Dis-car-nect

Fuchs · 21 Dec 2005

ok chaps - i've not been using my 993 since early Nov and today i went to take it for it 2 weekly drive - roads are dry today - and yes you've guessed it - battery is flat.

I wil jump it over the weekend and drive a bit (if its not snowing) to re-charge it.

Then i'm thinking of fitting a dis-car-nect. It fits onto the battery and you remove a knob and it cuts the power to the battery - easy fitting etc and it seems to be the answer. It means of course that the clock stops etc and there will be no power to the alarm, but its in a secure garage so thats not an issue.

one question though - do batteries go flat by themselves? i.e if i disconnect the battery now (once its re-charged), in 3-4 weeks when i reconnect the battery will it still be charged. :?
Do batteries dis-charge themselves even if they are not powering anything?

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Simon Brewster · 21 Dec 2005

I would suggest a battery conditioner instead.

Pretty sure the cold weather can cause batteries a hard time, even if there's no current drain at all.

Try http://www.vertar.com/prodtype.asp?pt_id=110

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Ray · 21 Dec 2005

Warren

I had one of those already fitted to mine when I bought it, but I never use it.

The battery will discharge on its own over a period, but it is better if you can keep the battery charged.

I bought one of those maintainers like the ones that Phil sells (no I'm not on commision) 5 or 6 weeks ago and it works very well. I have only been taking it out on dry days every 2 to 3 weeks and you get an instant start as the battery is always fully charged.

I would suggest you look at one of those in IMHO.

Regards

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Robertb · 21 Dec 2005

Yep- get a charge-o-mat

It also says in the manual that you need to let the car run for a while to let the ECU sort itself out after the battery has been disconnected, which might remove some of the spontenaity from a quick scoot out around the block...

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Fuchs · 21 Dec 2005

i agree a battery conditioner a la Phil is perfect, but my office garage doesnt have any power..............

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Fuchs · 22 Dec 2005

so if i just leave the battery flat (as it is now), for a few more weeks while i cause any more problems?

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Rob J · 22 Dec 2005

I may be wrong but one thing I have found is that if you do leave the battery flat for too long, or repeatedly flatten it you will kill it. Don't think letting it go flat once will do much damage.

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Simon Brewster · 22 Dec 2005

If the battery is already dead flat then I don't see what harm you can do by leaving it a while longer.

But if you continually jump start it for a quick blast, then let it run dead flat again, I think you'll knacker the battery pretty quickly.

How often do you intend to drive it? Maybe you could take the battery out and leave it on charge at home. Then just pop it back in whenever you fancy a blast.

Not sure how feasible this is?

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Fuchs · 22 Dec 2005

Previous poster said:
Quote: Originally posted by Robert Bill on 21 December 2005

It also says in the manual that you need to let the car run for a while to let the ECU sort itself out after the battery has been disconnected, which might remove some of the spontenaity from a quick scoot out around the block...

Robert do you mean i need to let the car idle for 10 mins before i drive off or do you mean it needs 10 mins to reset,but this can occur whilst im driving it?

i'm easily confused these days...........

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Fuchs · 3 Jan 2006

BTW - reading my handbook it says that you can bump start - or tow start as its referred to in the book, providing the engine and cats are cold...................woth knowing

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