So I will be parking my car at the open air long term parking spot at Melbourne airport for about 12days.
i am just worried that the battery will self discharge with not enough juice to start it when i get back, should i disconnect the battery or get one of those solar trickle chargers from SCA?
thanks
You'll be fine man. Don't worry about it. Unless like Davo1111 has said and you have known battery issues.
I'd be more worried that the battery (and/or the car) will still be there, than it not starting…. Like the other two have said the battery will be fine.
Buy the solar charger.
You don't need it, but it will ease your mind and you will get a fuzzy feeling when your car starts when you return.
Saved me many times. I even keep the right sized spanner (and adjustable) in the car door pocket for the purpose. You never know if you will be delayed and so it is a good be prepared boy-scout/girl guide thing to do. Takes a minute of your time to save PITA upon your return of much more than your initial time investment.
You may need to enter a code in your car sound system if you do remove the battery. Don't forget to find it first.
Memory minders?
Most solar chargers seem to connect to the cigarette lighter socket, and with many cars, the lighter socket is disconnected when the ignition is switched off. The solar charger will do nothing in this case.
Just something to think about.
Resetting all your settings is a pain in the backside on a modern car. Leave it connected. If you do get a trickle charger, make sure the plug is an always on. Lots of modern cars will have one, often in the cargo section or rear. If you don't get a trickle charger, make sure you unplug stuff front eh ciggie socket in case it is always on type.
Cheaper to get roadside assistance for a year.
Or get one of those portable jumps tatters, minimum I won get is a 900
If the battery is healthy (good % of it's original CCA remaining) and you don't have any power drains in your car then it should be fine. That said, if you want to play it safe and are sure you won't have issues with stereo etc then just unplug the negative terminal and thats done.
I agree with PapaZombiesBoy ->Buy the solar charger. Maybe $30 and friends can use it later.
Anyway, the discharge rate of some cars is pretty high in modern cars. Examples: Calcium etc additive batteries discharge maybe over 18 months or so, but extensive electronics drain them fast. Test I did was 6 weeks until you could not start your car (Getz with 60Ah battery). Leaving on a 4W internal light for example will probably flatten a battery in under 4 or 5 days.
Personally I just disconnect battery as my Stereo code is already lost.
lol. My first name is Son. (like many vietnamese ozbargainers!)
Woo hi-5!!
Twelves months I'd be concerned, twelve days nope. Invest in jumper leads, or RACV.
Don't worry about 12 days, I drive my car once every couple of months if that and its fine.
Alright thanks I just borrowed neighbours jump starter. Thanks all
Just make sure it charged up beforehand, but again I really doubt if you will need it unless your battery is already on the way out.
what is he going to do if he needs a jump starter in the next 12 days?
Call the RACV :)
These day people don't need to call RACV for jump start their cars.Just buy a multi function jump starter ( small portable one and very handy ).
Go to gumtree.com.au you will find one call New car jump starter with LCD display around $110 for 12000mAh.
@Brucet: If you have no idea what you are doing with one of these with newer cars you can fry your electrics. Good luck
Heres one report I found that highlights this
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011…
@RockyRaccoon: I did try on my 2013 RAV4,and 2009 Mazda .nothing happened .My cars still running fine.what I know is lots of people using it now.
Just buy a portable multifunction jump starter with LCD display from Gumtree.com.au
Its very handy. With fully charge you can jump more than 20 times . Just leave it in your car and no more worry about flat battery.I got one for myself and it work perfect.
in all honesty i would return them and buy a set of jumper cables.
IMO it's a bit unfair to take his jumper "just in case" for 2 weeks. Particularly when you have no evidence to suggest your battery is dying
Honestly, the long term car park probably has a jump starter on site for people to use if their battery goes flat anyway.
Probably right. Hopefully such a service is not at an unrealistic charge.
I'm a virgo so thus keep j.cables, spare battery, petrol jerry, usual two funnels, blanket, tools, tape, fuses and a tire pump as standard.
Overkill
@cowiie:
Mayby, but the gear has been there for me and others when needed maybe two dozen times. Never needed RAC etc..
No more Roadside assistance,don't needs other car for jump start,don't worry about battery will self discharge.
Just go www.gumtree.com.au You will see A new multi function car jump starter with LCD display on sale $110 for 12000mAh and 14000mAh for $135.
Its very handy.I already got one and its work perfect.recommend if you need one.
12 days is nothing, it will be fine to leave as is.
12 days? lol, i dont drive my car for 12 day periods on a regular basis.
Unless your car has got an aftermarket alarm that rapes the battery, or you have known battery issues - i wouldn't worry at all.