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Post by 152bobby on Feb 15, 2021 12:59:30 GMT
I know we are way in to the lockdown and I should have asked this months ago, but instead of me starting our works car, which we are not using (Toyota Estima) and also having to jump start it a few times to take it out for a spin, which I know will knacker the battery, should I just disconnect the battery until I know I will use this car regularly again ?
And if I do, if the battery is fully charged prior to disconnecting, will it start when I reconnect the battery ?
And should I disconnected both negative and positive or just one of them ?
Thanks
Bobby
PS: Hope everyone is continuing to keep safe.
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Post by firemac on Feb 15, 2021 13:07:20 GMT
I'm no expert but a disconnected battery will still discharge over time and then need re-charging at some point. The best solution would be a conditioner such as Optimate, etc. that remains connected permanently. I used one for years on my bikes and as well as keeping the batteries charged, they seem to extend the life of the battery considerably.
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Post by unclebob on Feb 15, 2021 15:06:04 GMT
I gave a neighbour an old battery out of my at the time Lexus IS300 as it would loose charge quickly, he’s has it in his 1966 Daimler V8 saloon for the last 6 years. It’s disconnected when not in use and never failed to start his car . So with that logic.....discount battery (either connection), charge it up, then connect as and when you want to Estima 👍🏻
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Post by 152bobby on Feb 15, 2021 16:35:23 GMT
I'll disconnect it. The worst that can happen, is I'll have to charge it up when connected.
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Post by charliefarlie on Feb 15, 2021 17:47:29 GMT
I'm no expert but a disconnected battery will still discharge over time and then need re-charging at some point. The best solution would be a conditioner such as Optimate, etc. that remains connected permanently. I used one for years on my bikes and as well as keeping the batteries charged, they seem to extend the life of the battery considerably. Agree a battery will still loose charge even sat in the workshop. Taking the battery off will I feel sure disable the alarm. Unless it has a back up power source. If and it’s a big if someone breaks into the car or jacks it up to steal the cat insurance may not be valid on the basis we or at least I always get asked if whatever car I’m adding has an a.arm. I have a Cetek charger recommend to me by Davrav a few years back which can be hooked up to any car battery without the need to disconnect said battery. I just move it from car to car once a month 👍👍👍
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Post by 152bobby on Feb 15, 2021 21:11:54 GMT
It's in my garage so if someone wants to go to all the bother to nick a Estima, good luck to them.
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Post by shcm on Feb 15, 2021 21:27:48 GMT
Probably not applicable to Estima, but some of the Toyota workshop manuals make the point that some things like the steering angle sensor *may* need to be put through a calibration procedure after a battery disconnect. (I don't know what Toyota are up to with their ECU's because calibration data like that is usually stored in non-volatile memory (EEPROM or FLASH emulating EEPROM)).
Anyway, I wouldn't (and I don't) disconnect the battery either and just keep it topped up in situ.
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Post by charliefarlie on Feb 16, 2021 9:20:49 GMT
Probably not applicable to Estima, but some of the Toyota workshop manuals make the point that some things like the steering angle sensor *may* need to be put through a calibration procedure after a battery disconnect. (I don't know what Toyota are up to with their ECU's because calibration data like that is usually stored in non-volatile memory (EEPROM or FLASH emulating EEPROM)). Anyway, I wouldn't (and I don't) disconnect the battery either and just keep it topped up in situ. MX5 needs the steering turned lock to lock to recalibrate if the battery has been removed. 👍👍
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