stevie_b Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 I'm thinking of fitting a battery isolator to the supra to help preserve battery charge when not in use for a week or two. I can't run mains power to where I keep the supra, so a trickle charger is not an option. 1) Is there a particular one that people recommend? Would this kind of thing be suitable (the top item on the page)? 2) Where should it be fitted? In the engine bay interrupting the -ve battery feed, or in the dashboard somehow (I don't know how this would be possible without extensive and obtrusive cabling)? I've seen this thread where isolator location is discussed, but I guess they're talking about racing cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveR Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 I can't answer your questions, but you might want to check your insurance policy; many state that if the alarm & immob aren't activated at the time of any theft, you'renot covered. I don't know how valid that sort of sentiment would be in the eyes of the law, but I wouldnt want to risk it if at all avoidable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 I have one of these, not fitted yet though. http://www.demon-tweeks.com/products/ProductDetail.asp?cls=MSPORT&pcode=CTKCK-BK-05-B You could wire a seperate supply for the alarm/imob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted December 18, 2008 Author Share Posted December 18, 2008 Good point, I''ll check with them. Mind you, it's a catch-22 situation. If I don't unplug the battery or use an isolator switch, the battery will run flat, which will prevent the alarm from working, which will invalidate my policy... Does anyone have any alternative ideas (apart from driving it more, obviously)? The car's kept in a rental garage, so a solar panel charger will be difficult too. Incidentally, does anyone on here use a solar charger? If so are they any good? I imagine they're as effective as a fart in a hurricane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted December 18, 2008 Author Share Posted December 18, 2008 I have one of these, not fitted yet though. http://www.demon-tweeks.com/products/ProductDetail.asp?cls=MSPORT&pcode=CTKCK-BK-05-B You could wire a seperate supply for the alarm/imob. Holy smoke! That's expensive! When you say "separate supply for the alarm/immob", do you mean putting a second battery in the car? If so, wouldn't that suffer from the same discharge problem as a single battery, albeit slower? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 Holy smoke! That's expensive! When you say "separate supply for the alarm/immob", do you mean putting a second battery in the car? If so, wouldn't that suffer from the same discharge problem as a single battery, albeit slower? I ment off the main battery but have just the alarm powered nothing else. How long are you planning on leaving the car between uses as the stock battery should be fine for about 2 weeks anyway unless its being drained by something other than your alarm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted December 18, 2008 Author Share Posted December 18, 2008 I'll probably leave the car for 2 weeks max between uses. The nice man from the RAC who gave me a jump start yesterday tested the current drain, and he said that it was at a normal level. After about 10 days of non-usage, the battery was flat. Maybe the battery's had it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 Solar powered trickle charger? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 Solar powered trickle charger? http://www.demon-tweeks.com/products/ProductDetail.asp?cls=MSPORT&pcode=GAASOLAR1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted December 18, 2008 Author Share Posted December 18, 2008 Have you used a solar charger? If so, are they up to the job of keeping the battery topped up for, say, 1-2 weeks? See my flatulence-related comment in post #4. If they actually work, I could probably find a way of fixing it on the garage roof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 The better ones work fine. I would imagine you could make your own if you had the inclination. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomgeer Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 The better ones work fine. I would imagine you could make your own if you had the inclination. Hi Chris, I have been having the same problem with my battery of late, with it being icy I try not to use the supra and it can be stood for upto 2-3 weeks sometimes. In your opinion what would be a good solar powered charger to buy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 Dunno, just know that a customer uses one to keep his rarely used race transporter topped up and that has an alarm. I'm too tight for anything like that, I just disconnect the battery I would imagine anything branded should be a fairly safe bet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 Don't say I have no Christmas spirit, I e-mailed him and he was on line, it's this thing here: http://www.caravantechnology.com/30WATTSolarPanel.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomgeer Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 (edited) Don't say I have no Christmas spirit, I e-mailed him and he was on line, it's this thing here: http://www.caravantechnology.com/30WATTSolarPanel.aspx Spot on, cheers Chris Jesus, just seen the price, maybe disconnecting the battery is the better option Edited December 18, 2008 by tomgeer Just seen the price (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaz1 Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 i think homer had one and rated it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJButler Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 Spot on, cheers Chris Jesus, just seen the price, maybe disconnecting the battery is the better option CPC (google it) do one at around £20 i think, 150ma if i'm not mistaken. Should be enough to equal the natural loss of charge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomgeer Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 Cheers, I'll have a look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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