Long term battery tender use?

Hi there. I use a Battery minder that is specifically designed to be plugged in for many months at a time. It doesn't charge the battery, but maintains the charge of the battery without the danger of overcharging it. I have about six of these in use right now (too many cars).

PM me - we sell this on our site...

-Wayne

 

Question -- If you plan on storing a car for several years, why wouldn't you remove the battery? There is a lot more to storing a car for that period, especially an exotic, than simply keeping the battery charged. The gas tank and fuel lines should be drained, engine and transmission oils should be changed and fresh oil installed, oil put into cylinders to protect them, car jacked up and put on blocks or jack stands to relieve weight from tires, interior needs to be treated, especially the leather, etc., etc., etc.

I use a trickle charger over the winter to keep the battery up to charge. It works fine. I use one from Sears, $29. Fully automatic. But as I said, if you are storing for more than the winter/a few months, the battery should be disconnected and preferably removed from the car, and all the other stuff needs to be done as well, or you'll have big problems when you come back to it a couple of years from now. Bottom line is cars are not meant to sit around for long periods of time. They need to be started and driven.

 

So sounds like you're okay on storing it, but something to consider leaving the battery in. Remember, unless it's a sealed battery, it can produce gases, especially if it is sitting on a charger. Not good in a confined space, under a cover, etc. Personally, I'd be concerned leaving a battery in a parked car for years on end. Corrosion, gases, etc. But hey, that's me. Batteries are very active little chemical plants. If it were my car, I'd take it out if at all possible.