We're heading out on a six-weeks trip. We're leaving the "Toad" in the garage. We had an older Pontiac before this new 2014 Buick Encore with all the fancy electronics.We always just disconnected the battery, and left. Hooked it up again when we returned.Now, with all this new electronics, what issues will we have if we disconnect battery and hook back up when we return.Our option is to leave it on "trickle charge", but am uncomfortable leaving it that way, with no one around to check it occasionally ...Any advice from you tech smart folks -- we'd prefer to just disconnect the battery, but don't want to upset the technology that resides in the Encore ...

We have used the battery maintainer for years. No issues to date. They are "smart" so they won't overcharge the battery. Less than $25 on Amazon.Enjoy your travels.

monkey44 wrote:what issues will we have if we disconnect battery and hook back up when we return.none.

Battery Tender....google it...Amazon, local auto parts outfit, etc.4 stage (float) so it will safely maintain your batts long term without damage.

I disconnected battery on DWs HONDA car to install new starter and had to reset clock,radio stations plus the handbook said to drive the car 10 to 15 miles to reset the idle and transmission. 100 miles later the car idles much faster than before

neighbor disconnected the battery on his new pickup and then had to drive to the dealer to have them reset the computer to get it out of limp home mode.A battery tender is much kinder to the battery than simply disconnecting it. This is for a car. My vote is for a battery tender.

Battery charge in storage? | Good Sam Community

ed6713
Explorer
Aug 27, 2014
We have used the battery maintainer for years. No issues to date. They are "smart" so they won't overcharge the battery. Less than $25 on Amazon.

Enjoy your travels.
2oldman
Explorer II
Aug 27, 2014
monkey44 wrote:
what issues will we have if we disconnect battery and hook back up when we return.
none.
downtheroad
Explorer
Aug 27, 2014
Battery Tender....google it...Amazon, local auto parts outfit, etc.

4 stage (float) so it will safely maintain your batts long term without damage.
samsontdog
Explorer
Aug 27, 2014
I disconnected battery on DWs HONDA car to install new starter and had to reset clock,radio stations plus the handbook said to drive the car 10 to 15 miles to reset the idle and transmission. 100 miles later the car idles much faster than before
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Aug 27, 2014
neighbor disconnected the battery on his new pickup and then had to drive to the dealer to have them reset the computer to get it out of limp home mode.

A battery tender is much kinder to the battery than simply disconnecting it. This is for a car. My vote is for a battery tender.
Cobra21
Explorer
Aug 27, 2014
I often leave the battery in our buick for more than 6 weeks connected, even in the winter. If it can't hold a charge that long, I don't want it,
travisej
Explorer
Aug 27, 2014
Cobra21 wrote:
I often leave the battery in our buick for more than 6 weeks connected, even in the winter. If it can't hold a charge that long, I don't want it,

X2
If it cant last 6 weeks it must be a bad battery or getting close.
RJsfishin
Explorer
Aug 27, 2014
It'll last,.....unless somebody steals it, but that don't mean that it won't have a good start on sulfation by the time you get back. I have 4 maintainers going for 3-4 months every year. That's what their designed for.
monkey44
Nomad II
Aug 27, 2014
travisej wrote:
Cobra21 wrote:
I often leave the battery in our buick for more than 6 weeks connected, even in the winter. If it can't hold a charge that long, I don't want it,

X2
If it cant last 6 weeks it must be a bad battery or getting close.

It's a new vehicle, new battery ... but, like other "items" we buy nowadays, it has electronic 'stuff' that drains battery if you leave it ... so, I'm not sure how long it will hold a charge with 'stuff' like alarms etc ... it's a mini-drain, but adds up over time.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Aug 27, 2014
Hi,

Newer cars have generally smaller batteries and more parasitic loads. Put on a simple battery maintainer. Your battery will love it.