997 Buick for the last dozen years I owned it. I had a 2 amp power drain that I just could not isolate, and I tried every fuse, circuit breaker, relay, etc. It is easy to install right at the battery between the battery terminal and the cable. Very inexpensive. It lasted 11 years and then it got a bit quirky so I replaced it with another. There are many versions out there. I bought mine at Autozone in the USA as I recall, but they are all over the internet. In case the local auto stores don't carry it, you can find similar ones at boat and marine stores. Oh and once I am pretty sure that once it confused and confounded some would be car thieves. It comes with two big hard plastic keys (one is a spare), the other I kept on my key chain. https://www.delcity.net/store/Master-Battery-Switch/p_4872.h_106787.r_IF3003?mkwid=xGY2xcK6&crid=11472933143&msclkid=1d58cc3c726a1f77988490d857e7d066&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping - PLA's(BSC)&utm_term=4577198188279710&utm_content=Ad group %231 It's nonsense to offer such a piece of advice. I didn't read that the OP's losing power somewhere. Why would you buy and install such a thing if it's not needed? Just switch an Amperemeter between plus at the battery and a volt/amperemeter and you will find what's draining the battery. An easy trick to take out one fuse after the other. Sometimes the glove box light stays on and drains enough to empty your battery in a few days. Electric is tricky, right? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrendaMY Posted May 21, 2019 Author Share Posted May 21, 2019 Thank you guys so much for all the advice above! Looks like simply disconnecting the negative pole is quite easy and feasible, I think I'll just go with it. Also trickle charger is really a good gadget that I didn't know before, although I may feel more relaxed rather have everything unplugged/powered off while I'm away for a long time, maybe I'll get one of those anyway someday in case of need. Thanks again, all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gk10002000 Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 55 minutes ago, Isaanbiker said: It's nonsense to offer such a piece of advice. I didn't read that the OP's losing power somewhere. Why would you buy and install such a thing if it's not needed? Just switch an Amperemeter between plus at the battery and a volt/amperemeter and you will find what's draining the battery. An easy trick to take out one fuse after the other. Sometimes the glove box light stays on and drains enough to empty your battery in a few days. Electric is tricky, right? If you can read with understanding I did say I tried to isolate the drain but could not. As far as not reading that the OP's losing power somewhere, well, t is a reasonable assumption that the battery/electrical system of the OP may have a drain some where, especially on an older care. Wiring harnesses do degrade, get nicked, etc. Instead of trying to isolate and find some little light, or switch that is stuck, and spend time doing that in the hot and humid weather, a five minute catch and eliminate all solution is to install the battery kill/disconnect switch. There are many many places a small short could exist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puwa Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 9 hours ago, jkcjag said: I'm curious as to why you remove the battery. If left installed it is not drawing any current, so no different Correct. I remove the battery as a theft deterrent. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemises Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 Give the car a good run just before you go and disconnect the negative terminal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brokenbone Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 9 hours ago, Lacessit said: My experience is that cold is more detrimental to batteries than hot. its the humidity here, my mechanic asked the battery company why in europe a battery would last 5 years straight, but in thailand 1 year does it in, the reason was the humidity creates a creep connect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGW Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 6 hours ago, brokenbone said: the reason was the humidity creates a creep connect Was your "mechanic" Thai? - humidity has nothing to do with it! - slight misunderstanding - the plates in the battery are submerged in "acid" humidity has no effect, heat does, when it is charged all is well, when it is not charging the lead breaks down (sulphation) and shorts out to the next plate, the heat here amplifies this reaction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brokenbone Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 1 hour ago, CGW said: Was your "mechanic" Thai? - humidity has nothing to do with it! - slight misunderstanding - the plates in the battery are submerged in "acid" humidity has no effect, heat does, when it is charged all is well, when it is not charging the lead breaks down (sulphation) and shorts out to the next plate, the heat here amplifies this reaction. he meant a slight connection between the two poles output through condensation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGW Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 13 minutes ago, brokenbone said: he meant a slight connection between the two poles output through condensation I hope you smiled and corrected his misunderstanding? ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigC Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 On 5/21/2019 at 12:56 AM, SteveK said: You can buy one of those solar powered trickle chargers which just clips onto the battery terminals. I left one on for about 18 months when working abroad and it worked perfectly, car was not left in the sun but the small solar panel was left on the roof of the garage. In a car park you could leave the solar panel in the windscreen and park on the top level of the car park, or on an outer space which gets sunlight in the daytime. The other, much more expensive option, is to buy one of those portable jump starters, charge it up on the mains and leave it in the boot of your car. Where can you buy those solar chargers from cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaibeachlovers Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 (edited) On 5/21/2019 at 6:54 AM, Don Mega said: If the battery is flat after 2 months of sitting I'd be looking to find what is draining the battery, if there is a concern I'd disconnect the battery terminals. One should always disconnect the battery. Even the clock can run the battery down after long enough. I left my car for 15 months and the battery was fine after a recharge. Still using same battery after 8 months. Make sure you disconnect and re connect the battery terminals in the correct order, so you don't get a spark from the positive to the car body. If not removing battery from car, can just disconnect earth lead. If getting a friend to recharge battery occasionally, makes it easier if take battery out of car and give it to them, unless giving keys to get into garage ( if it is in one ). Edited May 22, 2019 by thaibeachlovers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaibeachlovers Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 12 hours ago, Nemises said: Give the car a good run just before you go and disconnect the negative terminal. Also helps to top the tank up to the very top. Stops condensation getting into the fuel. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brokenbone Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 3 hours ago, CGW said: I hope you smiled and corrected his misunderstanding? ???? well, that was the response from the battery company Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbezoz Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 On 5/20/2019 at 5:56 PM, SteveK said: You can buy one of those solar powered trickle chargers which just clips onto the battery terminals. I left one on for about 18 months when working abroad and it worked perfectly, car was not left in the sun but the small solar panel was left on the roof of the garage. In a car park you could leave the solar panel in the windscreen and park on the top level of the car park, or on an outer space which gets sunlight in the daytime. The other, much more expensive option, is to buy one of those portable jump starters, charge it up on the mains and leave it in the boot of your car. Years ago I too used a solar trickle charger. Worked perfectly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marius Brok Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 On 5/20/2019 at 8:54 PM, Don Mega said: If the battery is flat after 2 months of sitting I'd be looking to find what is draining the battery, if there is a concern I'd disconnect the battery terminals. Indeed. My car will start after 7 weeks when parked in temp. below zero on the airport home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Mega Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 10 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said: One should always disconnect the battery. Even the clock can run the battery down after long enough. I left my car for 15 months and the battery was fine after a recharge. Still using same battery after 8 months. Make sure you disconnect and re connect the battery terminals in the correct order, so you don't get a spark from the positive to the car body. If not removing battery from car, can just disconnect earth lead. If getting a friend to recharge battery occasionally, makes it easier if take battery out of car and give it to them, unless giving keys to get into garage ( if it is in one ). Absolutely, if the vehicle has an electrical drain then yes disconnect the battery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDPattaya Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 Lots of good ideas here. Bottom line most all new cars and motorcycle have a "parasitic drain" which is the current used when the system is idle (key off), part of this is clocks, computer memory, sound systems, security systems etc. Sound systems (head units and power amps) often us a trickle to keep capacitors charged so they do not make a pop noise when turning on and can be a substantial drain. System devices should have non volatile memory and or battery/ capacitor backup for short term battery disconnection. However they are all different and disconnecting the battery may cause some functional errors that need resetting most can be found in the manual and reset yourself. The newer the vehicle the more settings that can be affected. Typically a parasitic drain should be less than 50ma as a rule and the battery will last for a month or more. Some systems are much higher with added options and can drain the battery down in weeks. Bottom line I like the battery tender idea and install a plug extending outside from the battery to plug them in. As mentioned the CTEK is a very good one available local the model MXS 3.8 is a great one (up to 85ah batteries) which will do desulphation also which can extend the life of your battery even if you are not going away. If using regularly can tell you the battery is failing before actual failure as the new batteries can fail without warning. Always disconnect the negative post (grounded one) of the battery first for safety. When using your tool if it hits the frame or some part then no problem but if on the positive first this can be a disastrous short circuit. When installing reverse the process and install the positive fist. This is true unless you have an old positive ground vehicle which then is reversed procedure but always disconnect the grounded one first.. Older vehicles and some new ones removing the battery is not a problem, however its always a good idea to recharge it first before reinstalling. Often then its just as easy to keep it charged in the vehicle. periodic starting is not bad for long times but it needs to run for a while to get up to temperature and may not charge the battery. Always disconnect the charger before starting. Using a battery saver or backup power supply is not recommended as some do not supply enough voltage and or current and can cause damage unless you know your vehicle and the electrical system or one designed for your vehicle. Another thing to consider is gas stabilizer. In Thailand I have seen gasoline go to varnish within 1 month storage. Its easy to tell as it smells like varnish and will not start then it needs to be drained and sometimes the system cleaned out. To prevent this use gasoline stabilizer which is available local from Amsoil. Even then some of the fuel may varnish or gum up in the lines etc but after short running it should clean itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lantern Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 I have a couple of 2W solar panels. One is kept connected to my ride on mower. The other is connected to my car when I head for Thailand for a month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now