Storing a 911- Add a kill switch?

[5ickride]

Hi,

i purchased my 911 a few months back and now with winter approaching she wont be moving for a while. My concern is the battery draining, i guess i can just unplug it but i'd rather do something more convenient. Is a kill switch a good option? Or do I do a battery trickle? Any other better options?

[megerian]

Most people put them on a trickle charger. There are several threads devoted to ideas for winter storage. I won't try to repeat all of the info, but most have a theme of:

- Trickle charger for battery
- Inflate tires to higher pressure to avoid flatspotting
- Fuel stabilizer

[AVIMAX]

Don't use a regular trickle charger, that will kill your battery. Use something like a Battery Tender, or a CTEK battery charger, they are designed to maintain your battery. You can keep them plugged in to your battery for the whole winter and you don't have to worry, the battery will be good in the spring. I use it on my car year round, I just plug it in whenever I'm not driving the car for more than a few days. I've been using a Battery Tender for at least 10 years on my cars for winter storage and never had battery issues. The only other thing I do is make sure the fuel tank is topped up to limit any condensation over the winter. My Porsche is usually parked mid Nov - mid March.

[scarceller]

If you really don't plan to use the car at all for a few months.

Just fully charge it, disconnect it and if possible remove it from the car and set it in a dry space on a block of wood.

[OsoMoore]

I pull the battery out of my car and put it on a Tender in the basement to keep it from getting really cold. My garage is not heated.
I also do the fuel stabilizer in a completely full tank of gas. So far I haven't had any real issues in the spring.
I'm in Milwaukee, so it gets close to 0 at times throughout the winter.

[FrenchToast]

Originally Posted by scarceller

Just fully charge it, disconnect it and if possible remove it from the car and set it in a dry space on a block of wood.

This.

And not directly on concrete - it will discharge.

A cutoff switch is a good idea, but primarily for other reasons IMO. If you do choose to install one, it should be a stout unit, not a dinky thing.

Fill gas tank. Stabilizer if you want. The ethanol mixture now in most gasoline, if let to set, can condense forming water and then corrosion.

Nice 3.2 But your tires look pretty old?

[hbueno]

In the 16 years I have owned my SC, I have never disconnected the battery nor have I used a battery maintainer over the winter. In the spring, it starts right up. Of course, the only current draw is from the clock, which can't be much. Later cars may have more current draws from alarms and such, so your mileage may vary.

Hugo

[porwolf]

A lead-acid battery, common car battery is best stored fully charged. With age it will disintegrate if not fully charged. Even if not connected a battery will slowly lose charge. For longer storage I would take the battery out of the car and frequently charge it up or put it on a battery maintainer.

[Lapkritis]

Longer winters in northern states mean we're off the road for 7-8mos of the year. I always do this:

1) Gas Stabilizer
2) Fill tank on top of stabilizer and then drive for ~20mins to ensure it's diluted and distributed throughout the fuel system.
3) Wash, wax and detail car.
4) Air up tires.
5) Place dryer sheets / Fresh Cab in the three compartments.
6) Mouse traps in the three compartments (bonnet, passenger cabin, engine bay). Ensure traps are on a disposable surface like cardboard or cookie tin so you don't ruin your carpet if you score a kill. Don't use bait... they'll die in the car hiding and you'll live with the stench for a couple years. Check the car once a week or two for visitors.
7) Remove battery from vehicle and move to warm location; connect to battery tender. Harbor Freight sells one cheap that works well. I make a practice of labeling batteries for all that I have on the shelf with a trickle.
8) Remove floor mats, vaccuum, and place in bag under bonnet.
9) Open glove box and remove contents.
10) Cover vehicle, set security.

[5ickride]

You guys are great! Thanks for all the info.

[tharbert]

Hey 5ickride, maybe over the winter, you can drop that puppy from rally height. Just sayin'

[gtc]

Originally Posted by tharbert

Hey 5ickride, maybe over the winter, you can drop that puppy from rally height. Just sayin'

But that takes the fun out of rallying it!
(ok, mine's actually a bit below euro height)

[ghamilton]

Since we are talking winter storage. Do NOT set e brake! Once in a while hop
in and depress the clutch and brakes a few times. I roll her forward and
back a few times to free up brakes.

[Lapkritis]

We have our first winter storm warning tomorrow. That means I'm going to drive it around tonight for perhaps the last time this year. I plan to fill with up on non-ethanol gas in the tank with stabilizer. This brings me to another point - if you're in lake country then ask around the marina for a non-ethanol blend/ straight gasoline source. Where I'm located we have two such distributors at the pump in a 5mi radius.

[5ickride]

Originally Posted by tharbert

Hey 5ickride, maybe over the winter, you can drop that puppy from rally height. Just sayin'

Lol...i thought of going the other way, filling in the gaps with bigger wheels

Originally Posted by gtc

But that takes the fun out of rallying it!
(ok, mine's actually a bit below euro height)

Nice setup there

[Lapkritis]

I hear you can't lose with 22's.

[fiminod]

"In the 16 years I have owned my SC, I have never disconnected the battery nor have I used a battery maintainer over the winter. In the spring, it starts right up. Of course, the only current draw is from the clock, which can't be much. Later cars may have more current draws from alarms and such, so your mileage may vary.

Hugo"

And in doing this allows for some mountain fun on a sub 30 degree sunny day...

[hbueno]

Right on! My criterion is salt. As long as there's no salt on the ground, I'll drive it.

Hugo

[Pstallo]

I just installed the Rennline kill switch and put in an Odyssey battery and the Rennline battery holder and am pleased with it. Just pop the hood, flip the switch, and done. I haven't had any problems with it.

Since it's not for racing, I just installed the two-pole switch. I suppose I could swap it out for a 6-pole later.