battery question - cold and sporadic use

[cadfaeltex]

I got in my Jag XJS the other day (about a week and a half ago) and it wouldn't start. It was one of the coldest days during this up and down winter here in Kansas. I'm not driving it as much with my back out (e.g. would have probably driven it twice since that first time so about 3 times in 2 weeks). I can't charge it in the car with a trickle charger due to lack of power in my little car port (across a busy alley).

Here's the options I've thought of:
1. leave it alone until I drive it more with the battery in the car.
2.Take the battery out and store it inside (basement).
3. Jump it and drive it to a good charge (how long would that even be?)
4. Take the battery out and trickle charge it (btw would need to buy a trickle charger)
5. Leave the car outside and trickle charge it in the car (least favorite option).

So what would you do in my case?


TIA,
Tony

 

[crazyoildude]

one thing about owning a jag... nice car but it needs a lot of attention if you want to be able to drive it!
i have a 2002 sitting in the back of the shop engine is great (ford) got car free because the person that owned it was fed up with the dealer robbing them as he put it.
i exchanged a rebuilt engine for sons nissan sentra for the Jag

 

[Warstud]

I would personally take it out and put it in the basement to thaw out first. Then either trickle charge it in the garage or in the car.

 

[rpn453]

I'd buy a new battery. It should be able to last far longer than that between usage. I'd have no confidence in a battery that completely discharged so easily.

 

[3311]

Originally Posted By: rpn453
I'd buy a new battery. It should be able to last far longer than that between usage. I'd have no confidence in a battery that completely discharged so easily.
I would second this.

If it was dead(low specific gravity electrolyte freezes) and in below freezing temps then it could frozen anyway leaving it destroyed.

 

[cadfaeltex]

Should be under warranty, Just got it last April.

 

[Donald]

You take the chance of the battery freezing if its dead. Also you really should not charge it or jump the car if the battery is actually frozen. I would pull the battery, let it sit a day or two inside someplace heated. Then fully charge it with AC charger, then have it tested. If its bad then get it replaced.

The battery should last say 2 -3 months and still be able to start the car. You may have left a dome light on or something else. I would not blame the battery until you do due diligence.

The best test is a carbon pile tester where they put a load = 1/2 the CCA for 15 seconds and read the voltage at the end of 15 seconds, temp compensated just before the load is disconnected. Hard for a battery to pass that test and still be bad. But it needs to be done with battery fully charged.

 

[cadfaeltex]

Took it back to oreilly's and it tested good. They tried charging it but it wasn't taking a charge well enough after an hour so they replaced it. It's been back above freezing here for a few days. In the mid 40's today and 50's yesterday (after it snowed in the morning). Weather has been all over the place.

 

[Donald]

I would still look for things left on. Check the vehicle when its dark out. You may have missed something.

 

[eljefino]

A hobby car like this I'd get one of those battery disconnect things. For all we know it could save the car from a fire if mice get into that carport, and into the wiring.

link

 

[morris]

5