Semi-long-term storage (battery)

Hello all,

I've got a 2007 Accord EX that I'm not going to be using for about six
months. It's garaged, and covered. I plan to take it out for a spin
once in a while during this time period, but just a brief (10 min?)
ride. Wondering what the recommendations are for helping the battery
survive this... Should it be disconnected, or not? I'm thinking that
running it (once a month?) will keep things charged enough, or is that
wrong? Anything else to worry about? I will check the tire inflation
prior to the monthly ride. Thanks for info.

 

Depends on the battery and ignition off current draw.

 

That probably won't make up for the "cost" of startup and the slow
drain. A smart charge MIGHT work, but my bet is that you'll need a
new battery. If not immediately, within 6-8 months.
--
- dillon I am not invalid

When you wish upon a falling star, your dreams come true.
Unless it's really a meteorite hurtling to the Earth which
will destroy all life. Then you're pretty much hosed no
matter what you wish for. Unless it's death by meteor.

 

Oh, well that's very helpful.

The battery is a year and a half old (like I said, it's a 2007). What is
drawing current when it's off? Could you be a little more specific, and
actually try to answer the question?

 

OK, that sounds pretty reasonable. Thanks for the reply.

 

The security system is usually the big draw, usually a few tens of
milliamps. Keep-alive on the radio is normally very low. The security
system - assuming it has one - will kill the battery in a few weeks to a
couple months.

In the Toyota Prius the problem is compounded by the undersized 12 volt
battery. In the Yahoo! Prius forum, battery minders are widely recommended
and seem to work just fine.

Mike

 

Sure. You listening?

"Ignition Off Current Draw" (IOCD) or "Ignition Off Draw" (IOD) is the
current drawn by all systems and accessories requiring +12V battery
power with ignition off.

For example, the typical modern car's security system, clock, stereo,
engine management computer all draw current with ignition off. Up to
120 milliamps total, depending on accessories, is typical.

Let's say your almost new type 35 battery has a nominal 45 Ah rating.
That means it will provide 45 Amps for one hour, 1 Amp for 45 hours, or
0.12 Amp (120 milliamps) for 375 hours, or combinations thereof.

So you may expect your almost new battery to provide 375 hours
(approximately 16 days) of standby power without auxiliary charging.

The takeaways here for a six month pickling are:

1./ you'll need a charger, unless you
2./ install a kill switch that eliminates the IOCD, and if you do,
3./ make sure you have the security code for your factory radio, or
4./ it will become a brick, once the power is removed.

 

OK, much better. I appreciate that info. Now, assuming I have the radio
code (I do), would it help the battery if I simply disconnected it in
between the monthly short drives? If I did that, once the vehicle is
returned to regular driving, and the battery gets a good charging from
that, could I expect the battery to be none-the-worse for the experience?

 

Yes, using a kill switch, that's been my experience following the annual
November-March picking of my sportscar, for the past 20+ years.

 

What is "once in a while"? every week,2 weeks,each month?
if you're storing it for 6 months,put the car up on stands and take the
weight off the tires. Tires are much more expensive than a new battery.

pull the fuse for the security system.
Heck,for 6 months,disconnect the battery,put it on a float charger.

 

following your usual advice, we should all respond along the lines of "get
rid of that junk, buy a new car".

but seriously, you have two options on the battery:

1. disconnect. but that's not so good - they still discharge, albeit
slower.
2. run a smart charger on it. that'll keep it perfect. make sure the
hood stays open though so any battery vapor dissipates.

running a car for 10 mins once a month is worse than just leaving it.
motors don't reach full working temp for about 20 mins. if you're going
to start it infrequently, run it until it's good and hot to burn out all
the acids, condensation, gunky fuel, etc.

 

Heh. That only goes for 15+ year old cars.

OK, I will probably just disconnect it. Don't have a charger and don't
want to buy one. Also don't want to leave the hood open.

OK, I'll run it 20-30 minutes then. Thanks.

 

Probably every 3-4 weeks. Don't have any stands, and it could use a new
set of tires anyway, so not going to worry about that aspect.

Yeah, I'm gonna disconnect it, and jump start if needed for the
occasional drives. If it needs a new battery at the end, that's what
I'll do. Thanks.

 

Unless you have no outlet available, use a battery Tender Jr. They
are inexpensive and reliable. My '95 Civic is sitting snowbound in the
garage connected to one right now.