In a message dated 11/15/05 2:01:41 PM Eastern Standard Time, guskersthecat@YAHOO.COM writes:
> Your batteries lose charge just sitting there..and this is worse in cold > weather. The surest way to shorten battery life is to allow sulphation to > occur at reduced charge. Therefore, keeping them fully charged with either > an electronic trickle charger, or 15 watt(ish) solar panel with charge > controller is the best thing you can do for the batteries. Check > electrolyte level if applicable. Reduced charge can also lead to > freezing. So on the battery side, there is no need to remove the battery, > disconnect it, or keep it warm. Just keep it charged. > > If you don't use the emergency brake, don't engage it. > > overcharging without battery use can cause leakage. leakage means RUST. this is why i remove batteries from vehicles in storage. i have seen too many rusted out battery trays, or in the vanagon's case, the body. as for the E-brake - do NOT use it when you store the vehicle. again, i have had to go at the rear drums with a sledgehammer to free up vehicles where the e-brake was left on for extended periods of time and the shoes rusted to the drum... chris |
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