winter storage

1. trackhack Newbie Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 12 saxo VTS Octavia VRS

   #1 14th October 2013, 21:58

   I want to store my vts over the winter but don't want to wreck the battery which is the best way?
2. user_39461 Super Moderator Joined: Nov 2009 Cambridge(ish), UK. Posts: 10581 BMW 5x M50d.

   #2 14th October 2013, 22:19

   Trickle charger is ideal. Do you have electric where you store the car? If not remove the battery and bring it to your trickle charger.
   
   Alternatively you can get the solar power top up charger things that are supposed to work quite well.
3. DAMSK11 Established Member Joined: Jan 2012 Cambridgeshire, England Posts: 2180 Saxo 1.1, Fiesta Zetec S

   #3 14th October 2013, 22:40

   Surely the battery will be fine if its just stored over winter?
4. user_39461 Super Moderator Joined: Nov 2009 Cambridge(ish), UK. Posts: 10581 BMW 5x M50d.

   #4 14th October 2013, 22:50

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by DAMSK11 Surely the battery will be fine if its just stored over winter?

   Not if it's left connected and ideally it wants to be on a smart charger. I have a ctek 36 smart charger. Keeps the battery in good health over long periods of inactivity (likely with a French car )
5. DAMSK11 Established Member Joined: Jan 2012 Cambridgeshire, England Posts: 2180 Saxo 1.1, Fiesta Zetec S

   #5 14th October 2013, 22:52

   Batteries on my cars have always stayed fine when they haven't been used for long periods of time. Would most likely be fine
6. MartinObviously Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2012 Perth Posts: 3665 Peugeot 106 1.1 Turbo Peugeot 106 1.5D Turbo Peuge

   #6 14th October 2013, 22:53

   My batteries have been fine, as long as you charge them before you store them. they're usually okay for a few months.
   
   Or, as Ross suggested, a mains powered trickle charger.
   
   Solar trickle chargers are great, but not in winter when you only have 5 hours of useful sunlight. then there's snow and ice etc when it won't work
7. trackhack Newbie Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 12 saxo VTS Octavia VRS

   #7 15th October 2013, 08:08

   Trickle charger £15, new battery £75 easy choice. Just ordered a trickle charger off Maplins
8. KamRacing Saxperience Addict Joined: Nov 2006 A farm shed in Aylesbury Posts: 14916 Corolla AE86 Peugeot 205 B18C (in bits)

   #8 15th October 2013, 09:35

   I store a few cars long term. I disconnect the battery, then every 3-4 weeks get the cars started, moved and warmed up. Seems to work fine.
9. MartinObviously Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2012 Perth Posts: 3665 Peugeot 106 1.1 Turbo Peugeot 106 1.5D Turbo Peuge

   #9 15th October 2013, 18:44

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by trackhack Trickle charger £15, new battery £75 easy choice. Just ordered a trickle charger off Maplins

   that the one for £10 or so?
   
   It's shite. mine lasted a week.
10. holdawayt Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2010 Stourbridge Posts: 7338 Nissan 200sx S14a

    #10 16th October 2013, 09:18

    The mx5 was in storage from October 2012 til March 2013. For 3 months it was stood without an operational engine.
    
    Still started first turn of the key once it was built back up. For a tiny battery it aint half good. It's been in storage a month now. I tend to start it every weekend and take it round the car park to warm up.