little drama today - phew

[bluespit]

I've been working on the midget for a month and the Z has been tucked away in the lockup.

Thought I'd better take it for a run today as I had a free hour. Battery flat, totally flat, not a light not a whimper, nothing.

Back home to collect the porta pack (rated OK for up to 2000cc) and another try. First go, lots of clicking and whirring but no engine turnover. Second try more clicking and whirring and a short engine turn over before the porta pack died. On the basis of 'well its dead but maybe it isnt really" I gave it one more try....


and




and



and it fired, ran nicely and off I went for a 40 mile romp - roof down obviously. 4 degrees and thick fog over the horseshoe pass.


Question. After 4 week would you expect the battery to be that dead or would a new battery be in order?

 

[Number5]

I had the same last year. After about a month and I'd even give it a good 100 mile run before putting it away..
I ended up paying £80 for a battery come spring, so this year Ive gone for the CTEK trickle charger on the bais that £42 will protect me for a number of years.

 

[paulgs1000]

What driving had you been doing before you parked the Zed up? Short runs in the dark with lights heater rear screen and music on will drain a less than perfect battery this time of year, otherwise, I'd say it's time for a new battery - unless. . . . did you leave any internal lights on?

 

[bluespit]

HI, I have a couple of CTEKs but theres no power in the lockup. Never left it that long unused before.

cheers

 

[mr wilks]

A month is a long time to leave a Z without running or trickle charge whether the battery is new or not
Unless the battery is fully goosed it should come to life with a conditioner but if it does look old £70 or so isn't a huge amount for a new battery https://www.tayna.co.uk/ then look to keep it topped up with a trickle charger when not in use

 

[bluespit]

What driving had you been doing before you parked the Zed up? Short runs in the dark with lights heater rear screen and music on will drain a less than perfect battery this time of year, otherwise, I'd say it's time for a new battery - unless. . . . did you leave any internal lights on?

its not a daily and isnt getting as much use in the winter and it did in Autumn and will in spring/summer. last drive was 1/2 mile to the lockup but before that it wouldn't do less than 15 miles in daytime, usually roof down.

new battery won't break the bank...

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Mine won't last a week unused.

 

[paulgs1000]

What driving had you been doing before you parked the Zed up? Short runs in the dark with lights heater rear screen and music on will drain a less than perfect battery this time of year, otherwise, I'd say it's time for a new battery - unless. . . . did you leave any internal lights on?

its not a daily and isnt getting as much use in the winter and it did in Autumn and will in spring/summer. last drive was 1/2 mile to the lockup but before that it wouldn't do less than 15 miles in daytime, usually roof down.

new battery won't break the bank...

In the past where I've had problems like this that's been the answer

 

[firebobby]

HI, I have a couple of CTEKs but theres no power in the lockup. Never left it that long unused before.

cheers

How about something like this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-5-Watt-12-Volt-Solar-Panel-Trickle-Car-Battery-Charger-Free-Delivery-/251725929460?hash=item3a9c08dbf4:g:jwgAAOSw~gRVuflx

 

[bluespit]

HI, I have a couple of CTEKs but theres no power in the lockup. Never left it that long unused before.

cheers

How about something like this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-5-Watt-12-Volt-Solar-Panel-Trickle-Car-Battery-Charger-Free-Delivery-/251725929460?hash=item3a9c08dbf4:g:jwgAAOSw~gRVuflx

yes, wondered about a solar charger but not sure if it would work through the lighter socket - isnt it dead with the ignition off? Would it mess with the alarm??

anyone use one?

 

[buzyg]

Great you got out for a spot of topless fun.

I try not leave mine more than two weeks without putting it on trickle charge. The tracker company text me when it's low. That tends to be after about three weeks. Still on the original battery.

 

[firebobby]

HI, I have a couple of CTEKs but theres no power in the lockup. Never left it that long unused before.

cheers

How about something like this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-5-Watt-12-Volt-Solar-Panel-Trickle-Car-Battery-Charger-Free-Delivery-/251725929460?hash=item3a9c08dbf4:g:jwgAAOSw~gRVuflx

yes, wondered about a solar charger but not sure if it would work through the lighter socket - isnt it dead with the ignition off? Would it mess with the alarm??

anyone use one?

Not sure, but how about wiring a spare lighter socket to crocodile clips, then fit it straight on the battery

 

[bluespit]

guess so

battery £53 from Eurocarparts.................

 

[Smartbear]

HI, I have a couple of CTEKs but theres no power in the lockup. Never left it that long unused before.

cheers

How about something like this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-5-Watt-12-Volt-Solar-Panel-Trickle-Car-Battery-Charger-Free-Delivery-/251725929460?hash=item3a9c08dbf4:g:jwgAAOSw~gRVuflx

yes, wondered about a solar charger but not sure if it would work through the lighter socket - isnt it dead with the ignition off? Would it mess with the alarm??

anyone use one?

Hi, I connected my solar charger through the lighter socket in my e85 & it stayed live with the ignition off
Rob

 

[NickDE]

yes, wondered about a solar charger but not sure if it would work through the lighter socket - isnt it dead with the ignition off? Would it mess with the alarm??anyone use one?

My E46 can drain it's battery in two weeks if left alone in the winter. This is down to the various electronic widgets monitoring stuff and flashing red lights, and not a weak battery. Not sure about the E86 yet, but I expect it will be similar.
I have a solar charger for the E46. It does seem to keep the battery alive a bit longer. All BMWs have permanently connected lighters so that's the easiest way to connect.

I've just invested in a CTEK and a long extension lead to plug in whichever of the E46 and E86 is currently having a rest.

 

[bluespit]

thanks for the above

battery or solar charger, or both.

could wifey buy me a charger for xmas?

60 miles planned tomorrow in the midget - roof down obviously.

 

[Smartbear]

thanks for the above

battery or solar charger, or both.

could wifey buy me a charger for xmas?

60 miles planned tomorrow in the midget - roof down obviously.

Hi, intelligent battery tender preferably or a solar one as a last resort if no power available-they're better than nothing but can't match a mains powered ctek etc
Rob

 

[bluespit]

like I said, the lockup has no power, the garages at home do obviously so I have two CTEKs at home for which ever cars are in there - usually the Z4 and the Stag. The Midget needs a little work so I've fetched it home to work on so the Z has moved into the lockup.

Such a first world problem and trivial compared to the post I've just read by john-89!