Mk3 Hybrid Battery Going Flat ?

[Riggers 116]

I've heard a( possibly ill informed) rumour that if you leave the car unused for more than a couple of weeks the Battery will discharge so much that you can't start it. Is that true?.

Thanks

Terry

[Cyker]

It depends on the condition of the Battery, but it is very possible.

Is a bigger problem on modern cars as they have quite a high load even when off, and the newer HSDs have developed a slight reputation for it here due to their very small 12v batteries and what we think are bugs in the remote keyless unlocking system

.

[Riggers 116]

Thanks. Ours has the keyless option and we will be leaving it for up to 5 weeks at a time. I'm wondering whether to leave it on trickle charge from my mains Battery charger or to just recharge when we get home. It's in a locked garage so I'm also wondering if it helps to leave it unlocked? Or are there any other solutions?

Terry

[Mike169]

Hi Mod's.

I wrote a longish reply to this thread but only half of it appeared, is there a limit as to how many lines we can upload?

Thank you, Mike.

[CPN]

It's because you somehow messed up the link you posted...

[CPN]

(there is no limit I'm aware of...)

[martswain]

I have had 4 Hybrids, 2 Prius, Lexus CT and now a Yaris which has just had it's first birthday.

I go to Thailand regularly for up to 34 days a time and I always leave the car unlocked in a secure garage.

I have the keyless entry system and the key stays well away from the car, hidden in my house.

Before I leave the car I make sure the radio, internal lights and fan are all switched off for my return.

All my cars have started first time without any problems on their original batteries, but I should add none have been over 2.5 years old.

[Mike169]

Hi Terry.

I feel cars today have so many systems that constantly use power from the Battery i personally would put the Battery on charge before you leave it for several weeks as once the power level of the Battery drops too low the alarm system will go off annoying your neighbours and quite possibly you will loose some presets on your car, like radio stations.

Because you want to leave your car so long i don't think an 'older' trickle charger will be ok but a more modern type, an 'intelligent' one would be safer in regards of overheating/fire. I have no connection with this company but something like:-

http://www.ctekchargers.co.uk/ctek-mxs5.0.php

would be good for your needs and don't forget to leave your keys a long way away from the car when you go away.

A friend of mine has an Aston Martin DB7 and has one of these chargers but a different model as they are prone to the battery going flat when the car is left for too long and the car is actually built with a charging socket in the boot. Aston Martin sell this make of charger with their own label on it and of course charge a lot more money because of their Badge.

I know of a guy that leaves his Porsche in airport car parks for say 2 weeks and uses a solar panel behind the windscreen, less tint in the glass, to make sure his car will start when he wants to use it.

Let us know what you decide and how you get on.

(Oh and thanks Colin for your reply and comment)

Regards Mike.

[Riggers 116]

Thanks guys

All great information. I'm going to monitor the Battery voltage over a few days while we are home an try and to extrapolate the discharge rate for while we are away. I will leave it unlocked in the garage and keep the keys 25' away.

I have a Ctek charger on my canal boat and have found it to be very good so the suggested one could be the solution if required. I've also got a small solar panel that I used on the previous car (much less sophisticated non hybrid) when parked at a marina, I dont think it made much difference though as the car started Ok even when I didnt use the panel.

I'll report back on how I get on.

Terry

[FROSTYBALLS]

Hi Mod's.

I wrote a longish reply to this thread but only half of it appeared, is there a limit as to how many lines we can upload?

Thank you, Mike.

No - an example of a long post is the following: http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/132178-charliefarlies-guide-to-the-toyota-2ad-diesel-engine-and-its-issues/

Sometimes if you try copying a photo or link directly from a web page, that can cause issues.

[Mike169]

Hi Terry.

I have a power boat/cabin cruiser with 2 x Ctek chargers on it to charge 4 batteries wired in 2 banks, which marine model Ctek charger do you have as i am sure even if it is a large capacity one they are capable of giving out a very low amperage, (If it's not to hard to get off your canal boat that is?)

Hi Mike.

Yes even though i left spaces before and after the link i put up i think it was that was the reason why only half my previous post would upload hence why i spaced it well apart this time.

Hope all is good with you both, Mike.

[martswain]

If you do decide to leave it on charge, just remember that the Battery is under the back seat, so make sure there is plenty of ventilation in the area.

[Riggers 116]

Thanks for the advice, I guess I'll leave a window open when charging. Is it a sealed Battery? Or a fancy AGM. The charger I have on the boat is a C teck XS2500, which does up to 25A. It hardly gets used now as I have a solar panel on the roof.

Terry

[Mike169]

Hi Terry, thats quite a powerful Battery charger and if i am correct have to be mounted vertically as they have a cooling fan inside. What's good about them is they 'work' the Battery as opposed to just topping it up. The choice is yours of course wether you put it on before you go or not but i have 2 very similar ones on my boat that are on 24/7 and have no problems.

Regards Mike.

[Riggers 116]

Hi Mike

The charger isnt that big and doesn't have a fan. I'll probably leave it in the boat as its well installed and as you say a bit big. I'm looking at a maintenance chareger such as the Optimate.

Regards

Terry

[Mike169]

Hi Terry

The Optimate is an excellent charger and perhaps the best route to go.

When i Googled your Ctek charger (But i noted you spelt it Cteck) XS2500

http://www.acdconline.com.au/product.aspx?ID=639

Above is just a site i found it on it looks very similar to the 2 on my boat

http://www.ctekchargers.co.uk/ctek-m200.php

Above is the site i bought mine from, perhaps they have changed the spec as mine have to be mounted vertically re warranty and have an internal fan and even a night mode to stop the fans wirring in keeping you awake depending on where they are mounted. Mine also have ring terminals instead of croc. clips and the charging cable is quite heavy.

But as said the Optimate is a very well rated intelligent charger and not too expensive and i am sure will serve your needs.

Regards Mike.