Austarion

My Starion sleeps in the garage for big periods, and I'm having few doubts regarding battery charge, oxidation, etc. It's a mint unit (no oxidation, I took good care of it in general, and so on).

1.- I stored the car with a battery with not much charge in, plugged. Months later (2 or 3, do not remember) when I tried to start it I couldn't. Would you say it's normal, or shouldn't a car fully discharge a battery (remember it wasn't a new one) when it's plugged for 2 or 3 months without starting it at all? I thought it shouldn't had any major current derivation apart from the chassis, so don't know if this is totally normal or may be a problem in the electrical wiring.

2.- From what I've readed, letting the battery plugged to the car is better in order to prevent sheet oxidation. Would you say that leaving the car for long periods with its battery unplugged is equal to furute oxidation issues?

3.- I don't use the car since two years ago. Which suggestions may you give me for keeping it the best on this status? It's stored in a closed garage (no sun) with no humidity, great stable temp (Canary Islands), no salt at all, and with a dust protection cover above. Which frecuency would you suggest for its starts? Should I expect future major damage in my unit because of this no use period?

4.- I've been thinking about a battery unplug device. Regarding the models for engine bay (not for the inside dash, for example) I've seen three types (Model 1, Model 2, Model 3). I'm open for other model suggestions, and to your opinions regarding the use of a battery unplug device in a car. I've done my homework reading from different sources, but I would like to have your personal opinion since this community is a trustful point of knowledge for me.

Huge thanks in advance for your time reading this, and your support.

For the battery you need something like a trickle charger..or I think somebody makes something smarter like a battery monitor. I'm sure an internet search will reveal what I mean.
You should start the car once a month. You need fuel stabilizer if it's being left with fuel in it or dump all the fuel if it will sit longer. The fuel will turn to varnish otherwise and block/ruin pump, fuel lines and injectors.

First of all thank you very much Alspos for your tips.

Alspos wrote:For the battery you need something like a trickle charger..or I think somebody makes something smarter like a battery monitor. I'm sure an internet search will reveal what I mean.

I've founded some smart chargers that avoid the damage caused by trickle chargers, but judging by its price, it would be cheaper to buy some new batteries to have as spares. Will it be needed even if I start the car monthly? I thought the alternator should fully charge it (and I wouldn't need a charger)?

Alspos wrote:You should start the car once a month. You need fuel stabilizer if it's being left with fuel in it or dump all the fuel if it will sit longer. The fuel will turn to varnish otherwise and block/ruin pump, fuel lines and injectors.

I've been reading now about fuel stabilizers, and watching few tutorial videos. In this 2 years of inactivity I've burnt a full tank of 98 oct. fuel with the starts I've done and 2 or 3 small tours through the neighborhood. Never had a problem to start the car but it's fantastic to know about this fuel stabilizer in order to prevent it. Will buy one as soon as possible.

It will sit longer yeah. One year or even more. To the old 98 oct fuel (1/4 tank level) I added 20 additional litters six months ago. Instead of dumping that fuel I will try to burn it with a little tour through the neighborhood streets and so on (aplying the fuel stabilizer days before of course).

Fuel stabiliser http://www.lucasoil.com.au/content/view/94/30/

OLD FART wrote:Fuel stabiliser http://www.lucasoil.com.au/content/view/94/30/

Ordering from AU would be high in price so I'll try to find some in local area. Seems that 100 ml treat 10 liters of fuel, so for a Starion tank we'll need some bottles (last time I did a full tank it was like 67 liters or so?).

Any suggestion regarding the other questions? learning a lot with your help : ] !

Aero-R wrote:1.- I stored the car with a battery with not much charge in, plugged. Months later (2 or 3, do not remember) when I tried to start it I couldn't. Would you say it's normal, or shouldn't a car fully discharge a battery (remember it wasn't a new one) when it's plugged for 2 or 3 months without starting it at all? I thought it shouldn't had any major current derivation apart from the chassis, so don't know if this is totally normal or may be a problem in the electrical wiring.

2.- From what I've readed, letting the battery plugged to the car is better in order to prevent sheet oxidation. Would you say that leaving the car for long periods with its battery unplugged is equal to furute oxidation issues?

4.- I've been thinking about a battery unplug device. Regarding the models for engine bay (not for the inside dash, for example) I've seen three types (Model 1, Model 2, Model 3). I'm open for other model suggestions, and to your opinions regarding the use of a battery unplug device in a car. I've done my homework reading from different sources, but I would like to have your personal opinion since this community is a trustful point of knowledge for me.

http://www.batteriesdirect.com.au/shop/ ... pQodCmkAqw
Seems to me the best way to go so you know the car will start whenever you want to drive it and will pay for itself instead of buying new batteries.

OLD FART wrote:http://www.batteriesdirect.com.au/shop/ ... pQodCmkAqw :D

As I was saying to Alspos, judging by its price (and not even thinking in the shipment costs), it would be cheaper to buy some lot of batteries to have as spares. Will it be needed even if I start the car monthly? I thought the alternator should fully charge it (and I wouldn't need a battery charger)?

In fact I've to buy a new battery since the one I've now is bit damaged, so I was thinking about the battery cut-off (just 10$) I did mention in the questions, but I was afraid of the oxidation issue (if real?).

What do batteries cost you ?? and if stored for a long time will be out of warranty if you get a faulty one.
THE chargers will last forever or mine has for the last 10+ years or so .
I have a smaller than stock battery to make space for the cooler pipework to go between it and the radiator so when it sits in the shed between events or the drive every 2 weeks or so it if always fully charged :D

Will try to look for one locally in a few days when looking for the fuel stabilizer. If it last for so many years it'll be a good investment!

The car is in mint conditions but being 2 years sleeping and taking in mind it'll sleep more, I'm afraid it'll end damaged in the future because of this no-use, so I'm happy for all your suggestions guys. Thanks one more time

When you start it once a month as Al suggested so make sure you get it up to operating temperature and let it rev at sat 2-3000 rpm for a while to remove all condensation from the exhaust system otherwise it will rust out internally.
Just had a look on Google and it seems you live in a great part of the world.
It is app 7.40am here what time is it over there?

PS the charger I have was under $100 .00 Aussie so why not send an email inquiry and find out the total posted price as they only weigh app 1/2 kg. :?

OLD FART wrote:Just had a look on Google and it seems you live in a great part of the world.
It is app 7.40am here what time is it over there?

GMT. 22:37 at the moment.

OLD FART wrote:PS the charger I have was under $100 .00 Aussie so why not send an email inquiry and find out the total posted price as they only weigh app 1/2 kg. :?

Yeah, at first I saw ones near 300$ so I discarded it, but then I saw some units below 100$ so seems possible : ]

Why not just put a battery in from someone elses car when you need to start it? Then return it once the car is going back into hibernation.

Alspos wrote:Why not just put a battery in from someone elses car when you need to start it? Then return it once the car is going back into hibernation.

Afraid of oxidation issues in the Starion if left sleeping without battery plugged. That's why I asked if it's real or just some hilarious rumour.

There should be no issues without a battery. The car is insulated from the ground anyway via the tyres...so no current should pass anywhere. I would be more concerned with variations in humidity and temperature when storing the car (but it sounds like you have that covered)

Alspos wrote:There should be no issues without a battery. The car is insulated from the ground anyway via the tyres...so no current should pass anywhere. I would be more concerned with variations in humidity and temperature when storing the car (but it sounds like you have that covered)

I thought it was the lack of current what made it more weak against oxidation (even if there's not any reason to create it in my case).

Yep, no variations, stable weather all the year, no direct sun, no snow, no water or humidity or grass in the zone. In my case the problem is the damage caused because of not using it (plastic hoses, damage because of lack of lubrication and use on engine, suspensions, and so on). Politics damaged this country so bad that I don't know if I'll end in other country having to keep my Starion in this secure garage but without being able to use it regurally :glare:

Thanks guys for all the tips! : )