Battery Charge or Remove

[Cobranut]

I am putting my 2.8 Z3 on a SORN over winter, I have a good trickle charger that just keeps battery topped up. Is it ok to leave trickle charging for long period or is it better to remove battery.....if I do disconnect will I have problems when re connected...I know I will need to reset radio but will l have problems with alarm and computers etc. Thankyou.

 

[Zephyr]

It depends on your charger.
some do a 2amp charge and other do also a deep cycle (meaning exhausting the battery and topping up if left for more than two weeks or more).
most advanced chargers can understand via software if the battery suffers excessive gassing and “cut off” for a period.
normal everyday (tesco, etx) trickle chargers just use a 2 amp current and if left too long (more than a month) can actually reduce the lifespan of the battery if they overheat it etc.
the safest way imho is to disconnect and charge before connecting if more than a month of hibernation is planned.

 

[Fender2004]

I have a cTek charger and I leave it connected to the car for months at a time, with the battery connected to the car. No problems so far!

 

[Zephyr]

Yep. The cTek is a “smart” one.

 

[Rudyrov]

I have Battery Tender trickle charger that is run through a light timer on mine, it comes on for a couple hours a day and seems to work just fine

 

[andyglym]

Yup, C-Tek here. Many industries out their leave kit on permanent charge using C-Tek (or similar). I had mine on charge for 5/6 weeks at a time when I was working overseas, no issues.

 

[t-tony]

When we were away for 8 weeks last year end I left it to see how it faired, going to leave it again.

Tony.

 

[Ianmc]

Just for curiosity, how much does a trickled charger cost to run?

 

[Zephyr]

[1.5(amps)] x 14.6 (volts) = 21.9 watts / hour = .0219KW / hour ==> 16.0 kwh per month.
Replace 1.5 amps with whatever your chargers output is and you have it.

 

[Cobranut]

Thankyou for all the replies....just out of curiosity does anyone know if removing battery causes problems with alarm, in car computers etc.......also, anyone know any good locations to get new soft top fitted..mid to north east of England...cheers..

 

[Fender2004]

If you have the original radio you’ll need the code for when you reconnect the battery, otherwise the radio will not work.

 

[Peter12345]

If it's outside get a solar trickle charger. Free to run !!

Or stick it on garage door & extend the leads.

 

[Cobranut]

Thanks everyone...