Stupid office worker question re. car batteries

Tambohamilton · 11-21-2023, 06:56 PM

Yep - so many wires and ECUs in modern cars! They use way more juice on sleep/off than old cars did, even if everything is working correctly. And if 1 little thing isn't quite right... nightmare.

5a charger will do you fine. Consider fitting a quick connector so you can plug it in regularly and keep the battery topped up. A good smart charger like the mxs5 can be plugged in indefinitely without doing any harm.

Alfisti · 11-21-2023, 06:59 PM

This issue means we are considering selling the car but A) she absolutely loves it and B) we can't find ANYTHING for sale at the same price point that she likes. We've also done the hard yards, paid the first 4 years depreciation so now, at $36K .... if we drive it say 5 to 7 more years we get good value from it.

TheMidnightNarwhal · 11-21-2023, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfisti

This issue means we are considering selling the car but A) she absolutely loves it and B) we can't find ANYTHING for sale at the same price point that she likes. We've also done the hard yards, paid the first 4 years depreciation so now, at $36K .... if we drive it say 5 to 7 more years we get good value from it.

If you're a DIY guy I'd keep it if not yeah... depending how long you keep it it might add up. But idk I don't have a lot of experience with those cars, just my own N54 E92 lol. But yeah I know not everyone has the time or want to/like doing that.

Alfisti · 11-21-2023, 07:42 PM

DIY not worth my time, I source parts then get the work done. I'm in sales, my time is money so why go through the grief?

Just got the front rotors and pads done, dealer wanted $1600. I sourced quality parts for $380 shipped/taxes and had an indy do the work for $280 labour.

TheMidnightNarwhal · 11-21-2023, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfisti

DIY not worth my time, I source parts then get the work done. I'm in sales, my time is money so why go through the grief?

Just got the front rotors and pads done, dealer wanted $1600. I sourced quality parts for $380 shipped/taxes and had an indy do the work for $280 labour.

Oh ok yeah not bad pricing. But don't you have free time? You always sell stuff? Like what I mean is I don't sacrifice my work so I can fix the car.

Alfisti · 11-21-2023, 07:58 PM

Free time? Mate i'm married to an upper middle class white woman, I ain't got no time for that.

I also have no tools or space for tools and truth be told they call me Sex Fingers because everything I touch, I fuck. So for $280 just get it done.

Jolbex · 11-21-2023, 08:23 PM

Could be wrong but ive never seen a charger with jump function without beeing connected to wall.
As regards 5A vs 10A. Bmws, ferraris, porsches etc....they all come with rebranded 5A cteks so it should be enough.

Donatello. · 11-21-2023, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfisti

DIY not worth my time, I source parts then get the work done. I'm in sales, my time is money so why go through the grief?

Just got the front rotors and pads done, dealer wanted $1600. I sourced quality parts for $380 shipped/taxes and had an indy do the work for $280 labour.

If you won't even do something simple like a brake job, then just lease everything...

Donatello. · 11-21-2023, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Free time? Mate i'm married to an upper middle class white woman, I ain't got no time for that.

I also have no tools or space for tools and truth be told they call me Sex Fingers because everything I touch, I fuck. So for $280 just get it done.

WTF?!

Alfisti · 11-21-2023, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donatello.

If you won't even do something simple like a brake job, then just lease everything...

I will never understand you Americans and the fear of repair costs. Source the parts, drop off at Indy and get it done. I have driven the same 2008 Saab 9-3 Wagon for 13 years and the monthly cost to own is miles, miles and bloody mile less than the cheapest car to lease in this country. The cheapest lease in Canada for an absolute penalty box is $4K a year, I average about $1500 a year on the Saab over the past 5 years.

Donatello. · 11-21-2023, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I will never understand you Americans and the fear of repair costs. Source the parts, drop off at Indy and get it done. I have driven the same 2008 Saab 9-3 Wagon for 13 years and the monthly cost to own is miles, miles and bloody mile less than the cheapest car to lease in this country. The cheapest lease in Canada for an absolute penalty box is $4K a year, I average about $1500 a year on the Saab over the past 5 years.

No one said anything about fear of repair costs.

Just admit you don't know how to work on cars? None of us did until we started doing it...

No one · 11-22-2023, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

I have my jump pack in my trunk

I don't unless I feel I might have a use for it: it needs to be charged and would suffer from winter cold storage just as the car's battery.

unluky · 11-22-2023, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Unless you specifically have a jumpbox designed to be both a battery charger and jumper, they are 2 distinct products for different needs/features. OP clearly needs/asks about a battery charger.

Mine does both.

Alfisti · 11-22-2023, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donatello.

Just admit you don't know how to work on cars?

That's exactly what i said above.

TheMidnightNarwhal · 11-22-2023, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by No one

I don't unless I feel I might have a use for it: it needs to be charged and would suffer from winter cold storage just as the car's battery.

You're not wrong, I'm sure the cold reduces it's power/effect but I do take it out though from time to time to top it up. The NOCO I have is officially rated for cold temps. It's really for emergencies so I can't plan it out

At least I have roadside if that fails I guess.

Quote:

Originally Posted by unluky

Mine does both.

I did realise after you can buy some battery chargers that can also jump but I didn't see the other way around. You are saying you have a portable jump pack that can also charges? I'm curious what model it is.

Efthreeoh · 11-22-2023, 11:43 AM

Sounds like you just need a new battery and then keep the car on a battery maintainer.

Alfisti · 11-22-2023, 12:32 PM

Battery is fresh, it has a mystery power draw.

11-21-2023, 06:56 PM	#23
Tambohamilton Brigadier General 3166 Rep 4,033 Posts Drives: E91 330d Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Herefordshire iTrader: (0)	Yep - so many wires and ECUs in modern cars! They use way more juice on sleep/off than old cars did, even if everything is working correctly. And if 1 little thing isn't quite right... nightmare. 5a charger will do you fine. Consider fitting a quick connector so you can plug it in regularly and keep the battery topped up. A good smart charger like the mxs5 can be plugged in indefinitely without doing any harm.
	Appreciate 1 Alfisti6922.50 Quote

11-21-2023, 06:59 PM	#24
Alfisti Brigadier General 6923 Rep 3,269 Posts Drives: 2008 Saab 9-3 Combi Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	This issue means we are considering selling the car but A) she absolutely loves it and B) we can't find ANYTHING for sale at the same price point that she likes. We've also done the hard yards, paid the first 4 years depreciation so now, at $36K .... if we drive it say 5 to 7 more years we get good value from it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-21-2023, 07:42 PM	#26
Alfisti Brigadier General 6923 Rep 3,269 Posts Drives: 2008 Saab 9-3 Combi Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	DIY not worth my time, I source parts then get the work done. I'm in sales, my time is money so why go through the grief? Just got the front rotors and pads done, dealer wanted $1600. I sourced quality parts for $380 shipped/taxes and had an indy do the work for $280 labour.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-21-2023, 07:58 PM	#28
Alfisti Brigadier General 6923 Rep 3,269 Posts Drives: 2008 Saab 9-3 Combi Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	Free time? Mate i'm married to an upper middle class white woman, I ain't got no time for that. I also have no tools or space for tools and truth be told they call me Sex Fingers because everything I touch, I fuck. So for $280 just get it done.
	Appreciate 2 TheMidnightNarwhal2814.50 freakystyly3550.50 Quote

11-21-2023, 08:23 PM	#29
Jolbex Second Lieutenant 71 Rep 238 Posts Drives: X3 Join Date: May 2023 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	Could be wrong but ive never seen a charger with jump function without beeing connected to wall. As regards 5A vs 10A. Bmws, ferraris, porsches etc....they all come with rebranded 5A cteks so it should be enough.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-22-2023, 11:43 AM	#38
Efthreeoh General 19050 Rep 19,656 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Sounds like you just need a new battery and then keep the car on a battery maintainer.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-22-2023, 12:32 PM	#39
Alfisti Brigadier General 6923 Rep 3,269 Posts Drives: 2008 Saab 9-3 Combi Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	Battery is fresh, it has a mystery power draw.
	Appreciate 0 Quote