Keeping the battery charged whilst not using

[dukemasterpro]

Hey guys, not been recommended to drive the car before trade in due to ABS fault.
Realise turning over the car daily won't put much back in and my Traxide kit and DBS is getting pulled out before trading though the main battery still was too flat today after a week off the road. Had to jump start today off a hire car! The traxide was at 11.5, main was 5v. After 30 mins both back up to 12.7.
Any suggestions other than driving it to keep charged till the 20th? I don't own any battery charging equipment yet nor have an idea of what's what with that.
Many thanks ( again! )

[Epic pooh]

Two options that spring to mind:

a) disconnect the battery when not in use, reconnect when you want to use the car, hope for the best, or

b) buy a suitable charger (such as a CTEK MXS5.0 - about a hundred bucks) and leave it connected when the vehicle is not in use,

[dukemasterpro]

Maybe option b - sounds like a plan then.

[~Rich~]

Heh Duke read this thread:

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/...2s-socket.html

Works well for me.

[AndyG]

And the ctek has a recondition option, it may breath in some life.

[Don 130]

Solar battery charger. Mount it outside your shed where it can see the sun, or if you've got skylight in the shed roof, hang it under that. I don't know where you are, but someone like this bloke in Sydney, can make you one to do what you want for a reasonable sum.
( I have no connection with this mob)
Don.

[dukemasterpro]

And the ctek has a recondition option, it may breath in some life.

So all I need for the ctek is a power socket nearby the garage ( tick ), connect it to the main battery close the bonnet and lock the car then bobs your uncle?

[Epic pooh]

I wouldn't close the bonnet personally but yes that's about the size of it. If you are going to close the bonnet you must ensure that the leads don't get crushed, come off or otherwise short on some surface. If you're going to close the bonnet suggest you use the eyelets rather than the alligator clips.

[trevorj]

Better to connect the ctek via comfort fitting and dedicated plug to the D4 white trailer socket. Vehicle can stay locked/alarmed; dont need to open any doors, bonnet etc. I made my own connection of comfort and trailer plug (wiring diagram is here somewhere), and now can easily connect ctek, and solar when camped for more than a couple of days. Dont have a camper to connect, but I guess that would be hooked via the other plug. Anyway, I keep optima and crank batteries floated up with the ctek at home (traxide equipped); and with a $10 LED voltmeter left plugged into the console cig plug - now - stress free and very happy campers. We just finished 12,000 km 6 weeks cross continent camping circuit - not a single glitch; running 50L fridge, camp lighting, air compressor, etc.

[dukemasterpro]

Ordered a ctek today $90 posted, will look into the wiring for the rear socket later. Should be a handy thing to have, only got 2 years out of a genuine battery before and current non genuine battery is months old but still running down quick.