Airport car parking for 3 weeks

[jc62b]

Hey guys & girls. Car is a 2014 C220 Coupe.
We are going on holiday soon for 3 weeks.
We were away for 2 weeks last year & when I tried to unlock the car nothing happened. Had to use the ‘hidden key’ to open doors & boot. MB assistance replaced the battery for free (dud cell), so battery relatively new.
My question do you thinkwill it start up after being left for 3weeks in the airport covered car park?

 

[jc62b]

Hey, had another thought. Could I connect up one of those powerpacks via 12volt plug in the car & leave it connected for 3 weeks?
Or is this a no no? Thanks for any help.

 

[Gav78]

I was on holiday for 3 weeks at the end of last year with my CLS parked on the drive, it opened off the remote and started first time so i reckon you should be ok. The fact that you couldn't unlock the car with the remote after 2 weeks might challenge this opinion though, how old is your battery?

 

[jc62b]

Hi Gav, thanks for the quick reply,as mentioned above, the battery was replaced last year so about a year old. After the problems last time I’m just a bit concerned it could happen again.

 

[jc62b]

Maybe I’m just paranoid after last experience.

 

[st13phil]

If the battery's in good shape - which it should be as its only a year old - 3 weeks parked up won't be a problem.

 

[190]

If you knew the current drawn by the alarm system the drain on the battery can be calculated. I have figures for my old car which was 35mA.

35mA x 168 x 3 = 17.6 Ah

On top of that there is the self discharge rate of the battery which will depend on age and the ambient temperature.

I used to reckon on 2.5% per week which on my 85Ah battery is another 6.4 Ah. So 24 Ah in total.

That's more discharge than I'd be comfortable with unless the battery was newish. I wouldn't try it with my current 8 year old battery even though it shows no signs of being on it's way out.

3 weeks airport parking must be quite expensive. How does a taxi compare ?

 

[Gav78]

Hi Gav, thanks for the quick reply,as mentioned above, the battery was replaced last year so about a year old. After the problems last time I’m just a bit concerned it could happen again.

With the battery having been replaced i think you'll be fine mate.

 

[skippyjasper]

Hey, had another thought. Could I connect up one of those powerpacks via 12volt plug in the car & leave it connected for 3 weeks?
Or is this a no no? Thanks for any help.

If you have one the power packs I'd be sure it's fully charged and keep it in the trunk (boot). I've started a '98 E320 with an almost depleted battery. It's amazing how much grunt these handheld devices have.

Cheap insurance though as others state you are probably fine with your current battery.

Have a good holiday.

Skippy

 

[jc62b]

Thanks for your help & replies guys. All very helpful. Think I’m going to leave the fully charged power pack in the boot.
Hopefully it’ll start ok. I’ve never left a car for so long before so needed some solid advice.
The car was booked into the parking before I considered the 3 week idle time. Helpfully, it’s in the covered parking so that may help as well. Cheers.

 

[cheddar]

Should be fine, you’ve just been unlucky before.
I have left mine for over a month and it’s still started ok on a few occasions. Mine is much older at 2008 but on the other hand it’s not got the same level of fancy features like comand online that could sap the power slowly.

 

[Petrol Pete]

Left my (2006) C55 standing at the airport for the 3 weeks before Christmas, charged power pack and jump leads in the boot. Neither were required, started first turn. no idea how old (new) the battery is but it not a sealed type it looks a good few years old, labels on it are all in German and has Mercedes Benz written all over it. I did top the cells up a few months ago, took about a cupful.

The car is -as I type- sitting in another airport car park (for 2 weeks this time) in the UK, so I am going to shut up now and not tempt fate any more than necessary

 

[OneForTheRoad]

use a solar charger as a drip feed.

 

[Codger49]

OP did state 'airport covered car park'.

 

[toolman1954]

Most Airport parking places have a jump battery on hand, flat batteries are a regular occurrence so just turn on your lights to stop a big power surge if you are concerned about your electrics.

 

[Lennox]

use a solar charger as a drip feed.

That's what my parents have. They leave cars in French airport carparks for months at a time. Never have an issue.

Sent from my Huawei note 8 using my fingers

 

[OneForTheRoad]

ok , if its a covered carpark , look for a chink of light and park there using your solar charger.

 

[ph47mf]

get to the airport by public transport?

 

[jc62b]

Thanks for all the help guys. Very much appreciated. Think, after cheddar & Petrol Pete replies, I’m more confident of leaving it.
As a backup I’m going to also leave the jump leads & powerpack in the boot.
Lots of interesting replies. Thanks a lot.

 

[Deleted member 65149]

Most Airport parking places have a jump battery on hand, flat batteries are a regular occurrence so just turn on your lights to stop a big power surge if you are concerned about your electrics.

Agreed. I once returned to my car in an airport car park to find the lights had been left on so the battery was flat. The people at the car park had the car running less than 20 minutes later. They want you on your way ASAP so they can get another paying customer into the space.

BTW, I’ve left my 2012 C350 at airport carparks for 3 and more weeks with no problems.