15. HOW LONG CAN I PARK MY VEHICLE?
Last Updated on July 11, 2004
The amount of time, usually referred
to as "airport" or "garage" time, that you can leave
your vehicle parked and still start your engine is
dependent on such things as the battery's initial State-of-Charge
(SoC), the Reserve Capacity, the amount of natural
self-discharge and parasitic (ignition key off) load,
and temperature. Car manufacturers normally design
for at least 14 days or more "airport" time; based
on a fully charged battery in good condition, moderate
weather, and no additions to the original car's parasitic
load (for example, an after market alarm system). The
number of days will vary based on the temperature.
When a battery drops below 100% SoC, sulfation starts
slowly occurring, and this will reduce the capacity
of the battery, and left unchecked, will kill the battery.
If you leave your vehicle parked for
more than two weeks, then you have several options:
15.1. The best option is to connect a
three or four stage "microprocessor controller" battery
charger, voltage regulated float charger, or solar
float charger and continuously float charge your car
battery. You will need a "float" charging voltage between 13.2 and 13.8 VDC at 80° F
(26.7° C) and at least .5 amps (500 milliamps)
to overcome the vehicle's parasitic load and the natural
self-discharge of the battery.
15.2. Disconnect the NEGATIVE (-) battery
cable to remove the parasitic load, but be sure that
you have saved any security codes or radio stations
presets that will have to be reprogrammed, but the
battery's natural self discharge will continue.
15.3. Replace the battery with the largest
VRLA AGM or Spiral Wound AGM type battery that will
fit, e.g., an Optima or Exide Select Orbital, with
very low self-discharge rates. For periods greater
than three months, also disconnect the NEGATIVE
(-) battery cable to remove the parasitic load.
15.4. Install a battery with a larger
reserve capacity or connect an identical battery in
parallel, but the battery's natural self discharge will
continue.
15.5. Replace the battery when you are
ready to drive the vehicle again, especially if the
battery is over three years old and in a hot climate.
15.6. Have someone drive your car during
the day at highway speeds every two weeks for at least
15 minutes to keep the battery charged.
15.7. Jump start the battery and hope that there is no latent
damage.
15.8. Install a low voltage disconnect.
This is especially helpful if the driver forgets to
turn the headlights off.
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