Brand New Car Battery Query

[barry1010]

I gave my neighbour a jump start this morning (oy!) and she asked me how long a new battery would last sat in her garage in case her old battery failed again.  I don't know and I told her I would ask my personal experts - that means you.

Her battery is only a couple of years old, it doesn't need replacing - she simply had used the car for a while.

[nicebloke1]

Look at the date on the back before buying. A new battery has a 12 month shelf life before needing recharging

[barry1010]

That's interesting, thank you 

[gingejbee]

If she has power in the garage, a much better option would be to get a decent modern (intelligent) charger and use it whenever she won't need to use the car for a while. Buying a new battery and leaving it unused for a long time is not a good idea.

A decent charger (C-Tek being amongst the best) can have the wiring permanently fitted with just a small socket in the radiator grille - no need to lift the bonnet to put the battery on charge.

[barry1010]

A great idea, thanks, ginge

[nicebloke1]

Look for one that has 2023/2024 half way through 2023 will be fine. Should a battery spend the full 12 months on the shelf they fast charge them. But not many batteries do. 

[barry1010]

I will tell her both options and recommend a trickle charger.

[retrocop]

I always keep a large capacity 12volt  battery in my workshop in case I should need a jump start. I have a solar panel hanging inside the workshop window which gives the battery a slow trickle charge all year rond.It was designed mainly for caravan owners who have left their vans on site for a while. It either connects direct to the battery via crocodile clips or has another cable with a cigar socket plug. It has served me well for about 6 years now and going strong.

[retrocop]

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/battery-maintenance/battery-accessories/halfords-solar-maintainer-20w-496286.html

You can get bigger wattage output ones.

[barry1010]

Thanks, retro

[Hymie]

Whilst a new battery sitting of a shelf might not need recharging for a year or longer, fitted to a modern vehicle drawing only 30mA will flatten a 60Ah battery in less than 2 months.

 

Be aware that the solar trickle-charge units that use a cigar lighter plug connection won’t work if the battery power to the lighter socket is isolated with the vehicle ignition off – that is why one option includes an OBD plug for battery connection.

[barry1010]

Thanks, Hymie.

[mjwman]

Trickle charge like CTEK prolongs the batrry life. 

But as an alternative a starter pack is small cheaspish and can be kept in the glove box.

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/product-group-tests/92728/best-mini-jump-starter-packs

[gingejbee]

Yes, these starter packs are an OK solution to a flat battery...but I'd prefer to avoid the flat battery in the first place - hence, my trickle charger suggestion.