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Flat battery avoidance

Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 7:34 pm
by davekmoore
Anyone had any success in fitting the type of device that attaches to the battery and stops it supplying any power to things like lights, if they're left on ( :oops: ) just before it becomes so discharged that it wouldn't be able to start the car?

I understand there may be one that even "wakes up" if the alarm is activated?

Any info?

Re: Flat battery avoidance

Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 9:15 am
by rascal
While I dont have a device to stop power supply, (which wouldnt guarantee against flat battery anyway as batteries still discharge when sitting) I do use a trickle charger when I put my car in the shed (It only gets drĂ­ven once a month) and this has ensured I always have a fully charged battery when I go to use the car next (and saved my bacon once when I forgot to close the door properly and the interior light stayed on)

Re: Flat battery avoidance

Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 10:34 am
by bruce
Ask Rocky, I think he's done a lot of research.

Re: Flat battery avoidance

Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 11:47 am
by sliq
a trickle charger should do the trick.

what bruce said, do a search on rocky's posts. lots of information on it when i was doing some research.

Re: Flat battery avoidance

Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 12:11 pm
by WASP
There are "trickle chargers"on the market,I use one, that can be left on all the time and shut down automatically when the battery is charged to prevent overcharging.They are not expensive.
WASP

Re: Flat battery avoidance

Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 12:51 pm
by de Bounce
davekmoore wrote:Anyone had any success in fitting the type of device that attaches to the battery and stops it supplying any power to things like lights, if they're left on ( :oops: ) just before it becomes so discharged that it wouldn't be able to start the car?

I understand there may be one that even "wakes up" if the alarm is activated?

Any info?

I think this is what you are after, both sourced from the states:

The Battery Brain is an automotive accessory product that easily installs onto the battery of a regular or custom car, truck, SUV, van, or RV. It uses unique electronic technology to ensure the battery always maintains enough power to start the engine.
There are a couple of different versions listed HERE

Another is the Priority Start which monitors battery voltage and automatically disconnects any undesired drain on your battery as the voltage reduces, when the engine is not running. The disconnect threshold is factory set at 11.7 Volts.

Re: Flat battery avoidance

Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 8:04 pm
by davekmoore
Thanks de Bounce.

Those are indeed the type of thing I need. Still can't see if they would wake up if the alarm was triggered. I'll find out more from your kindly provided links and report back.

Thanks for the suggestions from others for clever chargers. The car is a daily high mileage user though, so shouldn't be getting a flat battery overnight unless I leave the lights on or the boot open, or the battery reaches the end of its life.

Re: Flat battery avoidance

Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 4:20 pm
by Mr Morlock
For a daily driver these devices sound more like a solution without a problem.

Re: Flat battery avoidance

Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 10:19 am
by davekmoore
Mr Morlock wrote:For a daily driver these devices sound more like a solution without a problem.


Unless, of course, as revealed in the first post, the driver (me) is capable of stupidity.