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- Three years ago, I left my car parked for six weeks and came home to a dead battery.
- A neighbor helped jump-start it, but the battery ultimately had to be replaced.
- Since then, I’ve started using a $29 smart battery charger whenever I travel.
- After seven weeks away this summer, my SUV started instantly and the battery was stronger than ever.
- If you don’t drive often or leave your car parked for extended periods, this inexpensive device could save you hundreds of dollars.
Three years ago, my family and I went away for six weeks during our kids’ summer vacation. When we arrived home from the airport around 8:30 p.m., I decided to make a quick run to Trader Joe’s before they closed at 9 p.m. to pick up some much-needed groceries.
The moment I opened the garage door, I knew something wasn’t right. My 2019 Lincoln Nautilus didn’t light up like it usually does when I approach it. When I got inside and none of the dashboard lights came on, I realized the battery was dead.
Before calling Lincoln Roadside Assistance, I texted a couple of neighbors to see if they had any ideas. My SUV was parked facing forward in the garage, so there wasn’t enough room for another car to pull in and give it a jump. Both neighbors replied almost immediately and said they had portable battery chargers that could be connected overnight, which should have enough power to start the car in the morning. I gladly took one of them up on the offer.
When my neighbor popped the hood, it was the first time I’d ever seen the engine since the SUV had never given me any problems. The next morning, I was up early and eager to see if the overnight charger had worked. Unfortunately, it hadn’t.
The Halo HALO Bolt 58830 mWh Portable Phone Laptop Charger Car Jump Starter with AC Outlet and Car Charger
The HALO Bolt 58830 mWh Portable Phone, Laptop and Car Jump Starter
My neighbor then grabbed another device about the size of a small cable box (pictured above) with two short jumper clamps attached.
“This should do it,” he said as he connected the red clamp to the positive terminal and the black clamp to the negative terminal. He pressed a button on the device and, voilà! The dashboard lit up, I pressed the start button and the SUV fired right up.
It solved the immediate problem, but only temporarily. The battery wouldn’t hold a charge, and I couldn’t keep jump-starting it every time I wanted to drive somewhere. I took it to the dealership, where they replaced the battery. Fortunately, it was still under warranty because it would have cost close to $400.
The simple solution
Last year, when we left for another six-and-a-half-week trip, I asked to borrow my neighbor’s battery maintainer, which he had recommended. His unit was old and not available to buy anymore, but it worked like a charm. When we returned, the doors unlocked the moment I walked up with the key fob in my pocket. I could even open the rear doors just by pulling on the handles, something that hadn’t been working before we left. I hadn’t realized how weak the battery had become.
During Black Friday last year, I bought a NOCO Genius1 12V Smart Battery Charger and Maintainer for just $29. Before leaving on our seven-week trip through Europe, Canada and Chicago, I connected it to the battery. To make sure I had everything hooked up correctly, I snapped a photo of the charger and uploaded it to ChatGPT. It walked me through the setup, pointed out that I needed to change one of the settings and confirmed everything was connected properly.
Sure enough, after seven weeks away, we came home and the SUV started like it was brand new.
It was easily one of the best $29 purchases I’ve ever made. Considering a replacement battery would cost at least $400 (and probably more today), the charger paid for itself many times over.
What’s interesting is that even the dealership told me they have to recharge every vehicle on their lot every month because these modern batteries slowly discharge when they sit unused. They said Ford won’t cover a dead battery caused by long-term storage to their dealers, and these batteries really need to be driven regularly or connected to a maintainer every two to three weeks to stay healthy.
I can’t recommend the NOCO Genius1 12V enough if you don’t drive your car often or plan to leave it parked for an extended period.
A battery maintainer (sometimes called a trickle charger or smart charger) continuously monitors your battery and automatically switches into maintenance mode once it’s fully charged. That keeps the battery topped off without overcharging it, helping prevent discharge, extending its lifespan and ensuring your car starts when you get home.
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I purchased a banana type disconnect switch for my battery terminal. I had it installed at the dealership. When I leave town, I lock all the doors, and turn it off. There is a manual key on the fob which allows access when I return. I do this every time I leave the car for more than 1 week. The battery is always good. Search for “car battery disconnect switch”. There are many options all under $20.
Thanks for sharing