Battery flat from no driving... - AUSJEEPOFFROAD.COM Jeep News Australia and New Zealand

Numb Thumbs · #1 11-02-2019

Here is one for the Brains Trust...

I have had a knee replacement so no driving for a while. The GC has been sitting in the garage. I thought I better check the battery so I put a voltmeter across the terminals under the bonnet - showed 12.2 Volts.

I started the car and it struggled for a second or two and then started. Normally the start is almost instantaneous. At present it is running in the garage.

I can't take it for a drive, so, what should I do? Leave it running in the garage or put a multi stage battery charger across the terminals under the bonnet or something else?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers
Numb Thumbs

cherokee94nz · #2 11-02-2019

Better that it has a good run, hook up your camper i will fly over and take it for a run to Darwin via Perth for you. By the time i return you should be able to drive again, Jeeps are better driven than left in the shed.

johnnywal · #3 11-02-2019

Hi Numb Thumbs,
as I usually only use my GC for towing and trip duty, it often sits in the garage for extended period ie a few weeks. I always connect my spare Ctek smart charger to it and it is always fully charged ready to go.
John.

Numb Thumbs · #4 11-02-2019

Thanks, johnnywal, I'll do that. I charging the auxiliary battery at present, so when it is done, I charge the car battery, via the terminals under the bonnet.

Cheers
Numb Thumbs

croweater · #5 11-02-2019

As an aside to this question, but related - does everyone disconnect the battery terminals when charging their batteries. I do but it's a PITA to reset the security code on the radio when I reconnect everything.

Troutman · #6 11-02-2019

I've never had to enter a security code after disconnecting battery on my 2015.

Nanook · #7 11-02-2019

My JK isn't a daily as I have a Hilux for that so it can sit idle for several weeks at a time. It takes about 4 weeks for my Optima battery to be so low as not to start it.

Get online and buy yourself a Ctek smart charger. These can be bought for around $100 for the MXS 5.0

Connect it to your battery and let it do it's thing.

https://frankiesautoelectrics.com.au...gaArX8EALw_wcB

My Ford FPV GT would take about 3 days before the battery wasn't strong enough to start. A big engine with a small battery. Whenever I wanted to drive it the bloody battery was flat so had to get a smart charger. They are well worth the money.

There is no need to disconnect any terminals.