battery, what to when going away for 2-4 months?

bye_bye_alfa

bye_bye_alfa

Member
Hi All

I've succumbed to buy a motorhome recently, and we're planning on going away for 2-4 months. (I know lucky us).

What should I do with the A2 in this time?
It's sat on the drive at the moment. I doubt it will go 2 months without being driven will it??

Should I disconnect the battery, or will this b****r something else up when I return??

TIA

bba
 
If you can, run a mains cable out to the boot and put a trickle charger in there, then back it up to the garage door so nothing shows - I've done this with Angies Yaris before now.

Cheers,

Mike
 
It's your call but I got one of these and it fried Angies battery, putting out 17-18 volts.

I know it looks ideal, but I wouldn't have one - sorry!

Cheers,

Mike
 
blimey!

this one is only rated at 12v and 125mA... or are you saying it managed 17v even though it's only meant to be 12v.

Thanks anyway Mike
 
Mike,

If you put a VM across it in light and without connecting it to the battery, it will show a higher voltage because it's not doing anything useful but when connected to the battery it will charge at a few hundred milliamps. They do work and I doubt that they have sufficient output to damage a battery.

Regards

RAB
 
Pump the tyres up (much higher than normal 40 psi), park ingear, release the handbrake, vents closed and recirc selected.
 
Hi.
It should be no problem. After ~28 days, the little LED in the drivers door stops blinking and that saves energy. Then the car should not need any power from the battery.
 
RAB said:
Mike,

If you put a VM across it in light and without connecting it to the battery, it will show a higher voltage because it's not doing anything useful but when connected to the battery it will charge at a few hundred milliamps. They do work and I doubt that they have sufficient output to damage a battery.

Regards

RAB
Click to expand...

Oh, yes, I know. But this one was frying the battery, such that it suphated and we had to get another one! I think I got a duffer, but I can't recommend that particular one, as I've had a battery destroyed by it.

Cheers,

Mike
 
Mike,

There will be a diode inside the charger which prevents the solar charger becoming a hotplate powered by the battery! Failure of this will flatten the battery. Including a 1/2 amp fuse in the charger line should protect the battery if the diode fails.

Regards

RAB
 
Happy Holidays

Hi bye_bye_alfa,

My A2 didn't manage 10 days without the battery running low, but a very nice member of the airport car park staff came to my rescue with a huge set of jump leads attached to the front bumper of a 4x4 specially modified for the task. Getting into the car was a lark. The remote did not work and the key only opened the driver's door. The other doors would not open even from the inside. The rear hatch was opened using the toggle pull, but getting to it, was best done by a small, agile person (Wife).

You should also expect your discs to be bright orange with rust. I'm not sure how you can prevent this; you can hardly oil them!

Have a great trip. You will also need to set aside a couple of days, after you come back, to catch up on all the posts that have been added here...

John.
 
Do you have an alarm fitted to your car? I recently left my car in the garage for 22 days and it fired right up. No alarm fitted, which might be a factor.
 
Xiter said:
Do you have an alarm fitted to your car? I recently left my car in the garage for 22 days and it fired right up. No alarm fitted, which might be a factor.
Click to expand...

Hi Xiter,

As far as I know, all cars sold in the UK have an alarm.

My problem was caused by a combination of sub zero temperatures and a battery which is the original battery (2001). Car has been starting fine, once it is used every day, but a new battery is required.

I also still have the original battery in the key fob.:eek: I really should change it too...

John.
 
Storage

Suggest you put the car on axle stands and eitehr use trickle charger or disconnect battery.

If in a garage then get a de-hunidifier and run on low setting to help prevent corrosion of Ferrous bits like brake discs etc.

Put a breatheable cover over the bodywork and leave windows very slightly open (unless left outdoors).

Here are some other tips - some only relevant to older petrol cars:

http://www.viva-lancia.com/fulvia/qanda/various/storage.php
 
Oh and leave the handbrake OFF ! But either use blocks under tyres or jack up car onto stands to preserve tyres.
 
before i had put a new battery on my a2 the battery would only last 4 days before going flat sat on my drive, as i used scooter to go to work but not tryed how long it lasts now as i'm using it every day
 
Just one thing that might trip up anyone trying to charge their battery via the 12v socket. Not sure about the A2, but on some cars this is only live with the ignition on which would rule out charging in this way. I will check tonight!

RAB
 
False alarm! The socket is live with the ignition off.

RAB
 
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