Disconnecting power to go on vacation

You could either disconnect the battery entirely or go with a tender. Then you won't have to perform the start up process when you get back. 8 days is not that long without starting it.

 

That's what I was thinking. If your battery is going dead in 8 days you have a serious drain or time for a new battery. I leave my cars 8 weeks at a time during the winter with no tender and they (usually) start.

 

Disconnecting the battery forces you to adjust the clock and radio presets (if you have any on this car) when you get back from your trip.

If your battery is any good, it should be able to last for more than that on such an old car with few electronic systems to power when parked.

 

Clocks in the 348 always need resetting, even with power never being disconnected.

 

I've always just disconnected it using the knob under the bonnet. Has worked fine for me for the last 22+ years.

 

It's always a good idea to keep these cars on a trickle charger.

I learned the hard way years back with my Lotus Esprit. After sitting for a while, the battery got weak and when I tried to start the car, the low voltage caused an amperage spike that fused my starter into the "start" position. The only way to stop the engine was yank the battery and stall it in gear. Very ugly.

Ever since then, I've been a firm believer in trickle chargers. With my 348 I rigged a trickle charger that runs directly into the cigarette lighter. Easy in, easy out.
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Theres no problem disconnecting the power while your on vacation.
Thats what the switch is there for
Resetting the clock or radio is a non issue.

 

trcikle charger

 

no doubt

 

A trickle charger keeps trying to pour electricity into a full battery. You really want something smarter that only that only "pours" when needed, i.e. a battery tender.