Not using your car?

[t-tony]

Some tips about standing your car for long periods.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/owne...worthy-during-lockdown/ar-BB12UF3e?li=AAJsFr5

Tony.

 

[abh29]

interest that , I was considering giving the X1 a quick charge not been used for nearly 5 weeks now.

That comment about leaving brake off , how would that work with the e brake on the X1---I much prefer a proper handbrake. Dont know what its going to involve changing pads with the ebrake

Z3 get charged every couple of weeks.

 

[Jack Ratt]

I took the silver zed to St Austell to fill it up last weekend and so yesterday I took the Honda for the same treat. 20 mile round trip but believe it or not there isn't another petrol station on that road before I get to St Austell.

I'm thinking of syphoning both tanks and going again this coming weekend, just to wind up the "stay home" brigade

 

[t-tony]

interest that , I was considering giving the X1 a quick charge not been used for nearly 5 weeks now.

That comment about leaving brake off , how would that work with the e brake on the X1---I much prefer a proper handbrake. Dont know what its going to involve changing pads with the ebrake

Z3 get charged every couple of weeks.

There has to be a way of releasing the parking brake, in our daughters Insignia you apply the foot brake and release the parking brake switch then turn off the ignition. You could then chock the wheels?

Tony.

 

[Shelly]

I start Snow White up a couple of times a week and drive it back and forth in the driveway
I miss going out in her
I’ve cleaned her a few times during the lockdown, even though it hasn’t been driven
I still want a clean Z , it also gives me something to do

 

[g8jka]

Mine hasn't been on the road for about 3 weeks now and that was the only time in just under 5 weeks

Only place it's been is to the end of the drive and back a couple of times. Won't be going far for a while either, not due to lockdown but because it's got no seats in

 

[gookah]

. Won't be going far for a while either, not due to lockdown but because it's got no seats in

bit drastic, just to stop the temptation.

 

[g8jka]

bit drastic, just to stop the temptation.

Got no tools to put them back in

 

[Redline]

Bought a solar powered charger for my Z4. Been in two weeks. It’s maintained a voltage of 12.5V. Normally it goes all but flat over two weeks so am happy with that.
Reminded me I need to add some air in the tyres and release the handbrake though.

 

[t-tony]

Bought a solar powered charger for my Z4. Been in two weeks. It’s maintained a voltage of 12.5V. Normally it goes all but flat over two weeks so am happy with that.
Reminded me I need to add some air in the tyres and release the handbrake though.

Would you have a link to where you got the solar powered charge please Ian?

Tony.

 

[pgunter]

@t-tony I have been using one of these. Fixed ti the inside of the Z3 window. Works well through the lighter socket. Just have to make sure the socket is live all the time which in the Z3 it is.

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/b...g-solar-power-240-battery-charger-196471.html

 

[Redline]

Would you have a link to where you got the solar powered charge please Ian?

Tony.

Tony - I bought this one. ECO-WORTHY 12 Volts 10 Watts Portable Power Solar Panel Battery Charger Backup for Car Boat with Alligator clip adapter, Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B017K6PH1S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_vNTNEbMBWQH9N

Out of stock at the moment though.

 

[Nodzed]

Worth a mention --- Solar chargers are pretty low powered that's why they are good as trickle, or maintenance, chargers. But don't leave them on permanently, as they have no overcharge protection and will continue to charge even when the battery is full.

 

[Mazza]

Mines been off now since Jan 1st. I’m sure most of the oil will have drained down so is there anything I should do before starting the engine again??

 

[abh29]

One job i need do is repair a keyfob. I am sure i have seen details on this but can find it. The buttons are very worn. The circular lock and square unlock are really bad no idea what third Square button is for Please help

 

[Redline]

Worth a mention --- Solar chargers are pretty low powered that's why they are good as trickle, or maintenance, chargers. But don't leave them on permanently, as they have no overcharge protection and will continue to charge even when the battery is full.

But, the battery will discharge overnight when there is no power from the solar charger.

You’re only getting a few watts being put into the battery too. Where’s the overcharge protection from the alternator? If it were 24/7 I’d be concerned, but, the charging isn’t constant like from a trickle charge. There is a daily discharge overnight to power the alarm etc.
that said, I will be moving my panel around the cars.

 

[Nodzed]

But, the battery will discharge overnight when there is no power from the solar charger.

You’re only getting a few watts being put into the battery too. Where’s the overcharge protection from the alternator? If it were 24/7 I’d be concerned, but, the charging isn’t constant like from a trickle charge. There is a daily discharge overnight to power the alarm etc.
that said, I will be moving my panel around the cars.

The regulator is the over charge protection on the alternator. And most trickle charger have over charge protection.

The discharge will most likely be less than the charge especially during longer summer days, that said its a low input BUT without discharge it "could" be an issue, e.g my z3 wont go flat even if It stands for months so discharge is very minimal. It was just a cautionary post against leaving one attached 24/7 and forgetting about it especially if the battery terminals are disconnected.

 

[Redline]

The regulator is the over charge protection on the alternator. And most trickle charger have over charge protection.

The discharge will most likely be less than the charge especially during longer summer days, that said its a low input BUT without discharge it "could" be an issue, e.g my z3 wont go flat even if It stands for months so discharge is very minimal. It was just a cautionary post against leaving one attached 24/7 and forgetting about it especially if the battery terminals are disconnected.

The battery in my Z4 drains in about 10 days to two weeks. No idea what the cause is, but it's a significant drain. Am working on the basis that the 5-6 hours overnight is sufficient to drop it down enough and spend the following day recharging. It never gets above 12.5V compared to the expected 12.6V after a good charge. Charging 10W against a drain of around 4-6W is a good balance.
Older cars with little or no electronics are much easier to manage - they don't need much.
My car is 80' away on a neighbours (next door but one) drive (he has unused space so lets me park it there), but, trailing a cable to charge it over next doors garden isn't really an option. Don't want to keep firing it up either otherwise that's 15 minutes to get it warmed up properly etc.
All a balance.

 

[gookah]

Got no tools to put them back in

what happened to the ones you used to take them out with?

 

[Nodzed]

The battery in my Z4 drains in about 10 days to two weeks. No idea what the cause is, but it's a significant drain. Am working on the basis that the 5-6 hours overnight is sufficient to drop it down enough and spend the following day recharging. It never gets above 12.5V compared to the expected 12.6V after a good charge. Charging 10W against a drain of around 4-6W is a good balance.
Older cars with little or no electronics are much easier to manage - they don't need much.
My car is 80' away on a neighbours (next door but one) drive (he has unused space so lets me park it there), but, trailing a cable to charge it over next doors garden isn't really an option. Don't want to keep firing it up either otherwise that's 15 minutes to get it warmed up properly etc.
All a balance.

Absolutely Ian, perfect for that. Using sort term wasn't my warning!