One Month Summer Storage

335 S · 06-27-2009, 12:23 PM

Do I need to put my trickle/float charger on for an indoor summer one month storage?

Thanks

drey · 06-27-2009, 12:35 PM

Better to just disconnect your battery, I would think.

JCtx · 06-27-2009, 02:34 PM

If you fully charge the battery while 'asleep', you should be okay IMO. But if you just park the car, by the time the car goes to 'sleep' battery is considerably discharged. I based that on the fact that with a full charge, when I use the car and charge it again, it takes a while before the 80%-charge green light starts blinking. All kinds of things run for a while (tranny cooler, stereo amplifier cooler, etc). Otherwise just disconnect the negative terminal, as suggested. Take care.

mdrobc13 · 06-28-2009, 03:07 AM

I ran a Solar charger thru my cigarette lighter while I was deployed overseas for 5 months to Afghanistan right after getting my m3 and it worked like a charm and cost me $0.00 in electrical charges/cost other than the $40 cost of the charger from Amazon.com. Wife started the car every 3-4 weeks and let it run for a little. No prolems from battery drain or anything else. Also put the car under a custom car cover made by coverking as well. Give it a go!

MysticBlue · 06-28-2009, 11:58 AM

Probably should clean out that fire retardent foam first. Don't know what that stuff would do to the paint.

JCtx · 06-28-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdrobc13

Wife started the car every 3-4 weeks and let it run for a little.

It's much more harmful to start the car that way than leaving it alone. You shouldn't start the car (especially one holding 9 qts of oil) unless it's going to be driven enough to completely evaporate all condensation (to prevent rust) from engine to exhaust, and that takes at least 15 miles with that much oil to heat up. Better to leave it alone, just charging the battery. Take care.

smmmurf · 06-28-2009, 02:04 PM

I have left cars for 1mo+ without issues... without any battery tender... may not be the best thing for the battery but I have gotten away with it. Maybe it's different in a car so packed full of electronics like the M3. My E46 was fine, as were a couple other cars.

osteome · 06-28-2009, 02:43 PM

I have mine on a trickle charger presently, while I am in the US. I will let you know what happens when I get back to Germany (3 week absence, recommended to use the charger by a BMW mechanic).

It is garaged but with the car cover off due to no time to give it a bath prior to leaving..

bigjae1976 · 06-28-2009, 09:43 PM

You will probably be fine but I would put a battery tenderer on it anyway.

335 S · 06-29-2009, 07:36 AM

Thanks everyone. I'll throw the charger on.

06-27-2009, 12:23 PM	#1
335 S Vile and Depraved 31 Rep 368 Posts Drives: 2011 E93 M3 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Catatonic State iTrader: (0)	One Month Summer Storage Do I need to put my trickle/float charger on for an indoor summer one month storage? Thanks Attached Images
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06-27-2009, 12:35 PM	#2
drey Second Lieutenant 21 Rep 222 Posts Drives: 2009 M3 Sedan, JZB/BB Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Norcal iTrader: (0)	Better to just disconnect your battery, I would think.
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06-27-2009, 02:34 PM	#3
JCtx Major General 258 Rep 5,012 Posts Drives: No BMW yet Join Date: May 2008 Location: El Paso TX iTrader: (0)	If you fully charge the battery while 'asleep', you should be okay IMO. But if you just park the car, by the time the car goes to 'sleep' battery is considerably discharged. I based that on the fact that with a full charge, when I use the car and charge it again, it takes a while before the 80%-charge green light starts blinking. All kinds of things run for a while (tranny cooler, stereo amplifier cooler, etc). Otherwise just disconnect the negative terminal, as suggested. Take care.
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06-28-2009, 03:07 AM	#4
mdrobc13 Colonel 340 Rep 2,232 Posts Drives: Made in Bavaria Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: On a base somewhere near or afar! iTrader: (8) Garage List 2021 BMW X3e [0.00] 2016 BMW M4 [9.00]	I ran a Solar charger thru my cigarette lighter while I was deployed overseas for 5 months to Afghanistan right after getting my m3 and it worked like a charm and cost me $0.00 in electrical charges/cost other than the $40 cost of the charger from Amazon.com. Wife started the car every 3-4 weeks and let it run for a little. No prolems from battery drain or anything else. Also put the car under a custom car cover made by coverking as well. Give it a go! __________________ '22 BMW M4 Comp (SSG/Black) '16 BMW M4 (Shakir Orange/Black) - gone not forgotten '15 BMW M3 (Black/Black) - gone not forgotten '10 BMW X5M (Black/Black) - gone not forgotten '08 BMW M3 (Space Gray/Black) - gone not forgotten
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06-28-2009, 11:58 AM	#5
MysticBlue Lieutenant Colonel 369 Rep 1,887 Posts Drives: '20 M5C, '09 M3 DCT Coupe Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Eastern Oregon... They call 'em rigs here iTrader: (0)	Probably should clean out that fire retardent foam first. Don't know what that stuff would do to the paint.
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06-28-2009, 02:04 PM	#7
smmmurf Colonel 309 Rep 2,189 Posts Drives: E92 M3 DCT 353k+ miles Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Half Moon Bay, CA iTrader: (7)	I have left cars for 1mo+ without issues... without any battery tender... may not be the best thing for the battery but I have gotten away with it. Maybe it's different in a car so packed full of electronics like the M3. My E46 was fine, as were a couple other cars.
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06-28-2009, 02:43 PM	#8
osteome Major 195 Rep 1,275 Posts Drives: 2020 X5 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Germany iTrader: (4)	I have mine on a trickle charger presently, while I am in the US. I will let you know what happens when I get back to Germany (3 week absence, recommended to use the charger by a BMW mechanic). It is garaged but with the car cover off due to no time to give it a bath prior to leaving.. __________________ 2022 M4 Competition ConvertibleDravit / Tartufo Full / Carbon Fiber Exterior...loaded 2020 X5:MW/Coffee Extended Merino, M Sport, B&W....loaded 2007 X3: Sapphire Black / Black loaded 6 speed Gone: M3 E93 Silverstone II over Bamboo
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06-28-2009, 09:43 PM	#9
bigjae1976 Major General 1570 Rep 8,075 Posts Drives: 11 E90 M3 Individual Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (22) Garage List 2004 BMW M3 [4.50] 2011 BMW E90 M3 [5.25] 2013 BMW 328i [5.00]	You will probably be fine but I would put a battery tenderer on it anyway. __________________ 2018 F30 320iX Melbourne Red 2011 E90 M3 Monte Carlo Blue 2004 E46 M3 Imola Red 2000 E36/7 Z3 Steel Blue
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06-29-2009, 07:36 AM	#10
335 S Vile and Depraved 31 Rep 368 Posts Drives: 2011 E93 M3 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Catatonic State iTrader: (0)	Thanks everyone. I'll throw the charger on. Attached Images
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