Car Inactive Keeping Battery Charged

[riptide]

If I run the car for 5 minutes every day will this keep the battery going whilst I am in isolation for a period of time. With the coronavirus rules I am not meant to be going out for 3 months. I need the car to remain charged in case there is an emergency with one of my dogs. Thanks all, keep safe.

[SlackAlice]

Unlikely that 5 mins a day would be adequate.

Something like this would be better
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/s?k=solar+car+battery+trickle+charger&crid=3PV6XMHO5TM1P&;sprefix=solar+car%2Caps%2C188&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_9

If you do choose this type of thing make sure your cig lighter/power plug is live with the ignition off.

[woofgang]

I can't drive my car at the mo and haven't been able to do so since november (very frail old dog) Every 4 weeks I run the engine for 2 hours, use the wipers and screen wash and move the car slightly so the weight is on a different place on the tyres. So far all is fine.

[jno]

https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Motoring/Question1699105.html

Lots of discussion there

[ToraToraTora]

no you must run it for at least 20 mins, it takes most of that to replace what it took to start the car. Better off putting on a solar trickle charger and starting once a week.

[ladybirder]

Thanks for linking my post jno, you beat me to it.
I've decided I am going to SORN mine.

[Togo]

Good thread Rip. I have been out today and revved the nuts off both motors for about 10 minutes each. Changed the clocks and made sure that there is nothing plugged in that can drain a battery(my motor in particular. I leave my ipod on and usb connected cos I'm a dilettante git) I had a message "Battery Low" the last time I went out, and thought What The Funicular. Then I sat down and had a think. Modern motors with wifi and bluetooth connectivity, keyless entry, push button ignition when the fob is detectable, etc.etc. are using "juice" up without us knowing it. My car for instance can detect my phone whilst I am inside and it is bluetooth connected for hands off use. So you are bang on to ask. I do have a battery charger that I can use if it goes pear shaped and a tyre inflator.......but that needs the car battery or the car running.

[TonyV]

fortunately I have a spare (new battery) which I had bought before this started, as current one was on its last legs, no point in changing it at the moment as will not be going anywhere.

[Togo]

Didn't spot you earlier thread Lady or I would have replied on it. It is something I have been thinking about since last week when I took my jam jar out and got the "battery low" message. Never had it before and knew it was because of the inactivity. Getting a bit complicated this kin simple virus isn't it?

[bhg481]

Running the engine is not a good way to keep a battery charged. Most damage is done to an engine in the warming up period for several reasons (wrong tolerances because of metal temperature, enriched mixture dilutes the oil etc). On top of that, for every litre of fuel you burn you produce a litre of water. On a hot engine with a hot exhaust the water vapour is cleared via the exhaust pipe; on a cold engine it condenses in the exhaust pipe and causes corrosion. A far better way to keep the car healthy is to connect a trickle battery charger and move the vehicle a little every now and again to stop the tyres getting a flat spot.

[retrocop]

I have two of these. I've had them for several years and they have never let me down. Always kept 12volt car batteries up to speed.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/272810497607?chn=p

[ladybirder]

Togo I decided SORNing was the simplest option. I'll put it in gear and leave the handbrake off.

[Togo]

I will keep ours running Lady. There are no shops within walking distance at our ages, big fo hill coming back if we did try to walk for shopping, no buses, and delivery slots are as rare as hen's teeth. Other than that things have never been better. :))

[ladybirder]

Right decision for you Togo. And right decision for me I think so we're all good:-)

[brainiac]

How's the new boiler, LB, blasting away? I told you it was going to get cold out!

[ladybirder]

LOL Brainiac, it's so quiet I wouldn't know it's on. I love it thanks. Would recommend it to anyone and it's the top Best Buy in Which magazine so there you go;-)

[brainiac]

That's great. Worcester? Vaillant?

[mjwman]

I use a CTEK battery conditioner. Its a sort of intelligent trickle charger.
No need to disconnect the battery or clip on leads it comes with a plug and socket that you attach to the battery.
no disconnecting just undo one terminal nut at a time and slip the lead on and nip up again.
All you do then is to lift the bonnet in the garage and pop the charger plug on tho the one you have now installed permanently in the car and switch on.
Nothing could be easier and as it is intelligent, you just leave it on all the time.