Battery discharging while in storage

DeltaMustang65 · 03-24-2006, 02:04 PM

I know this is probably a simple problem, but I have to ask because I've never stored my car before and I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong. Since last fall, I've had my mustang in the garage. I changed the insurance to the basic stuff (fire, theft, etc) and I haven't driven it since last fall. I start it up weekly for about 10 minutes just to keep things nice and oily. My problem is that about a month ago, the car didn't quite want to start because the battery was weak, so I ended up jumpstarting it. I also unhooked the cables from the battery after that, thinking that something was sucking up the juice. Then last week, the same thing happened, but this time I ran the car for about 20 minutes instead of 10 in hopes that the alternator would charge the battery up more fully. I guess what I'm asking is how do I make sure I don't kill my battery when I'm not driving the car regularly?

06_GT_Hawaii · 03-24-2006, 05:46 PM

The only sure way to keep your battery somewhat charged in storage is to disconnect the cables.

When you do run it, you need to run it for more than 10 or 20 minutes to 'charge' the battery.

How old is the battery? What brand is it? Could be just at the end of its life... not running a car over a year or two for more than 10 minutes at a time will kill a battery a LOT faster than you think.

Have your battery tested. If it's good, and you want to store it, take the battery out of the vehicle. Store it somewhere dry and cool. Don't put it on the ground, especially not concrete or metal. Put it up on some wood blocks. Up off the ground and isolated from anything that can carry current.

You may just need a new battery.

DeltaMustang65 · 03-24-2006, 08:23 PM

The battery is a Die Hard, and it's barely a year old. I've been unhooking it recently. I've also started running the car about 20 minutes at a time instead of 10, once a week. Does it need to run longer to charge the battery fully after the car is started? I don't think I've even read anything on the subject before, so I may just keep running it for longer and longer periods until I find that it's not having this problem anymore.

okiedragster · 03-24-2006, 11:03 PM

hey matt, i use to have the same problem with alot of stuff i was storing, but i bought 2 trickle chargers that is simular to the one i put in the link. i put one on my golf cart and one one my car in the winter and swap it with my lawn mower and other stuff just to give um a zap ever now and then, if your storing in a cold area that itself can kill a batterys life, i seem to be getting more life outta my batterys now using the chargers....hope this helps ya..
http://cgi.ebay.com/12-Volt-Battery-...ayphotohosting

Gearhead999 · 03-25-2006, 06:36 AM

The battery may be bad, age really doesn't mean much. Plus, if the mustang has a generator vs an alternator it isn't getting much of a charge at idle. Generators don't put out much at idle.

Get a "Battery Tender". It is like a small charger, but won't overcharge a battery if left on the battery for extended time. Even a "trickle charger", which is usually a very low amp charger will overcharge the battery when left on. The "Battery Tender" maintains the battery at a voltage level just below where the water starts to boil off.
They're cheap to $50-60.

Quick question....what about the gas?? It is getting old and running the car doesn't change the age of the gas.

Maroon 5.0 LX · 03-25-2006, 07:57 AM

If you have an electrical outlet near the car, go to a car parts store or Sears and get a $20 "float charger".

Otherwise, take the battery out and use a float charger. The activity of the float charger will increase the life of the battery as opposed to just sitting.

DeltaMustang65 · 03-26-2006, 02:33 PM

Thanks guys. I think I'm gonna go looking around this week for a charger of some sort. Any suggestions for a good brand? If I get one I want something that's gonna last a long time, since I'm probably gonna be playing with classics forever. Oh, and about the gas, I think it's fine. I put sta-bil in the tank and every few days when I'm bored I go sit on the back of the car and jump up and down just to keep things mixed up. haha does anyone else do that? I can't be the only one. Honestly I don't even know if it works, I just started doing it one day.

03-24-2006, 02:04 PM	#1
DeltaMustang65 Knuckle-Basher Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 249	Battery discharging while in storage I know this is probably a simple problem, but I have to ask because I've never stored my car before and I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong. Since last fall, I've had my mustang in the garage. I changed the insurance to the basic stuff (fire, theft, etc) and I haven't driven it since last fall. I start it up weekly for about 10 minutes just to keep things nice and oily. My problem is that about a month ago, the car didn't quite want to start because the battery was weak, so I ended up jumpstarting it. I also unhooked the cables from the battery after that, thinking that something was sucking up the juice. Then last week, the same thing happened, but this time I ran the car for about 20 minutes instead of 10 in hopes that the alternator would charge the battery up more fully. I guess what I'm asking is how do I make sure I don't kill my battery when I'm not driving the car regularly?

03-24-2006, 05:46 PM	#2
06_GT_Hawaii Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Hawaii Posts: 21	Re: Battery discharging while in storage The only sure way to keep your battery somewhat charged in storage is to disconnect the cables. When you do run it, you need to run it for more than 10 or 20 minutes to 'charge' the battery. How old is the battery? What brand is it? Could be just at the end of its life... not running a car over a year or two for more than 10 minutes at a time will kill a battery a LOT faster than you think. Have your battery tested. If it's good, and you want to store it, take the battery out of the vehicle. Store it somewhere dry and cool. Don't put it on the ground, especially not concrete or metal. Put it up on some wood blocks. Up off the ground and isolated from anything that can carry current. You may just need a new battery. __________________ '06 GT Mustang (I am a MOPAR convert) I buy my Mustang stuff at: cafepress.com/mustang_GT HAPPINESS IS 300 HP

03-24-2006, 08:23 PM	#3
DeltaMustang65 Knuckle-Basher Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 249	Re: Battery discharging while in storage The battery is a Die Hard, and it's barely a year old. I've been unhooking it recently. I've also started running the car about 20 minutes at a time instead of 10, once a week. Does it need to run longer to charge the battery fully after the car is started? I don't think I've even read anything on the subject before, so I may just keep running it for longer and longer periods until I find that it's not having this problem anymore.

03-24-2006, 11:03 PM	#4
okiedragster Drag Racer and Mach1 Addict Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: southern oklahoma Posts: 85	Re: Battery discharging while in storage hey matt, i use to have the same problem with alot of stuff i was storing, but i bought 2 trickle chargers that is simular to the one i put in the link. i put one on my golf cart and one one my car in the winter and swap it with my lawn mower and other stuff just to give um a zap ever now and then, if your storing in a cold area that itself can kill a batterys life, i seem to be getting more life outta my batterys now using the chargers....hope this helps ya.. http://cgi.ebay.com/12-Volt-Battery-...ayphotohosting __________________ -FOR SALE- SUPER COMP DRAGSTER My 71 Mach 1

03-25-2006, 06:36 AM	#5
Gearhead999 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Oviedo, FL Posts: 992	Re: Battery discharging while in storage The battery may be bad, age really doesn't mean much. Plus, if the mustang has a generator vs an alternator it isn't getting much of a charge at idle. Generators don't put out much at idle. Get a "Battery Tender". It is like a small charger, but won't overcharge a battery if left on the battery for extended time. Even a "trickle charger", which is usually a very low amp charger will overcharge the battery when left on. The "Battery Tender" maintains the battery at a voltage level just below where the water starts to boil off. They're cheap to $50-60. Quick question....what about the gas?? It is getting old and running the car doesn't change the age of the gas. __________________ "Support our Troops" Dave 1968 Cougar 2004 Thunderbird 2007 F150 Harley-Davidson, SuperCrew 1986 LTD 1997 Ranger 1992 Honda Civic

03-25-2006, 07:57 AM	#6
Maroon 5.0 LX Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 471	Re: Battery discharging while in storage If you have an electrical outlet near the car, go to a car parts store or Sears and get a $20 "float charger". Otherwise, take the battery out and use a float charger. The activity of the float charger will increase the life of the battery as opposed to just sitting. __________________ '89 LX 5.0 - 5 speed. Original Owner '94 E-150 4.9 Hi-Top Conversion Van '06 Mustang V-6, 5 speed

03-26-2006, 02:33 PM	#7
DeltaMustang65 Knuckle-Basher Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 249	Re: Battery discharging while in storage Thanks guys. I think I'm gonna go looking around this week for a charger of some sort. Any suggestions for a good brand? If I get one I want something that's gonna last a long time, since I'm probably gonna be playing with classics forever. Oh, and about the gas, I think it's fine. I put sta-bil in the tank and every few days when I'm bored I go sit on the back of the car and jump up and down just to keep things mixed up. haha does anyone else do that? I can't be the only one. Honestly I don't even know if it works, I just started doing it one day.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
battery dies after a few hrs ??!! help..	fongo	Windsor Power	6	08-23-2005 01:09 AM
Battery Draining When Car is Off	RMARIANI	Windsor Power	6	06-17-2005 03:29 PM
Out of storage	RMARIANI	Windsor Power	3	06-15-2004 07:51 AM
Battery..Solenoid..Starter problem	abesmith69	Windsor Power	6	04-09-2003 09:39 AM
Battery not charging	Mustang_289	Windsor Power	8	01-04-2002 07:07 AM