Dead battery

[13 Legion]

Searched this topic already but still have a couple questions. Haven't drove my Comanche since October. It's an 87 2.5 4spd and it's stored in the garage. I went to start it in Dec and wouldn't start so I put it on a charger waited a few hours and fired right up. Today I went to start and same issue dead battery so it's back on the charger. Should I start up truck once a week or am I just better off disconnecting battery cables while storing? I just find it hard to believe an analog clock could sap the battery in a little over a month. Than again it could be something else all together. The battery is only 2 years old and I put maybe 500 miles on my truck last year. I had no starting issues prior to storing. Thanks!

[Pete M]

I disconnect mine. 

[Gene]

Hi Legion,

 

Two things happen:

 

1. Batteries slowly discharge, even with no external drain. This will be less of a concern in cold weather, more in hot.

 

2. There is always a little drain into the vehicles electrical system. The clock will be a minor drain, the original radio in my 88 had a bit more drain as well. It doesn't have to be much to drain a battery over weeks of sitting.

 

So:

 

1. Disconnect the ground cable if the vehicle will be sitting (I use a week or longer as "sitting")

 

2. Charge the battery about once a month, even if disconnected. Discharged batteries will age (sulfation) faster than charged batteries.

 

Gene

[13 Legion]

Thanks for the input guys! I'm definitely gonna disconnect the battery when I store again.

[buckwheat]

Check out a battery disconnect switch. Instead of taking off and having to re-install the negative cable you can just flip a switch to "disconnect" it. Couple of different types available. Could make your life a lot easier.