Short term storage???

[bradgarbus]

I wanted to get some advice.

I will be going on a cruise out of Baltimore in a few weeks and I will be parking my car for 10 days while I am at sea in the cruise port's parking area.

My concern is I would get back from the cruise to find my battery dead?!

Have any of you left your smart parked outside for 10 days and run into any issues???

Thanks!

[Old smart]

You could get one of the emergency jump starters that if needed plugs into the 12VDC receptical to boost the system. About $20 or a little more.

[jefferios]

I think you should be okay, ask the parking attended if they have jumping cables.

Or, if you want, let Neonspinnaz use your car while you on a trip. I'm sure he'll take car of it.

[Padawan]

I'd go with something like this:

Amazon.com: Sunforce 50012 1.8-Watt Solar Battery Maintainer: Automotive

Amazon.com: Sunforce 50012 1.8-Watt Solar Battery Maintainer: Automotive

[forestacademy]

Originally Posted by Padawan

I'd go with something like this:

Amazon.com: Sunforce 50012 1.8-Watt Solar Battery Maintainer: Automotive

1.8-watt solar charger plugs into your vehicle's 12-volt lighter socket
Works with automobile, all terrain vehicle (ATV), personal water craft (PWC), and boat batteries
Made of durable ABS plastic and amorphous solar cells
Includes alligator clips for direct connection to a battery

Thats a great idea

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by Padawan

I'd go with something like this:

Amazon.com: Sunforce 50012 1.8-Watt Solar Battery Maintainer: Automotive

"1.8-watt solar charger plugs into your vehicle's 12-volt lighter socket"

With the ignition off, the 12VDC receptical isolated - you'd have to rig it directly to the battery.

I have a similar solar panel fitted with small battery clips for my boat batteries, but my battery locker is quite a bit more accessible than the smart's. Anyway, it might fit well on the dash under the greenhouse windshield, especially if you don't have the pods. Park in the clear facing South.

[HerrZ]

I am unemployed, and my "Schwartze" has been sitting in the garage for 5 weeks so far. I ran out to start it after reading ur post, and all was fine. FYI- i have been driving, just not the commuter (smart) vehicle.

[fortow]

10 days of non-use is no issue whatsoever. When you return just start and drive the car. If there is any minor discharge on the battery that will be replenished as you drive. It is not unusual whatsoever to not drive a car for a week or two. As long as you don't have a car alarm depleting the battery charge, and the battery is otherwise in good shape, then everything will be fine.

Living in a winter climate, I have several vehicles that are either not driven for several weeks at a time or stored for 6 months. The vehicles only driven occasionally do not have a problem with the batteries, however, they also do not have any unusual dark current draw either.
If you store a car for several months there are precautions to be taken. As far as the battery is concerned, it needs to be at a full charge then disconnected.

[chieftmc]

You can always park it in my driveway and I'll keep the battery charged for you

[Woody14619]

Originally Posted by Old smart

"1.8-watt solar charger plugs into your vehicle's 12-volt lighter socket"

With the ignition off, the 12VDC receptical isolated - you'd have to rig it directly to the battery.

I added a direct-wired spare lighter socket into the back of the glove box in my smart. It has a nice rubber cap that covers it when not in use. You can pick up the sockets (with 3' of high-guage cord) at most Radio Shacks and some other stores (Lowes, Target sometimes). Takes all of 5 minutes to install and provides a great way to use a panel like this.