My car is kept outside but up by the house, have had a weatherproof outdoor socket fitted and keep an AA smart charger, about £30 permanently connected when not in use. Came with a hardwire fused lead which is fitted with the connecting socket just popping out the front grille on my NC.
My PRHT started beeping as soon as it was put in gear. I suspected this could be due to the battery charge, because it stopped once the car was driven for a while and the roof dropped and raised. This got worse with infrequent use and code B1318 was stored which is for low voltage, although the car started easily and showed 14.5v when running. The remote boot unlock also stopped working.
I charged it with an Optimate 2 for 48 hours and the beeping was cured.
I’m going to leave it on charge now. I noticed charging connected to the car didn’t see the “charging” light progress to the “charged” state, whereas charging disconnected does allow it to.
There may be an internal fault with the battery causing these issues which I have to get checked at a battery suppliers, but because of the drain from alarms etc, I think that if charging for an extended period doing so disconnected is preferable.
My car left without use during winter soon degraded it’s battery. Result, I put a charge in when connected to my quick standard charger but it didn’t go really hold that before going flat. Ok it was around 9 years old, the original Panasonic but if I’d have kept it maintained would have lasted longer.
New battery and a new maintenance charger now connected when laid up in winter, about every third day I switch it on. Same with my daily driver if not used for a few days, that battery lasted just over 4 years, again lack of use during winter I put it down to.
I’m too lazy, just start my NC every two weeks or so and let it idle for 15-20 mins until up to temperature. All the ancillaries turned off, obviously. Then I move it a few feet along the drive to stop any flat spots and to rotate the brake discs.
Seems to work just fine for me.
12.6/12.7 would be consistent with a full charge in a 12V lead acid battery but it doesn’t prove much more. They can reach the point where a full charge isn’t very much or the battery can’t deliver a high current without a large voltage drop.
My MX lives outside on the drive for the same reason. I have my cars serviced by CBS in Nelson and Carl recommended a CTEK charger to me. What a godsend it has been. I regularly check the state of the battery and charge when required.
My wife has a Mazda 2 and I use it on that too. I bought a 10 metre long heavy duty extension lead on Amazon for just under £11-00 and that allows me to park her car behind mine for charging.
I also have a Skoda Yeti which has a low battery warning and I used it on that recently.
We are retired and all of our vehicles do a low mileage at the best of times. Sadly, I have enjoyed <1500 miles of fun in my pride and joy - the 2011 Copper Red Mk 3 2.0 RC.
I would be surprised if you had to disconnect the battery. Weren’t there any instructions with it?
Hi, I have an MX5 and motorhome (engine and leisure battery) unused during winter.
Find no problems using an Optimate 6, keeps them tip-top and extends battery life for years.
Under £100 and compact if you need to charge on the vehicle.
Will pay for itself.
Regards
Yes 