SSNISTR

iTrader: (10)

Just as it says. I store my car most of the winter, am I better off disconnecting the battery or not? Most tell me I should....thanks.

GPz1100

I don't see any reason to leave it connected, other than storing your presets and/or radio settings.

Either way, put it on a battery tender and forget about it.

87gnx

iTrader: (3)

Also, its a good idea to run some fuel system conditioner(like STA-BIL) through it,for Winter hibernation.

GPz1100

I've become somewhat partial to this. I used to go through this whole routine when I put my bike away for the winter (nov- mid april typically).

Last 2 winters I just lubed the chain, oil change and topped off the gas and ran the carbs dry. Since the car is FI'd, there's nothing to really run dry.

Come spring, the bike starts right up usually on the first try. For less than 6 months storage, I think you'll be ok without stabil. I would change the oil though...

SSNISTR

iTrader: (10)

Yeah I could care less about the presets....

It's not garaged, it's covered so I can't use a battery tender
I'm probably gonna buy the battery switch from Cal Car Cover so it will make it easy to diconnect it.

SSNISTR

iTrader: (10)

I store it from like Nov to Apr at most, and I do drive it once a month provided the roads are clear. So I wasn't planning on using Stabil.

87gnx

iTrader: (3)

I'm not one for running the fuel system dry.One, it dries out the O- Rings gaskets and seals; two, the pump has to work that much harder(when dry) to get you the proper fuel pressure on the next start up.
If you can run the car every so often, then I guess its a moot point.$.02.

1QUIKWS6

iTrader: (61)

Remember, not only your presets will be lost, but your PCM will lose it's 'memory' which means it will take at least 500 miles of driving under different conditions once you start driving the car again for the computer to re-learn the optimum settings.

Since my car is a show car, it doesn't get driven that much and 500 miles is a lot of driving just to get the computer settings back to optimum.

I have a custom tune due to all my mods and can definitely tell the difference in how the car runs after disconnecting the battery and until the computer relearns.

I leave mine connected and use a Battery Tender over the winter months.

-Jay-

rotwiler

iTrader: (1)

I agree with 1QUIKWS6, a battery tender is the way to go. Everytime you put in the battery it will take a few day of driving for the computer to relearn everything which I don't like. Plus, that time you want to go out and start the car, it is much quicker.

WhiteBird00

iTrader: (4)

Keeping the car outside under a cover doesn't preclude using a battery tender. You can get the adapter cable with ring terminals on one end and the flat connector for the tender on the other. Leave the adapter cable permanently connected to the battery terminals and run the other end out under the car someplace then plug it in to the tender when you need to.

todddchi

iTrader: (3)

Someone have a link to one of these battery tenders? I half kinda store my car over the winter and like the sound of this.

How long to the tenders take? I'm in an apartment/carport so the requirements are a bit different.

WhiteBird00

iTrader: (4)

Battery tenders aren't really designed for recharging a battery - they're meant to be left connected over a long period (months) to maintain the optimal charge on the battery. They have a microprocessor in them that prevents overcharging and maintains a trickle charge.

I don't know if any of our sponsors sell them so I can't really post a link but I will say that "battery tender" is actually a brand name so you might try just adding .com to that.

GPz1100

Most motorcycle places should have those. Check out denniskirk.com or jcwhitney.com also chaparral-racing.com has 'em. Ronayers.com might have them too.

Try a sporting goods store too. They are typically used on motorcycles/atv's/etc type vehicles to maintain battery state while in storage.

SSNISTR

iTrader: (10)

Can you explain a little more, I'm not 100% sure what you mean. I know they make a weather resistent tender, and I do have access to a outside power outlet. I guess I could keep the tender under the hood and run the wire to the outlet over the winter so the battery will always be fully charged.

Thanks.

1QUIKWS6

iTrader: (61)

The type tender he is referring to is semi-permanent - meaning you can mount the unit under your hood close or on the battery, and the leads from the tender actually fasten to your battery terminals instead of using the alligator style clips that most have.

That way you could do what you stated - just plug an extension into your outside outlet and then into the tender from under the car - not disturbing your car cover at all

I didn't realize you were keeping the car outside - mine is kept in the nice warm garage - I probably treat it better than my wife

SSNISTR

iTrader: (10)

Do you know where I can buy one like that? I can't find that kind.

Yeah, driveway, covered....no garage yet. It will be next winter though.

PS, were you at Carlise this year?

1QUIKWS6

iTrader: (61)

Just sent you a PM with link to BEST battery tender to use - much better than the 'trickle chargers' out there - will not harm your battery in any way.

These tenders come with both the alligator style leads and the permanent ring style terminal leads.

I got mine at PepBoys...

-Jay-

Charging TA

You guys mentioned the PCM relearning everything... Is this only Autos? Only LS1s?

My LT1 M6 would not need relearning would it?

I know its off topic but there were a few posts about it.

1QUIKWS6

iTrader: (61)

Any car that uses computer control for the engine will need to re-learn the optimum driving settings if the battery is disconnected or PCM fuse pulled for any appreciable amount of time...

-Jay-

Mike98WS6

iTrader: (5)

Guy, why not get the battery tender like I have. You have access to an outside plug no?