S Type flat battery
#1
08-02-2012 | 01:13 AM
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From: Cyprus
S Type flat battery
Hi guys,
My S type is generally sat cocooned in my courtyard for a few weeks at a time whilst I am away and I get my daughter to start it and run the engine for a few minutes every week, as otherwise it misbehaves when I get to use it.
She has missed a week and now the battery is flat. I don't think I want her to attempt taking the battery out and am wondering if it would be safe to connect a battery charger to the battery to recharge it insitu? I have read earlier threads that talk about fumes in the boot (trunk) that could explode and would really like to avoid if possible (I could replace the car but not my daughter!).
When I get home, I will have the battery tested and if necessary replaced, but at this point I am more concerned about running the engine now and then to avoid it being uppity later.
My S type is generally sat cocooned in my courtyard for a few weeks at a time whilst I am away and I get my daughter to start it and run the engine for a few minutes every week, as otherwise it misbehaves when I get to use it.
She has missed a week and now the battery is flat. I don't think I want her to attempt taking the battery out and am wondering if it would be safe to connect a battery charger to the battery to recharge it insitu? I have read earlier threads that talk about fumes in the boot (trunk) that could explode and would really like to avoid if possible (I could replace the car but not my daughter!).
When I get home, I will have the battery tested and if necessary replaced, but at this point I am more concerned about running the engine now and then to avoid it being uppity later.
#2
08-02-2012 | 11:07 AM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 11,058
Likes: 2,266
From: Perth Ontario Canada
Running an engine for a few minutes now and then should not be necessary and actually is the worst thing to do to a car in storage. Sounds like there's a side issue that needs to be addressed.
It's possible that the repeated starting and idling has caused to battery to gradually become drained and has now killed it completely. Leave the boot lid open and attach a charger on low setting. If after an hour it's starting to recover, up the charge rate to 10-20 amps and see if it accepts a full charge. Do not use the alternator in the car to charge a battery- they're not built for that sort of duty.
Again, if your car acts uppity after sitting a few weeks, there's an issue that needs sorting. Mine can sit for months with no problems.
It's possible that the repeated starting and idling has caused to battery to gradually become drained and has now killed it completely. Leave the boot lid open and attach a charger on low setting. If after an hour it's starting to recover, up the charge rate to 10-20 amps and see if it accepts a full charge. Do not use the alternator in the car to charge a battery- they're not built for that sort of duty.
Again, if your car acts uppity after sitting a few weeks, there's an issue that needs sorting. Mine can sit for months with no problems.
#3
08-02-2012 | 12:13 PM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 26,851
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From: Yorkshire, England
Ideally she'd first check the electrolyte (liquid) levels in each of the cells and if need be top up with deionised / distilled water.
Charging should be OK but make sure she does not try to start the car with the charger still attached and I suggest attaching it unpowered and then to turn it on. (Disconnect similarly i.e. switch off first. Avoids sparks and surges.) Make sure she knows which way around to connect it! (+ to + and - to - )
It'll likely take a long time to charge, say 12 hours.
Charging should be OK but make sure she does not try to start the car with the charger still attached and I suggest attaching it unpowered and then to turn it on. (Disconnect similarly i.e. switch off first. Avoids sparks and surges.) Make sure she knows which way around to connect it! (+ to + and - to - )
It'll likely take a long time to charge, say 12 hours.
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