Battery Isolator

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D366Y
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Battery Isolator

Post by D366Y »

Hi All!

I'm about to start a new job that will mean I work from home 90% of the time rather than commuting everyday like I currently do.
Because I am incredibly lazy I don't really want to disconnect/reconnect the battery everytime I get in/out of the car to save the battery as I know that leaving it for days/weeks on end without use is no good for it and constantly recharging it from flat will just kill it quicker.

My question therefore is whether fitting a battery isolator would be the best method/idea to save the battery but be easily reconnectable?
Was thinking something similar to this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Heavy-Duty-B ... algo%3DSIC

But willing to take advice if there is one that could be inside the cabin that would be even better for me becuase it's even easier/lazier :D

Not sure if anyone else has done anything similar but your input as ever would be appreciated!

Cheers
Danny

PS - It's coming home
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Re: Battery Isolator

Post by andyd »

I have used one identical to the link. Quick and easy to install, and removing the knob is much better than disconnecting the terminal every time :cool:

Couldn't get it to work on my last Capri with square terminals, but I have seen others that have managed it!

:goodluck:
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D366Y
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Re: Battery Isolator

Post by D366Y »

andyd wrote: Wed Jun 30, 2021 4:42 pm I have used one identical to the link. Quick and easy to install, and removing the knob is much better than disconnecting the terminal every time :cool:

Couldn't get it to work on my last Capri with square terminals, but I have seen others that have managed it!

:goodluck:
Great stuff cheers Andy - looks like I'll be going down this route then unless anyone else chimes in with a lazier suggestion :lol:

Cheers
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Re: Battery Isolator

Post by pbar »

If you get a killswitch/isolator with a removable key as opposed to a wheel then you have an extra security device too Danny. You can make these work with any battery type.
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Re: Battery Isolator

Post by D366Y »

pbar wrote: Thu Jul 01, 2021 8:52 pm If you get a killswitch/isolator with a removable key as opposed to a wheel then you have an extra security device too Danny. You can make these work with any battery type.
Do you have on fitted Paul?
Just curious as to how they attach to the battery or if you put it in line from the ignition?

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Re: Battery Isolator

Post by Major_Tom »

Best thing to do is open up each compartment on the battery, suck out the electrolyte with a pipette, drain it into several phials, then fill the battery up whenever you want to go for a drive.
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Re: Battery Isolator

Post by D366Y »

Major_Tom wrote: Fri Jul 02, 2021 8:50 am Best thing to do is open up each compartment on the battery, suck out the electrolyte with a pipette, drain it into several phials, then fill the battery up whenever you want to go for a drive.
That sounds like a lot more effort.... can't I just pick the battery up and drink it all each time I finish driving, and then have fresh electrolyte that I can just top up next time? :beer:
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Re: Battery Isolator

Post by pbar »

D366Y wrote: Fri Jul 02, 2021 8:39 am Just curious as to how they attach to the battery or if you put it in line from the ignition?

Cheers

Will PM some info to you later Danny. Or PM me your email address if that's easier and I'll do it that way.
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Re: Battery Isolator

Post by Bug »

Another option is to use something like a Ctek battery maintainer. Of course this means you need a power source though.
I keep one connected to my weekender Z4. Clever bit of kit that monitors the battery and puts it through various cycles to keep it at its peak.
It comes with a connector that you can permanently fit to the battery, then just plug it in. Quite easy to run the connector to just behind the grille, then you can connect it up without even popping the bonnet.
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Re: Battery Isolator

Post by CapriFreak »

I have one like the eBay link on my Capri... mainly because of electrical gremlins early on I dont like to leave it outside the house with the battery connected either. I've got a fairly big battery on mine and it fits ok on the negative terminal . On the crap battery before I used to have it on the positive but like said above it didnt fit on the new one. Go for it!
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Re: Battery Isolator

Post by Major_Tom »

D366Y wrote: Wed Jun 30, 2021 4:30 pm Was thinking something similar to this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Heavy-Duty-B ... algo%3DSIC
IIRC Daisy fitted one of those to hers. One day she forgot to reconnect it. The car started anyway though 😄
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Re: Battery Isolator

Post by Major_Tom »

D366Y wrote: Fri Jul 02, 2021 10:42 am
That sounds like a lot more effort.... can't I just pick the battery up and drink it all each time I finish driving, and then have fresh electrolyte that I can just top up next time? :beer:
Yes but then you have to disconnect the battery, which is a lot of struggle.
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Re: Battery Isolator

Post by stevemarl »

Or, another idea would be a solar panel mounted on the parce;l shelf? Just wire the +ive to the boot lamp bulb (constant live), -ive to earth . I know a couple of people who have `occasional use` cars and this seems to work well. My brother fitted one to this Punto years ago and even after months standing, he never had to charge it.
(Then again I`m assuming it`s not garaged?)

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Re: Battery Isolator

Post by -JC- »

I've hadthe key type isolator fitted for years now, the battery still seems to drain though. Min eis probably a lot less occasional than others on here with how long it's taking me to sort it out though!!. I've also used a solar panel like in the lats pic in the past, it didn't seem to do much in that size. I've fitted a bigger one now (link), which I think is working, but I think my battery is knackered as it charged to half way pretty quick, but not further after a bunch of sunny days. Wondering about ditching the isolator now as it seems silly having both on there. Would mean re-doing the starter motor cable though, as it's currently routed inside for easy access to the key thingy.
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Re: Battery Isolator

Post by Mc Tool »

D366Y wrote: Fri Jul 02, 2021 10:42 am
That sounds like a lot more effort.... can't I just pick the battery up and drink it all each time I finish driving, and then have fresh electrolyte that I can just top up next time? :beer:
Ah, now your just being silly 😁
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Re: Battery Isolator

Post by stevemarl »

-JC- wrote: Fri Jul 02, 2021 10:53 pm Would mean re-doing the starter motor cable though, as it's currently routed inside for easy access to the key thingy.
Sorry if I`ve got it wrong, but does this mean you put the isolator in the starter lead? If so, the battery will continue to drain as the wire supplying the car is the thin black one to the battery, that`s just isolated the starter motor, Apologies if I`ve misunderstood..
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Re: Battery Isolator

Post by Andrew 2.8i »

Demon Tweeks sell a range of isolators, if you need to have a look to see what's available.

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Re: Battery Isolator

Post by D366Y »

Major_Tom wrote: Fri Jul 02, 2021 12:14 pm
D366Y wrote: Wed Jun 30, 2021 4:30 pm Was thinking something similar to this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Heavy-Duty-B ... algo%3DSIC
IIRC Daisy fitted one of those to hers. One day she forgot to reconnect it. The car started anyway though 😄
Works then does it? :lol:
Major_Tom wrote: Fri Jul 02, 2021 12:16 pm
D366Y wrote: Fri Jul 02, 2021 10:42 am
That sounds like a lot more effort.... can't I just pick the battery up and drink it all each time I finish driving, and then have fresh electrolyte that I can just top up next time? :beer:
Yes but then you have to disconnect the battery, which is a lot of struggle.
Very good point Tom, I hadn't thought of that - I'll go with your first option then I think!
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Re: Battery Isolator

Post by D366Y »

stevemarl wrote: Fri Jul 02, 2021 6:18 pm Or, another idea would be a solar panel mounted on the parce;l shelf? Just wire the +ive to the boot lamp bulb (constant live), -ive to earth . I know a couple of people who have `occasional use` cars and this seems to work well. My brother fitted one to this Punto years ago and even after months standing, he never had to charge it.
(Then again I`m assuming it`s not garaged?)
It's not garaged, and not a bad idea, but bold of you to assume I have a parcel shelf - They cost more than the car does these days! :lol:
I did think about the solar panel idea, but my stepdad had one on his landrover and it ended up killing his battery - not sure how - so was slightly sceptical about it....
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Re: Battery Isolator

Post by stevemarl »

Danny,
I`m sure there must have been a fault with either the battery or the panel, as there`s a diode on the output so electricity can only come out of the panel: if the diode`s OK it`s impossible for it to flatten a battery. I can only say from my experience re. the Punto, when she got a company car it became `surplus to requirements` and was just left n the street for about 6 months till MOT time. That car has a computer, alarm (with ultrasonics) so probably woud have more drain than the Capri, (with just a clock), yet it started fine.
I also have one at my remote garage (no mains), that has LED lighting run off a couple of SLA batteries and a small panel in the window which keeps them topped up. That also seems to work OK. I think it`s worth considering?
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