E30 Zone

The Chav is currently hibernating and the battery went flat. So, I charged it and am pleased to say that after about 8 weeks of sitting in the same spot doing nothing, it fired straight up first flick of the key.

Is it safe to leave it on charge to keep power to the battery or do I just charge it once a week? It's not going to be used for another few months.

I bought this of Ollie http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... highlight=

They seem to have good reviews and doesn't cost a penny to run.

You really need one of the 'clever' chargers that charges and 'massages' the battery.
Check out the classic car press for details.
Charging once a week is fine,it's remembering to do it,and to switch the thing off,that is the problem!
The proper thing does this for you.

A tip in this month's Motorcycle News is to drop the battery from a height of approx. a foot onto concrete; this is supposed to dislodge any sulphate from the lead plates, and restore a dying battery.

Don't blame me if it explodes in a shattering mess of plastic and acid though!

I have both the Solar powered , and the "clever " one.
Both are equally as good.

i use one of those solar powered ones , but i have a battery cut out isolator
switch fitted so its always got some juice in it for when i want to use it.

just take the battery off while it's stored mate, easy

Solar panels would be ok if you keep the car outside, no good for my car in its pitch black garage.

Trickle chargers or 'battery optimisers' will keep the battery in perfect condition

If anyone feels the urge to drop the battery on a concrete floor make sure its at room temperature first

Better to keep with a trickle charger, saves the service indicator battery going flat if car off the road for long period - my cabby has been in the garage since Sept...due out in March.

I used a CTEK charger works a treat - http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/Stor ... 4wodjDsmJw