How long have you left you car without starting it?

[reefdiver550]

How long can I expect my battery to stay charged?

I asked because I'm going to be traveling and away from my car for almost a month and was wondering if there is a chance is hell that itll start right up when I get back.

Will this negatively effect my car in anyway?

I've seen battery maintainers around for sale, are these worth looking at?

[White987S]

You need a battery maintainer. I recommend plugging-in for periods that exceed 5-7 days. Very easy to do. I drive my car 1-2 days per week. Sometimes it sits for 2 weeks in the summer. I always plug in. It is also plugged in for winter storage (5 months).

[2Fast996]

I routinely leave mine unattended for two weeks at a time with a battery tender plugged into the lighter plug and have never had a problem. I left a BMW for 3 1/2 months one time with the same battery tender and was happy to return to a charged battery. It is my understanding that discharging the battery too deeply will have a negative effect.

[fastboydave]

Its a good idea to plug in the maintainer any time you arent going to be using the car for a while, whether it be a couple of days or weeks. It is the voltage that is important to a battery and when the voltage is < 12.4V the battery begins to 'sulfate'. Over a period of time this sulfation will eventually lead to your battery not holding charge anymore hence a dead battery. Theres many things that make this 'sulfation' worse, including hot weather and deep discharge (prelonged cranking) but you obviously know that and get the idea.............

[reefdiver550]

Yea it looks like thats Im going to have to get one of these. There any recommended places to get one? The dual mode charger at suncoast is $114. I've seen some on ebay claiming to be the same for a good deal cheaper. Anyone have any experiance with these?]

Im assuming now that my car will be dead when I next see it. (about 3 weeks from now)

Is it strongly advised not to jump start the car via another car?

Thanks for the help!

[fastboydave]

'Jump' starting is for emergencies only, a 'smart charger' is the absolute best, but very costly. You don't find these types of chargers in parts stores and Wal-Marts. They operate on the following principle:

The first step is bulk charging where up to 80% of the battery energy capacity is replaced by the charger at the maximum voltage and current amp rating of the charger. When the battery voltage reaches 14.4 volts this begins the absorption charge step. This is where the voltage is held at a constant 14.4 volts and the current (amps) declines until the battery is 98% charged. Next comes the Float Step. This is a regulated voltage of not more than 13.4 volts and usually less than 1 amp of current. This in time will bring the battery to 100% charged or close to it. The float charge will not boil or heat batteries but will maintain the batteries at 100% readiness and prevent cycling during long term inactivity.

It is this "float" charge that your maintainers basically do. To answer your question, there is an exact Porsche equivalent maintainer "Charge-O-Mat" (or something like that) that is the same as they sell, but half the price as they havent put there logo on it. I'm sure its been discussed on here before?? You see them on Ebay all the time, but can get from manufacturers i believe. I'm sure Sunset have them?

[White987S]

Yea it looks like thats Im going to have to get one of these. There any recommended places to get one? The dual mode charger at suncoast is $114. I've seen some on ebay claiming to be the same for a good deal cheaper. Anyone have any experiance with these?]

Im assuming now that my car will be dead when I next see it. (about 3 weeks from now)

Is it strongly advised not to jump start the car via another car?

Thanks for the help!

I don't think you need the fancy one from Porsche. Porsche also sells a simple battery maintainer for about $55 from places like www.suncoastporsche and www.sunsetporsche. Get one. Then when you come home, plug it in for 2-4 days, and it should charge you up enough to start the car. Keep it pluged in again when not using the car for more than a few days. If you can afford the waiting time, I'd do it this way vs jump starting.

Maybe a trusting neighbor can plug you in while you are away. Buy the charger, and ship it to them. Just a thought.

[reefdiver550]

Yea its those 'charge-o-mats' that I've seen. Going to order one today.

Thanks for the great responses!

[td873]

How long can I expect my battery to stay charged?

I asked because I'm going to be traveling and away from my car for almost a month and was wondering if there is a chance is hell that itll start right up when I get back.

Will this negatively effect my car in anyway?

I've seen battery maintainers around for sale, are these worth looking at?

On my honeymoon I left my car for 3 weeks and it had no problems starting up. I didn't disconnect the battery either. Just let it sit. ;)

Good luck!

-td

[packetstorm88]

My car has never seen rain or snow. During the winter months here in Chicago, I've gone as long as 6 weeks without starting up the car. I bought a porsche battery maintainer from SunCoast and updated my Cigarette Outlet to a later version and have never had any battery/starting issues. It really keeps the battery charged, I would spend the extra $50 bucks and get the better Porsche charger.

:renntech:

[wross996TT]

It really keeps the battery charged, I would spend the extra $50 bucks and get the better Porsche charger.

Are you kidding me? There is nothing special about the Porsche charger except you pay for the label...most maintainers work the same way....save the dough.

[White987S]

It really keeps the battery charged, I would spend the extra $50 bucks and get the better Porsche charger.

Are you kidding me? There is nothing special about the Porsche charger except you pay for the label...most maintainers work the same way....save the dough.

wross, I think what he means here is that Porsche offers 2 battery maintainers. One is more expensive & does more than the other. He felt the more expensive one was worth the extra cost. I also agree to buy the Porsche brand. They are not that much more vs an aftermarket- maybe $25. Why risk the few extra dollars on an expensive car.

[fastboydave]

Its obviously up to the individual, but the "Charge-O-Mat" (or something like that) that Porsche 'brand' is exactly the same as the one without the Porsche logo. The company designs and makes them for Porsche and also sells them under their own label.

The old type (Charge-O-Mat which i have) has been superceeded now by the Charge-O-Mat II. The newer one charges at a higher rate and has one or two more functions. Ultimately, they both charge and keep your battery topped up which is what you want.

Point of information though, make sure your cigar lighter is 'live' without ignition on. Older models arent......... Just a tip.

[fastboydave]

Oh, you may want to go for the "Porsche" brand if you have a manufacturers warrantee still on the vehicle, as they will use any excuse not to honour the warrantee if something went wrong with your electrics. Just a thought........

[PeterK]

I use a floating charger/battery tender procured from wallmart for whooping $19.99. I really failed to see the difference between porsche branded device and one from black&decker. Functionally they are exactly the same. I think it works really, really well. My battery is close to 4 years old and still holds sufficient charge to be fully usefull.

[packetstorm88]

It really keeps the battery charged, I would spend the extra $50 bucks and get the better Porsche charger.

Are you kidding me? There is nothing special about the Porsche charger except you pay for the label...most maintainers work the same way....save the dough.

oh c'mon....i love my pCar...and besides what's 50 bucks, it's like 2 stiff drinks here in the city. as an enthusiast, why go generic? you know, there really is no substitute......oh well to each their own :P