Disconnect battery for long term storage

[VK3GJM]

Hi All,

Just want to gauge some feedback about any known issues if I disconnect the main crank battery for 4-5 weeks while garaged?

I am reluctant to store with a good solar reg and panel in the event of electronics failure possibly resulting in a cooked or fully discharged battery.

[~Rich~]

4 - 5 weeks should be 100% ok to leave the battery connected.
Mind you using a cTek charger attached via the tow socket is also good for your battery.

[RobA]

We use a RedArc Smart Charger and leave it on all the time without any issues. Did that when away for 4 months recently on the wife's Mazda and it was fully charged and in perfect condition when we got back

Up to a month or so all I would do was ensure battery(s) were fully charged and conditioned just prior to leaving and then do nothing unless you have something like a Smart Charger. As well best to leave it unlocked, if secure, as if the battery is flat on return getting in to it will prove more than challenging

Rob

[Tombie]

Not necessary to leave it unlocked. Even if locked in a building leaving the vehicle unlocked can void insurance... (has happened where a vehicle was stolen from inside a garage in Perth a while back)

If you get home and can't unlock it - Get key out of fob, open passengers door...
Pop bonnet and fit Charger.

Or...

Make up 12S lead and fit Charger upon coming home.

[scarry]

Also while the vehicle is locked,there is less drain on the battery.

Unlocked,it is not fully 'asleep'.

In fact the guy at LR told me to double click the remote,then the vehicle will use the least battery power.

I would just leave it double locked,to many things to go wrong if left on charge,and one thing less to worry about.

I do know of a case where one of my brothers left a battery on charge while he was on a short holiday and when he came back the charger had changed modes,and damaged the battery.
The cause was probably the mains power going off for a while, or a mains power voltage spike.

[wbowner]

I leave mine connected to a ctek charger plugged into a 7 day timer

I kick the charging off Saturday and Sunday

I can't leave mine for over a week without charge else I get the low battery warning

I lock the car with the bonnet up by pushing down the catch for the bonnet on the drivers side with a screwdriver driver

It works ok

Alternatively I charge via white plug at back

I have a traxide battery system.

Richard

[DiscoMick]

Our camper trailer has a built in smart charger and it is left plugged in all the time when at home with no problems, even when we went overseas for a month. We had a power surge which tripped the solar power to the house, but the camper charger was unaffected.
For the Defender I just leave a 15 watt solar panel plugged in when parked at home and it is all good.
I'm told that batteries with a charge happening do not build up as much sulphur on the plates so the batteries last longer if they are regularly 'excited', but no doubt an expert on electrickery will be along to confirm if that is correct.

Sent from my SM-G900I using AULRO mobile app

[Tombie]

I leave mine connected to a ctek charger plugged into a 7 day timer



I kick the charging off Saturday and Sunday



I can't leave mine for over a week without charge else I get the low battery warning



I lock the car with the bonnet up by pushing down the catch for the bonnet on the drivers side with a screwdriver driver



It works ok



Alternatively I charge via white plug at back



I have a traxide battery system.



Richard

What have you got drawing on that thing to kill a battery in a week?

[drivesafe]

Hi Gerald, while it is highly unlikely that a solar reg would play, you can still be protected, in part!

You can leave you disco locked up and connect the solar regulated power supply to the Anderson plug at the rear bumper.

Should the solar reg go over voltage, your USI-160 will operating in reverse and shutdown if an over voltage event occurs. Thus protecting your cranking battery.