12 replies to this topic

[kmidderigh]

Been trying to keep driving the Vx even in this awful weather at least once a week to keep the battery topped up.....usually go for about an hours drive on the dual carrige way - think this is enough to give it a reasonable charge ?

 

....battery is a recent Bosch Silver one....  

[Wolfstone]

Buy a CTEK battery conditioner and keep in plugged in when not in use.  With the money you save in petrol it'll pay for itself in one winter.  Simples.

 

This is a good indication of price:

 

http://www.hickleys....s/ctekmxs50.php

 

 

Edited by Wolfstone, 03 January 2014 - 01:18 PM.

[ghand]

More than enough to top up your battery. Ten mins driving would be plenty to just top it up if it's not flat. When I was not using mine I just fired it up in the garage and left it running till the temp came on 10 mins max once a week and it never went flat. Had no alarm or anything drawing current though.

[Andrew aka Stuwy]

I miss read this when I first looked, I though it said how long to change the battery whist driving...

 

I was thinking that damn good going if you managed it

[kmidderigh]

Thanks good to know my hour is sufficient (quite enjoy practicing bad weather driving occassionally anyway :-)

 

have a solar panel charger to keep it topped up but that required the window to be cracked open for the cable and no way doing that in this weather - usually charge it with the cover on but been finding more issues due to damp with the cover on (even though its meant to be breathable cover) then off so leaving it off. (most frequent problem is ABS light on - soon as the car dries out it goes away.....but doesnt happen in rain with cover off...wrong sort of damp..  )

 

no space in garage for car....

[Rickwoo118]

Thanks good to know my hour is sufficient (quite enjoy practicing bad weather driving occassionally anyway :-)   have a solar panel charger to keep it topped up but that required the window to be cracked open for the cable and no way doing that in this weather - usually charge it with the cover on but been finding more issues due to damp with the cover on (even though its meant to be breathable cover) then off so leaving it off. (most frequent problem is ABS light on - soon as the car dries out it goes away.....but doesnt happen in rain with cover off...wrong sort of damp..  )   no space in garage for car....

What car cover do you have then? I used a Stormforce cover before and had no issues with condensation, damp etc. BTW the hours charge whilst driving is more than enough.

[siztenboots]

the Bosch 063 is 44AH , so if your alternator supplied 44A , it would take an hour. Although the charging rate is exponential , high to begin then the load will taper off quickly

[slindborg]

Depends on how cold it is when you crank the engine over too...

[turbo boy]

I have left mine for over 4 weeks without driving. However, I do not lock it or alarm it so that saves the drain on the battery. It hasnt been nicked yet either !

[Rickwoo118]

I have left mine for over 4 weeks without driving. However, I do not lock it or alarm it so that saves the drain on the battery. It hasnt been nicked yet either !

That's good for Newark.....thought there were loads of pikies there?

[jonnyboy]

VXs are pretty good at been left. An hour or half an hour every week or two should keep it acceptable. As mentioned a battery conditioner is the best way to keep it in tip top condition. 

[kmidderigh]

 

Thanks good to know my hour is sufficient (quite enjoy practicing bad weather driving occassionally anyway :-)   have a solar panel charger to keep it topped up but that required the window to be cracked open for the cable and no way doing that in this weather - usually charge it with the cover on but been finding more issues due to damp with the cover on (even though its meant to be breathable cover) then off so leaving it off. (most frequent problem is ABS light on - soon as the car dries out it goes away.....but doesnt happen in rain with cover off...wrong sort of damp..  )   no space in garage for car....

What car cover do you have then? I used a Stormforce cover before and had no issues with condensation, damp etc. BTW the hours charge whilst driving is more than enough.

 

 

cant remember the make of the cover but got it from Halfords (which possibly wasn't the best idea....)

[turbo boy]

Posted Yesterday, 04:28 PM turbo boy, on 03 Jan 2014 - 4:00 PM, said: I have left mine for over 4 weeks without driving. However, I do not lock it or alarm it so that saves the drain on the battery. It hasnt been nicked yet either ! That's good for Newark.....thought there were loads of pikies there? Funny man Rickwoo! And you are right - From the film Snatch "I hate f***** pikes!" But fortunately theres not any metal in a VX worth weighing in LOL. Jon