How Long To A Flat Battery?

[chandler32]

Anyone know how long you can leave the avensis parked before the Battery is too low to start the engine? either with or without the alarm armed...

Working abroad for the rest of the year and wondering what to expect on my return!

thanks

[Vince W]

Probably 10-14 days max. Depending what the condition of the Battery is of course and how much charge it received before being parked up.

You could always get one of those solar trickle chargers, connect it via the cigar kighter socket or crocodile clips directly to the Battery, and leave it on the dash.

[Loom]

Interesting idea. Does anyone have first-hand experience with one of those solar trickle chargers?

[chandler32]

2 weeks, is that all presumably if i just lock it with the key and don't set the alarm that will increase quite a bit. My old Fiesta lasted 8 weeks and started just fine....

Its in a residents multistory car park, so probably not enough sun for the panel.

sounds like an RAC job then!

[cabcurtains]

I went on hols and left a new Diesel Mondeo in the car park for 2 weeks and upon return she just fired up and then had the battery/alternator light on for a few days. As mentioned modern stuff has a lot of drain on the Battery even when switched off, also a Diesel needs a fair bit of power to turn the engine over.

[Vince W]

2 weeks, is that all presumably if i just lock it with the key and don't set the alarm that will increase quite a bit. My old Fiesta lasted 8 weeks and started just fine....

Its in a residents multistory car park, so probably not enough sun for the panel.

sounds like an RAC job then!

If you have the code for the radio, and you don't mind re-setting all your favorite stations on it, just disconnect the positive cable from the Battery.

[Q.S.]

2 weeks, is that all presumably if i just lock it with the key and don't set the alarm that will increase quite a bit. My old Fiesta lasted 8 weeks and started just fine....

Its in a residents multistory car park, so probably not enough sun for the panel.

sounds like an RAC job then!

If you have the code for the radio, and you don't mind re-setting all your favorite stations on it, just disconnect the positive cable from the Battery.

WRONG ! Always disconnect the Negative (Earth) lead of a Battery first before disconnecting the positive ! (Ask any mechanic)

So in your case just disconnect the neg. if you want to go down that route.

[chandler32]

Nuts. not got the code - didn't think they bothered will all that anymore. I thought they just coded it to the ECU.

Since i work for a mechanical engineering company, you'd think that one of my colleagues would have a jumper pack to lend me on my return.

thanks for the replies!

[chandler32]

update: there is no code. come to think of it, i've taken the radio out a number of times and it always worked after.

Battery disconnect it is.

[Parts-King]

The Battery on your car will last more than a few weeks if it is in good condition. The only batteries to fail were the early RAV batteries which were very small and not up to the job if you left them standing a few weeks. As above, remove the EARTH lead if you dont want to take any chances, but of course this will immobilise any alarm you may have fitted ;)

Kingo

[JohnSC]

I have a related problem on my 2002 Avensis: my (new) Battery goes flat after a few weeks of non-use. Vince W suggests a solar trickle charger plugged in to the cigarette lighter, but in fact this is only live with the ignition on. Does anyone know a convenient in-cabin point to connect such a charger, which is live when the alarm is set? I believe setting the alarm disconnects e.g. the dome light (via the master relay, I think).

[cmia]

you could run a new set of wires to the Battery to provide trickle charge.

[JohnSC]

you could run a new set of wires to the battery to provide trickle charge.

Yes, that's what I'm trying to avoid.

[acetip]

you could run a new set of wires to the battery to provide trickle charge.

Yes, that's what I'm trying to avoid.

hi johnsc

if the car has been used in the rain,before you lay it up,leave the handbrake off (leave in gear).

incase brake disc rust up.then you will not be able to move it even if batts ok.

[JohnSC]

you could run a new set of wires to the battery to provide trickle charge.

Yes, that's what I'm trying to avoid.

hi johnsc

if the car has been used in the rain,before you lay it up,leave the handbrake off (leave in gear).

incase brake disc rust up.then you will not be able to move it even if batts ok.

Thanks. That's a good tip, but mine's an auto so I just leave it in park.

[t-spiritpete]

update: there is no code. come to think of it, i've taken the radio out a number of times and it always worked after.

battery disconnect it is.

So you are going to disconnect the Battery and leave it unlocked and without an alarm in a multistorey car park! Your insurance won't pay out for any damage or worse if it gets knicked. With some of the money you earn whilst you are working abroad ........ get yourself a power pack/charger! Or if you are too tight, BUY a set of jump leads and get a friend with a car to help out when you get home.:yes:.

Pete.