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How long can a VF be stored for without battery starting problems?

Discussion in 'VF Holden Commodore (2013 - 2017)' started by diysv6, Jun 18, 2017.

  1. Jun 18, 2017 #1
    diysv6

    diysv6 Member

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    Hi all, Looking at a long break, 9 weeks, where my VF (July 2015 build) will be probably locked away and not driven at all. My best option is a family member will drop in, but I cannot guarantee the visiting cycles as far as keeping the battery topped up. eg 3/4/5 week spacing between visits.

    I don't know if the VF Mylink security etc. along with the various internal computers loves to discharge the battery whilst locked/parked. The car will be two years old whilst I am away, so the battery could be at the point of degraded performance as its coming up to its 2 year working life.

    I have an Aldi smart charger that senses battery voltage and charges/floats/switches off at < 15Volts etc, but I've never used it on the VF, only on my old VT for up to about 2-3 days at a time. It seemed to do a good job, as I didn't have to disconnect the car's electrical load during these times and the battery stayed charged. I did monitor the battery voltage and it never exceeded about 14.8 volts on my DMM.

    I am looking at 9 weeks in the worst case, and wondering if the smart charger would be a safe proposition, no surveillance, no checking etc during the period. I don't want to fry the VF's battery (evaporate water etc.) or electronics by using the smart charger. Holden say that the battery voltage can go to 16 volts on a day to day basis with no harm to the cars electronics or battery life as its computer managed by the regulator in the ECU.

    So members, what is the general feeling about 9 weeks on a smart charger, wrt the VFs electronics being damaged etc.?

    Is disconnecting the battery, placing it on the smart charger, and leaving the cars electronics dead for 9 weeks a good move?

    And an opinion, would the battery still be in good enough condition, electrolyte loss, sulphation, gunk-up between the plates etc. (using either storage method above) to start the car after the lay-up?

    Any ideas much appreciated.
     
    diysv6, Jun 18, 2017
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  2. Jun 18, 2017 #2
    woooo

    woooo Active Member

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    Just disconnect the battery terminals... done.
     
    woooo, Jun 18, 2017
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  3. Jun 19, 2017 #3
    Anthony121

    Anthony121 Well-Known Member

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    9 weeks is not that long. The battery will be fine.
     
    Anthony121, Jun 19, 2017
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  4. Jun 19, 2017 #4
    panhead

    panhead Well-Known Member

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    I drove my Ute a few weeks back for the first time in about 6 months and it kicked over like if it had been driven that morning with no problems.

    If you do store them for a long time it is a good idea to use a trickle charger (I don't have one on my Ute) but the real secret is to lock the car so as to put most of the systems to sleep and a healthy battery will last for much longer than most people think.


    .
     
    panhead, Jun 19, 2017
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  5. Jun 19, 2017 #5
    Smitty

    Smitty Well-Known Member

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    I know of those who went yep....leave it and the battery was dead after 3 or 4 weeks
    and those who went away for 6 months and it started first go when the key was turned

    get a trickle charger if under cover... or a large panel solar charger ( i use one on the race car
    which may sit up to 6 or 8 weeks a time between race events)
     
    Smitty, Jun 19, 2017
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  6. Jun 26, 2017 #6
    diysv6

    diysv6 Member

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    Thank you all for your replies.
    First option is to have a rellie start the car for a run every 3 weeks.
    If the battery goes flat, then so be it.
    I will recharge when I get home.

    Thanks for your help
     
    diysv6, Jun 26, 2017
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  7. Jul 8, 2017 #7
    RTSV6UTE

    RTSV6UTE Active Member

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    Hi

    For those considering storing a new VF V8 sedan, what would happen if the car was in storage and was locked and then the battery in the vehicle became dead flat? How would one get into the car if the key does not unlock it as the car's battery is dead flat?

    Would it be wiser to leave the car unlocked if kept in a secure storage facility so as to always gain entry into the vehicle even if the battery is dead?

    Regards,

    RTSV6UTE
     
    RTSV6UTE, Jul 8, 2017
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  8. Jul 8, 2017 #8
    panhead

    panhead Well-Known Member

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    You put your key in the door handle lock and turn.


    .
     
    panhead, Jul 8, 2017
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  9. Jul 8, 2017 #9
    RTSV6UTE

    RTSV6UTE Active Member

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    Hi

    Considering I have had a VF1 SV6 ute followed by a VF2 SV6 ute I didn't even know that was an option!

    Regards,

    RTSV6UTE
     
    RTSV6UTE, Jul 8, 2017
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  10. Jul 8, 2017 #10
    SuckSqueezeBangBlow

    SuckSqueezeBangBlow Active Member

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    Pull the cover off the door handle to reveal the lock
     
    SuckSqueezeBangBlow, Jul 8, 2017
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  11. Jul 8, 2017 #11
    stick3

    stick3 Active Member

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    its the acid leak i would be concern about easy under the bonnet with boiling water but in the boot it does happen i seen it under the carpet and thats why i would pull the battery out if the car not going to be use for a while
     
    stick3, Jul 8, 2017
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  12. Jul 8, 2017 #12
    panhead

    panhead Well-Known Member

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    It that case the Utes are even worse as the battery is located in the cabin behind the passenger seat.


    .
     
    panhead, Jul 8, 2017
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  13. Jul 8, 2017 #13
    stick3

    stick3 Active Member

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    10751457
    yes mate just means there a bit more to remove and use bicarb soda if you see any acid
     
    stick3, Jul 8, 2017
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  14. Jul 8, 2017 #14
    Fekason

    Fekason Fekason

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    If all things are in order, I don't think you will have a problem.

    Because I spent two periods in Europe with my sons for soccer, I parked my Commodores (six weeks for my VE MY12.5 SV6 and over three months for my MY14 SV6). Both times, the cars started on the first crank. They did sort of cough and splutter a little for the first five seconds, but then behaved as if nothing had changed.
     
    Fekason, Jul 8, 2017
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  15. Jul 9, 2017 #15
    Illusivedreams

    Illusivedreams Member

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    Noco or Ctek chargers can be left on car indefinitely as in all winter season or summer if you have snow equipment.

    We use Ctek in our motorcycle business. We are moving our 4Ctek s to Noco over the next few months.

    Doesn't boil battery,revives tiered batteries.
    In your case will mean better than when left battery o return of 6 week holiday
     
    Illusivedreams, Jul 9, 2017
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  16. Sep 16, 2017 #16
    diysv6

    diysv6 Member

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    Quick report on my VF Battery after 9 weeks

    The car was started 3 times during the nine weeks, at week 2, 5 and 7 approx. and taken on short runs, each about 7kms.

    Before my first start, measured voltage under the bonnet and on dash screen.

    DMM 11.9v Dash 11.7v

    Started the car, cranking a bit slow I felt, but cranked OK.
    Ran the motor for about 10 minutes, Dash read 14.9v.

    Engine off, DMM 12.54v
    After a 90 minutes break, DMM 12.39v.

    Took car on a 14km run, DMM 12.5v after the run. If battery is used, eg boot opened, the battery voltage drops to about 12.11v and slowly creeps towards 12.3v or higher if left for long periods.

    On the road, the car has been charging up to 15v and staying around 14.8/14.9. Crank speed has improved. No signs of acid moisture in the boot battery enclosure and the battery terminals still look pristine.

    Thanks everyone for your information.
     
    diysv6, Sep 16, 2017
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  17. Jan 21, 2018 #17
    WeeGee

    WeeGee Member

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    Look up 'Transport Mode' and this is the best. Takes the car into hibinated sleep for min battery drain. The process is somthing like this... with engine running, apply hazzard lights and the press the stop/start button for approx 10-15 seconds until transport mode comes up on the dash display. Please search elsewhere for exact process.
     
    WeeGee, Jan 21, 2018
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  18. Jan 23, 2018 #18
    Stroppy

    Stroppy Active Member

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    I stored a low kay Magna for 8 months but also fitted a trickle charger connected directly to the battery. Started first go upon my return. The only problem I noticed is that the tyres didn't like sitting for a long time in one spot as there was a bit of bumpiness from them for a few days until they settled. I fixed the problem by going a couple of pounds over the recommended PSI for a couple of days and doing some long runs. One thing I would recommend is that you put a bit of fuel conditioner into the tank before you start the car as petrol can and does go off after a long period of storage.

    Question for all of you... I have an Evoke wagon which is ex Victoria Police and, as such, it has two batteries in the load area...the standard unit and one opposite. The second battery is still in place but all the connectors which ran from it are now empty. Will having the second battery mean longer life for both batteries?
     
    Stroppy, Jan 23, 2018
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  19. Jan 23, 2018 #19
    lockwood

    lockwood Member

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    can't find any reference to Transport Mode in my handbook, or anywhere else relating to the VF11
     
    lockwood, Jan 23, 2018
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