Trickle charger alternative

If you have access to a decently sunny window try a solar charger.

Harbor Freight tools sells 2 different models from $39 to $79.

 

Can't run an extension cord from somewhere? Disconnect the battery then.

 

Or, take your battery home and put it on the Battery Tender

 

Take the battery out of the car and put it on a trickle charger somewhere else.

 

This is not a charging alternative, but a discharging prevantative......

On my Khamsin, which is sadly not driven often, I use a quick disconnect terminal that I bought for a few bucks from Griots (I am sure it is available elsewhere). With a very quick turn of a plastic screw, the battery is disconnected and will not significantly discharge. This is easier than pulling the entire battery out of the car.

 

Battery disconnect.
Purchase a portable battery jumper (for lack of a better term) for just in case.

 

I can suggest (3) options for you ----

1) Even with it completely disconnected, a car battery will discharge over time if it is not "freshened" from time to time. If you have no plans to start the car at all during the storage period (I would NOT recommend that, BTW ---- best to start the car up every now and then), I would remove the battery and store it separately in a warm place connected to a trickle charger.

2) Alternatively, as someone else suggested, you can purchase a small basic solar array / generator, which can be mounted outside on the roof, to provide the small amount of power needed to run a trickle charger ---- probably cost you about 100 bucks soup-to-nuts

3) Or, if you don't want the hassle of rigging up a solar supply or storing the battery separately ---- just disconnect the battery, leave it in the car, and let it drain down and (most likely) short itself out over the storage period. Then next Spring, go get a new battery (cost you the same $100), and put it in the car

 

I always read these stories about batteries going dead over winter storage. I must be the exception to the rule because in eight years of previous storage of a hobby car I never encountered this problem (even with the battery connected). Last winter was the first time for the Ferrari and I have a battery disconnect, no charger (the storage doesn't have electricity just like the OP). No problems so far either.

 

Peter ---

It is not an absolute that a battery will "fly south" over winter storage, but it certainly can happen --- there are several factors involved as to whether it will or will not go bad .