New car battery -how long should charge last ?

AdrianC

Think about what's still powered even when it's "switched off".

Alarm.
Remote locking receiver.
Stereo memory.
ECU memories.

If you're going to leave a car unused for an extended period, especially during the colder months, leave it on a trickle charger or disconnect the battery and lock it manually.

tedted

you have not said what car you have as a lot of cars have a sleep mode if there is a problem it can cause a high battery drain

flashg67

I have an AA branded trickle charger that is permanently connected to a little used 2nd acr which has worked well for several months, (after killing 2 batteries within months previously through recharging from flat)

facade

My "other car" sits unused for weeks at a time (yes, the moneysaving thing would be to hire a sedan chair for the journeys it does, but it is my choice to keep a 4x4).
I found the battery was too flat to start it after 3 weeks or so.
I have it connected to an optimate charger all the time it is parked up on the drive. Been on for about 7 years now.

I suppose if you calculate the cost of the optimate, and the mains electricity used, a new battery every year and a jumpstart every month would have been cheaper, but it is always ready to go with a fully charged battery.

mchale

Could be a faulty battery, if it's totally dead IE no lights on, clock/radio lost settings then sum thing has drained it, if it's got a bit of life in it then could well be a faulty battery.

Dakota_Deville

Hi

Depedns on the size of the battery and the weather. If very cold over weeks as it has been in January, it could be because of that. Noramlly, batteries should hold out for 4/6 weeks in my judgement and longer in nice warm/hot weather.