infinite_one

iTrader: (3)

havnt had the 00 long enough to do that but yeah my irocs on one pretty much year round

Mr Incredible

Upon further review, I find the bit about not setting your battery on concrete dates from the olden days when battery cases were made of hard rubber.

The two main reasons then were that the cold concrete during the winter would sometimes allow the electrolyte to freeze. This was even more likely to happen as the battery discharged and the electrolyte freeze temp went up.

The other reason was that some electrolyte would migrate out through the hard rubber case and create a voltage differential.

While the cold thing is still an issue, the modern plastic cases prevent the leakage thing. Modern batteries are still subject to voltage dissipation through dust/dirt on batteries creating a voltage path between the poles.

Reader's Digest version: It's best to keep your battery clean, off the floor, and on a trickle charger when it is out of the vehicle.

ErikElvis

iTrader: (1)

I leave it in the car and occasionally trickle charge it overnight. Its one of those computer controlled chargers so it shuts off if its full.

FiredUpZ28

DON'T remove the battery from the car during storage! This can rot your wiring harness. Those teeny tiny parasitic drains you guys are referring to is what keeps your harness from rotting. Voltage is always flowing through the harness, and it may be just a little bit, but its there. Removing that voltage can cause corrosion to start building over a period of time. I wouldn't recommend jumping a completely drained battery. ALWAYS do a deep cycle charge if you can.

Jumping a dead battery is a bad idea since the alternator shouldn't have to charge the battery in the first place. The only time the alternator is supposed to charge the battery is the little bit of voltage lost from the starter draw. The alternators main job is to provide current to the cars electrical system while its running, not charging the battery.

NJSPDER

iTrader: (2)

There shoudl be a "No, go out and start the car once a week" option. That is really the best thing for the car, gets all the fluids circulating and keeps the seals fresh. No need to go for a drive necessarily, just start her up and let it idle up to normal operating temp.

-Tim

99'CajunFirehawk157

iTrader: (57)

I don't store my car for winter but per say it sits in the garage most of the time So I use one of those battery tenders made by DELTRAN, either my ecu or my alarm drains my Optima red top so on the Deltran goes, works great. YMMV

99'CajunFirehawk157

iTrader: (57)

Sorry to tell you, those go dead too, get a DELTRAN tender too.

EvilBLK02TA

iTrader: (28)

Just got my Deltran tender in the mail!!! woot!!!

unSStoppable

iTrader: (1)

i take the battery out and put it on a charger...every winter for the past 5 years ive owned it...no problems

hurley711

iTrader: (5)

With a tender or trickle charger do you leave them hooked up all of the time until you start the car? I have read a few things online, obviously not the most reliable info, about trickle chargers overcharging the battery? Is that possible? What is the best way to use a trickle charger?

01WS6A4

Is this the one you guys use ? Deltran SuperSmart Battery Tender Plus 12-Volt 1.25 AMP Battery Charger . Amazon has them for 39.99

El_Diablo_John

i store the mustang away, fog the cylinders to prevent rust in them, a rust inhibiting oil spray for the bottom of the car, full tank of gas with sta-bil, battery sits in my room in a cardboard box off the ground with a trickle on it at all times, the interior gets a good cleaning and dryer sheets to discourage any small animals that may get into my garage and the windows are left shut, aswell as the interior vent, coolant gets cheack and topped off and before it comes out of storage the oil gets drained and swapped for fresh to make sure no condensation has built up in the oil (it will happen no matter what, this is why its not good to start the car after sitting for a while, especially if you dont oil the cylinders)

wht01ws6ta

iTrader: (45)

I use a battery tender jr when the car is going to be sitting for a while. I've had problems with a slow battery drain in the past but just a .75 amp battery tender works great and will also charge the battery back up from playing the radio all night as well. Been doing it for months. That's with an optima battery though.

The Alchemist

iTrader: (19)

Another vote for a battery tender. I charges slowly, and shuts off when fully charged, but still monitors battery voltage.

01WS6A4

So which one should I buy ? Will the junior be just has good.
http://www.amazon.com/Deltran-Batter...=pd_sim_auto_1
http://www.amazon.com/Deltran-SuperS...1080646&sr=8-1

kidreno_21

I just pulled my Blazer Zr2 out of storage after 14 months of inactivity. I put an additive in both the oil and fuel (don't remember which type) and all I did was disconnect the battery cables - didn't pull the battery out. I had moth ***** and two boxes of baking soda in the interior and put it on jack stands with the weight on the suspension.

Before I started it up, I changed the oil which had separated into three different consistencies - first was thick and looked like fresh oil from the bottle, second was thinner and black - the oil part I am sure, third was the thick clumpy stuff left over.

While the final droppings fell out of the pan, I reconnected the battery and took it off the jack stands. I let that stuff drain for a while and finally put in a new filter and oil.

When I went to start it, it turn over just fine, but didn't start - I think I just had to prime the fuel line. Second crank it started right up, with smoke and a low idle. I let it run for some time, then shut it down for a few. The second start, idle was normal and it ran well.

Do you have such a high performance machine that it is absolutely crucial to keep your battery in top condition? Does it really matter that your battery has a 100% charge when you go to start your car after a couple months?

My recommendation is this: Before you go to start your car for the first time, take the battery to a store that can check your battery an ensure it is in good shape. Or just keep doing what you're doing since that has been working in the past.

There is more than one way to skin a cat.

wht01ws6ta

iTrader: (45)

The .75A junior works fine for me. I think if you have a higher battery drain than that then you have bigger issues at hand.

sweetbmxrider

iTrader: (13)

its out of the car and on a trickle inside the shop. won't be driving for a while so ya.

The Alchemist

iTrader: (19)

I got the Junior version as well because it's specifically for maintenance. I have a 'quick charge' battery charger, which charges at a higher amperage. The junior will charge it over time, but it's a slower rate, which is actually a better way to avoid over heating the battery.

Nightrydass

+1

My car sits outside for the winter, under a cover, of course. I use the indoor-outdoor battery tender. It is awesome, i love it. like previously said, it monitors the voltage of the battery and is only "on" when it is needed. I also use sta-bil in my tank and ****.

as a side note; if you have a sound system hooked up with a cap, PULL THE FUSE OUT or DISCONNECT the cap! The cap will draw more amps then the charger can put out and the charger won't go "dormant"; ask me how i know...