Will Battery Last 14 Days at Airport?

[0 to 60]

I’m planning to leave the old girl (the car ) at the airport for a fortnight.
Knowing that there are still things that use some (small) amount of battery power when I leave the car; what are the chances that I will return to a flat battery?
I intend to fully charge the battery before I set off.
I've only ever left for short breaks before or arranged for a lift.
Anyone’s experiences or recommendations appreciated.

[Porkupine]

0 to 60 said:

I’m planning to leave the old girl (the car ) at the airport for a fortnight.
Knowing that there are still things that use some (small) amount of battery power when I leave the car; what are the chances that I will return to a flat battery?
I intend to fully charge the battery before I set off.
I've only ever left for short breaks before or arranged for a lift.
Anyone’s experiences or recommendations appreciated.

Assuming you are talking about your 05 boxster, difficult to say really. Does it have original battery? Guess not...if not, which battery replaced it, and when?

This may help answer the question. If it was a newish bosch battery, I would leave it there. Any type of Porsche battery, take some jump leads LOL.

[davek_964]

I left my turbo for 10 or 11 days last summer, and when I got back it turned over like I'd used it an hour ago. I guess it would be less enthusiastic at this time of year though.

If it's a decent condition battery, I'd expect it to be fine - the current draw shouldn't really be enough to flatten the battery in 2 weeks.

[0 to 60]

Battery was replaced (by OPC) 2 years ago.

I keep it regularly topped up with a conditioner.

Think I might chuck a set of jump leads in the boot.

[tuffer]

Regularly leave mine for 2 or 3 weeks with no issues.

[GC8]

Removing the earth strap will make it a good deal more likely.

[Cliftonite]

Invest in a Clarke's jumpstart unit and have peace of mind for years!

Mine is over 10 years old and still works!!

[DKL]

Is the cigarette lighter live with the ignition off? If so you could plug one of those solar conditioners in and leave it on the dash. It won't charge per se but should maintain the level for 2 weeks if you are worried.

[0 to 60]

Yes cigarette lighter is the way I condition battery at home.

Thanks for the suggestion - I never knew solar top-up chargers existed.

I'll get one to save the heartache/jump lead faffing.

[RPM1200]

Think you'll be fine, sounds like the ole girl gets regular exercise.

I can just about get away with 3 weeks with mine, before she starts wingeing, and I have a garage with no power, so dont do any battery conditioning.

Have fun.

[crisisjez]

Most Airport carparks offer a free jumpstart service.

[Magic919]

I wouldn't worry about just two weeks.

[edcs]

0 to 60 said:

Think I might chuck a set of jump leads in the boot.

If you keep them in the boot and end up needing to use them, you might have a little problem

[DKL]

0 to 60 said:

Yes cigarette lighter is the way I condition battery at home.

Thanks for the suggestion - I never knew solar top-up chargers existed.

I'll get one to save the heartache/jump lead faffing.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/solar-powered-12v-1.5w-battery-trickle-charger-98358

and there are plenty larger.

[the other me]

I left mine 14 days in my garage recently. Doubt if the temperature got close to zero even overnight. Battery was brand new (replaced by my OPC F.O.C after previous one knackered) in a 996 turbo.

Battery had JUST enough oompf to start the car (windows dropped /trip counter zeroed as I did ) I then had to drive the car 30 min at night with lights on. Batt voltage was around 12.5/13 which is minimal. After I put car in garage I thought " wonder if it will start" ? . . it didn't.

Batt & Alternator checked by OPC & pronounced fit. I will buy another Bosch Silver Battery at some stage, Porsche batteries are as much use as A Chocolate Teapot for a car that is often a toy/2nd car & so is perhaps not a DD. Would strongly advise having a set of jumps available, or finding out if the parking have an emergency start/supplementary batt on hand (most of them do )

[roygarth]

DKL said:

Is the cigarette lighter live with the ignition off? If so you could plug one of those solar conditioners in and leave it on the dash. It won't charge per se but should maintain the level for 2 weeks if you are worried.

Do they actually work this time of year? I have my doubts.

I'd put a £50 portable battery pack in the boot. Always useful thing to have.

[Magic919]

Please stop suggesting that the boot is a good place to store any insurance against a flat battery.

[davek_964]

Magic919 said:

Please stop suggesting that the boot is a good place to store any insurance against a flat battery.

I'm prepared to believe an official Porsche battery might not start the car in 14 days time, but surely it would be capable of powering the relay that opens the boot? It would have to be very flat indeed to not be able to do that.

[FlybyWyre]

Do not think a Maplin 1.5W solar charger will do anything. 1.5W in bright sunlight perhaps. They make enough electricity to light the LED in the casing and output a few mA.

[David W.]

roygarth said:

Do they actually work this time of year? I have my doubts.

I'd put a £50 portable battery pack in the boot. Always useful thing to have.

Yes they do, and cheap from Maplins. This is the way to go for peace of mind.
dw