Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Battery conditioner

I am considering storing my car in the winter months in our apartment garage. The issue is that this garage has no power sockets. Is there any portable power supply that can be used to enable a battery conditioner?

A solar panel? - if there is enough sunlight where you live.........

Could you remove the battery and store it in your apartment, and give it a monthly top-up charge there? This might also prevent the car being stolen.........

I did a bit of on-line research and this or two batteries, one in the car, the other on charge in the apartment were the only real answers.

I would agree with the secondary battery solution. rig two good sized ones in parallel on the floor/shelf and then load them across car battery in parallel. You can then rotate one of the two to your home to load it fully from a conventional charger in turn. This does not power cycle or manage the battery but just loads all three to give a deeper reservoir

Alternative is a more complex solution ?
Use a trickle charger like the CTEK MXS5 to manage the battery.
http://www.ctek.com/gb/en/chargers/MXS%205.0
Your issue here is giving it a 240v power supply and charging this.
You need to collect with power with solar/wind (CTEK is 6A@12v=72W, so aim to double this for loss) so you would need something like a 120W panel at a guess.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/120w-solar-power-station-n46ha
this is an example kit that gives a panel, power inverter, battery to even out and setup guide. £900 all up. In theory it could also charge some other small items (keep air flowing for damp issues or an alarm) that might assist you ?

Feels like pitching a battery back and forth might be most effective. Don't forget they are full of acid so if you do then get something that is designed to protect everything in case of it tipping or being hit. Worst case is a car accident and you being hit but 20kgs of flying acid in the car. Also get a mechanic to walk you through the correct connection order and safety. (sorry if this is grandma and eggs, just trying to avoid a melt-down)

Probably best just to remove the battery and keep it in the house, connecting it to a CTEK from time to time to keep it properly conditioned. When you re-fit it the alarm, if fitted, will arm so you need to have the key fob handy to disarm it. Also you may need the radio code. Before starting the engine after re-fitting the battery turn the ignition on for about half a minute before actually starting the engine to allow any motorised valves to re-set. Might also be worthwhile putting some fuel stabiliser in the tank and over-pressuring the tyres before lay-up (to avoid flat spots on them). Hope this helps.

Cars are better used not stored. Seals deteriorate when static, fuel degrades & as noted tyres flat spot. In days when I could tax my vintage car for 6 months I used to clean it, service it, jack up & cover it up for winter. Now I just wait for a day with dry roads & take it out for a run to get it warm. If you have power supply a battery conditioner is a good idea.

Tim.

Totally agree with Tim but I guess Cologne in the winter, ice snow and salt on the roads, might not be the best for Morganing. Another, of the many, problems with long-term storage is clutches sticking together. If you really HAVE to lay the car up then, assuming it's a hydraulic clutch, it may be worthwhile blocking the slave lever open a smidgin with a little wooden wedge, if you can get at it.

Try Car Builder Solutions www.cbsonline.co.uk
Item SOLAR4 £60, my nephew has one and finds it great.

Tony