Battery Conditioner or Isolator???

[Guest]

Further to my separate thread on the subject of outdoor car covers, my car is now "under-cover" on the driveway! []
On the basis that I will probably use the car relatively infequently over the winter, due to salt on the roads etc, I require to research the subject of keeping the battery in peak condition. I purchased a new battery from Halfords, earlier this year, which came with a four year guarantee. Should I buy a battery conditioner which presumably needs to be connected to the mains to do its job, or a battery isolator to cut the supply.
I'm not particularly technically minded, so please excuse the following if I'm well off the mark. [&:]
The problem, as far as I can see, with the battery conditioner, is the fact that I'll need to plug it in at the house and have a lead stretched from a window to the battery - not ideal!
Similarly, I guess that the downside with an isolator is that it might mess around with the engine management etc when I reconnect the battery.

Am I anything like correct here? [8|]

Which is best?

 

[Melv]

"The problem, as far as I can see, with the battery conditioner, is the fact that I'll need to plug it in at the house and have a lead stretched from a window to the battery - not ideal!"

Or along the ground? The socket outlet at the end of the lead can be left in the car, but at least the battery will be topped up.

"Similarly, I guess that the downside with an isolator is that it might mess around with the engine management etc when I reconnect the battery. "

No downside at all -nearly always kill mine in the garage and on the trailer, still functions OK. But why don't you take the battery out to put on conditioner in the house?

Have you ever considered USING the car????

[]

Melv

 

[Guest]

Cheers Melv. I can assure you that the car is most certainly used. Have only got 400 miles left on my 5000 mile policy and two months left to share those miles between!!! However, am well above the snow-line where I live and am just not prepared to drive the car around with the imminent salt on the roads. I love it too much!! []
Hadn't thought about taking the battery out to charge it, so thanks for that.

 

[Fen]

I bought a solar conditioner a few weeks ago. I could say it's really good but to be honest I haven't used the car since I bought it so I don't know.

I can use the solar one because I don't have a coverand after hearing Roger Bray (the 356 restorer) talk about the damage they can do I wouldn't use one - sorry I missed your thread where it wouldn't have been too late to tell you that...

 

[Melv]

ORIGINAL: Derek Brien
400 miles left on my 5000 mile policy and two months left to share those miles between!!!

Dunno who you are with, but AON thru Royal & Sun Alliance allow one to buy extra mileage in 500 mile increments.

Melv

 

[Diver944]

Bear in mind that if you take the battery out then the electronic tailgate will not work, this is even if you use the key. You will have to crawl through from the front of the car, pull down the carpet and pull on the cable. I think the doorlocks will work but am not sure.

I use a Carcoon conditioner and can recommend them, see the ad in PP, cheapest to buy direct from them.

 

[Fen]

Well my solar one is rubbish though to be fair the alarm tries to go off randomly (the horn is disconnected) which probably draws a bit to flash the indicators for what seemslike ages every time.

I didn't even have enough juice to eject my CD today when I tried it.