GS power off

[EnzoMC]

with the battery / power turned off should you be able to still lock the drivers door with the key ?

the cars been tucked up for a while (winter) what do you guys suggest to recharge the battery when the power is off, I'ver heard about these battery conditioners but do seem expensive - £200 (almost buy 2 batteries for that) - before you start on me I know I should be using the car which will keep the charge but its also a good time to strip parts of the car to fix up...

 

[rotorheadcase]

I have this one... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CTEK-Mult...CarParts_SM&hash=item2eb20c3a7b#ht_7345wt_937

It performs flawlessly and Ctek are the OEM manufacturers for Porsche, Aston M,Ferrari etc.

I mounted the optional comfort indicator http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ctek-COMF..._Accessories&hash=item53e210e14c#ht_810wt_823

inside the trunk on the interior panel near the battery door so connecting the charger is just a matter of plugging in the connector.

Regards,

Neil

 

[EnzoMC]

thanks Neil, is it a good idea to keep the battery on charge or do these devices run the battery down and then recharge ?


back to my 1st question - with the power off can you still lock the drivers down, my keys does seem to turn ? - wanted to check before I take it back

 

[barbuckle]

Yes - with power switched off at battery the key locks the doors (turn anti-clockwise).

 

[EnzoMC]

thanks - looks like my locks are not working then, back to the garage

 

[dem maser]

Mine locks when off.....

 

[Maser Sod]

It has to lock/unlock, otherwise you have a big problem when the battery goes fully flat! (been there, got the t-shirt - a couple of times.) Watch the window when opening and shutting, though.

I have a simple rule of thumb - if the car isn't going to be used for more than 2 weeks, then I turn the battery off. I find the idea of trickle charging too tedious. I've tried various batteries, the current one holds good charge after 2 weeks (unlike the previous FIAMM and Red Top gel batteries).

 

[conaero]

...and remember to drop the drivers door a few mm or you will knacker the seals.

I bought this one and it's brilliant, forget the £200, try £26:

http://www.care4car.com/productdisp...1_Smart_Charge_Battery_Conditioner_1_amp.html

 

[hodroyd]

I find that if I switch off at the main power switch in the boot, the battery holds charge for quite a while. I have a few chargers, including a large start/high/low charger which I bought for about £45.00, that will charge a 250ah battery. Sometimes I will put a charger on low when I remember, but the main switch is off.
Locks should all work with the key, if the lock is really easy to turn, the lever may have come adrift from the key barrel to the actual lock.

 

[EnzoMC]

It has to lock/unlock, otherwise you have a big problem when the battery goes fully flat!

thats what I expected, but wanted to check

...and remember to drop the drivers door a few mm or you will knacker the seals.

I bought this one and it's brilliant, forget the £200, try £26

found that out when switched the power off, couldn't open the door without almost breaking the glass... thanks for the link

Locks should all work with the key, if the lock is really easy to turn, the lever may have come adrift from the key barrel to the actual lock.

the key just won't turn so I think something is jammed - will be going in next week

 

[hodroyd]

You could pop the door panel off yourself? I take it you have tried WD40 in the lock just in case? Must drop the window before power off, or just don't try and get in the car.

 

[alfazagato]

Try the "Save-a-battery" charger which both charges and discharges the battery so that it acts rather like a car in use. I plug mine in through the cigar lighter by the battery and connect up when the car in not in use.

 

[hodroyd]

Is that like a trickle charger alfa and do you have to leave the car window open for the power cable, I assume it is connected to mains?

 

[EnzoMC]

You could pop the door panel off yourself? I take it you have tried WD40 in the lock just in case? Must drop the window before power off, or just don't try and get in the car.

yep did try little WD but still solid, the door mech was replaced when I got the car so I'll leave it up to the garage to resolve - Thanks anyway


just looking at the CTek and Ring RSC1 Smart Charge both good but I thing the Ctek is the original one provided by Maserati but just rebadge. that is some price up.

 

[hodroyd]

Yes EnzoMC, Maserati are really good at using others equipment, rebadging and whacking up the price 3 or 4 times. Just like the Brake Discs.