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Winter Battery Storage
How do you keep your battery up during winter...trickle charger, shut off power, removal ???
I have an Optima. They say a trickle charger can be used. What is your experience? Thanks, Ivan |
Just crank up the car once a week..........
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Yes, use a battery tender.
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Looks like I'll get me a Battery Tender.
Thanks for the info, Ivan |
Or you could just do nothing...
I just let mine sit until Spring... and it starts right up.
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My opinion is to not start it up once it has been shut down for the winter. I put the charger on the battery for an hour or so 2 or 3 times during the winter just to keep it topped up.
Wayne |
If there is no draw on the battery it will easily go through the winter unattended.
Bob |
Ivan..I have a Cobra and 3 other toys I store during the winter. I use battery tenders on all of them and have had great results and extended battery life on all 4 cars....Gordon
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I have heard that starting up the car to warm the engine will attract condensation as it cools, thus oxidation. Depending on where you live it might be best to leave it in the garage uncovered and cold while the weather is bad. I'm no expert on this cold weather storage but thought it was worth the mention.
John |
Quote:
Unless you are planning on driving it, it's best to let it set. Just starting it up generally will not get everything up to operating tempatures and when that happens you do get condensation issues. |
I would think the benifits of wetting all seals and gaskets plus the change or rotation of open/closed valve springs plus new gas in carb bowls all kinda offset condensation possibilty. Gotta be a break even point or hot enough to burn off most condensate?????
Harbor Freight is selling a battery tender or low charge rat goodie for 3 bucks. Plug it in and let it top off the battery, advertising on box claims to solve all stored battery problems. Off sale price of battery tender is a whooping 7 bucks so cheap enopugh if it does what it claims and great for gel cell batteries. Hell I live in Phoenix what do I know about cold areas ?? |
"Battery Tender +".
It works. |
Seems to have worked for me in the past for inside storage:
* Full tank of fresh gas ( winter mix ) w/ Sta-Bil * Tires inflated to normal pressure * Use of Battery Tender or removal of battery if no electricity in off site storage facility and then connect the Battery Tender at home * Tarp on cement floor to block condensation/moisture * Not covered, limits condensation build up w/ fluctuating temperatures * Oil change * Liberal placement inside of dryer sheets such as Bounce . Or, use of moth balls, don't know which approach is more effective. If not screened, block the air inlets to engine and inside. I vaguely remember from an article , if a vehicle is started in the winter, minimum of 1/2 hour run time @ RPM equal to 20 MPH ? |
Be careful about leaving car uncovered. If left in an unheated garage at very low ambient for an extended period, the whole car can become covered in water should a warm (moist) weather system move in. Much like a cold can of soda in a warm humid room.
Bob |
Winter storage... drive Cobra into basement ;) ;) ;)
http://photos.imageevent.com/velox/v...e/Basement.jpg |
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You can save some money over the Battery Tender by going to Sears and buying their battery maintainer. I've used it successfully on my Optima battery for the last 2 winters (get's pretty cold, but dry, here). I drain the radiator and put in fresh A/F with corrosion inhibitor and a bottle of Redline Waterwetter. Of course, I have added Sta-Bil to the gasoline and ran it a bit to get it through the fuel system.
After all that, I let it sit for the winter. Seems to work OK for me. I also use an Accumate charger/maintainer for my motorcycle and have found it to be outstanding. Here's a link for it: http://www.hotrodssuperstore.com/acautcharand.html Shop around for the Accumate as the price varies and it usually is about the same price as a Battery Tender, but can be found cheaper. These maintainers prevent sulfation in the battery which will short cells out if the battery isn't on a maintainer. Well worth the money and hassle come spring. Paul |
I use a small battery manager from Griot's on my Optima and it has stood me in good stead over the past 3 years. It's a small unit and can be attached with either alligator clips or (as I did) with the supplied hard wire harness.
http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog....500&L2=L2_4000 DonC |
I have a couple of Battery Tenders that I got from NAPA and have used for 5 years on both Optima and regular lead acid cell batteries. Never a problem.
Ron :) |
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