battery tenders/chargers

[rh71]

'95 Rodeo 3.2L - I only use the vehicle once a week - the battery is dead again after a successful jump and 30-min run 3 days ago. I was hoping to get a solar trickle charger or the like but I tested the cig lighter to see if it gets hot without keys in the ignition and it never did so I presume it's not active. Is there another way?

Alternatively - thinking of getting a brand new battery - would it just die soon after? This one was a 2nd-hand battery from another car that has lasted a few months.

 

[beat mania]

Just disconnect the battery when you're letting it sit for the week.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Letting it sit for a week shouldn't drain the battery. Time for a new battery. I'd check the output on your alternator while you're at it.

How far do you drive it when you do drive it?

 

[thedarkwolf]

yeah a week is nothing. You either have something draining it or a weak battery.

 

[DVad3r]

Time for a new battery. I've left my car for months at a time and it hasn't had any problems yet.

 

[MovingTarget]

You probably need a new battery or alternator if it is going down after a week of non-use. A solar trickle charger only delays the inevitable in that case. I know from recent experience with my Caprice. I would recommend a trickle charger if you store your vehicle for longer than that - say for a month or more. They do wonders there. You can get a cheap one that works nicely. (got one off of woot.com for ~$30 a while back)

 

[NutBucket]

Just clip the charger right to the battery terminals and leave it on the windshield?

Failing that, 3 days is rather fast for a battery to discharge. Do you have an alarm?

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I believe he's saying that he only regularly makes one trip a week, and if that's the case then yeah his battery will eventually drain.


For motorcycles I use < 1a trickle chargers. You can a larger float charger for the car, my recommendation is to wire in some sort of quick hookup like us motorcycle guys do

 

[JulesMaximus]

I believe he's saying that he only regularly makes one trip a week, and if that's the case then yeah his battery will eventually drain.


For motorcycles I use < 1a trickle chargers. You can a larger float charger for the car, my recommendation is to wire in some sort of quick hookup like us motorcycle guys do

I've been riding my motorcycle 2-3 days a week but sometimes I might go a week or more without riding it. I throw the charger on it about once a month and this weekend I put the charger on it and the battery was fully charged within 10 minutes.

 

[Garage Detailer]

Sounds like you need a new battery unless you left something turned on, or you have a short creating a drain somewhere. Drive it to Autozone/Checker/Advanced Auto parts store and they can quickly test your alternator and battery for free.

Good luck!

 

[Farang]

I recently bought a trickle charger at Schucks/O'Reilly/Checker that mounts inside the engine compartment. $30. It would be ideal if you can get an extension cord to your car.

Of course test your battery and alternator first, and test for a draw. I'm currently having the same problem except my new battery died even quicker than my old one, after about 3 days only.