Practically Classics Forum

I always disconnect the battery on mine when not in use simply because its still on the original loom and I feel safer leaving it disconnected rather than risk a fire.

So I too end up with terminal on and off each time I use the car. I do not secure the terminal though I just rely on a push fit and in the seven years I have owned the car it has never been an issue or for the previous owner who I know did the same.

Another thought; assuming you have a shortish negative lead, why not have 2. One for shows and one for "normal" so you can have a modern clamp that you don't need to worry about.
edit: yet another thought, When I bought my range rover it had one of these on it: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-Batte ... 0772927539
That big screw cuts off the connection when you undo it a couple of turns.

I disconnect the tractors' earth leads when I don't expect to use them for a while. The batteries hold their charge much better, though I don't really know why it should make a difference - capacitance in the system when it's connected perhaps? I would get a cut out switch/connector like Luxobarge suggests but it isn't a lot of hassle for me - the terminals are the clamp type and easy to reach.

I lost grip with the terminal on my old Wolseley when I was a lot younger - a panel pin or two were put in the hole and that gave the screw enough grip! It may not be perfect or elegant but it lasted as long as the battery did.

I can't use the standard style of battery disconnect as I can't securely attach the old-style cap to the bar, which is why I posted here for alternatives. I already use one in my later Allegro that uses modern clamps, to great effect.

The main reasons I have to disconnect are the radio & clock. While the load they place on the battery is slight, I can go for weeks without using the car (I've never been one to run it for a few minutes without going anywhere) and this is plenty to kill off the charge; I accidentally left it connected for 10 weeks once & could barely get the interior light to come on. While I was able to recover the battery that time, it's left its mark and the most recent time I needed to use the car I couldn't even get it going with a jump! Swapping in a known-good battery had it starting straight up, so I know it's not any other part of the system.

The trickle charger would be my first choice, but it's stored in a powerless lock-up so it's a non-option. And as this is my "show car", I don't want to change anything from how it was when I got it; it's not 100% original, but it's a lovely example of period enhancements.

I've received advice from the club forum about disconnecting the earth lead at the other end instead, so I'll be trying that for a while.

Does the lock-up have a window of any kind? If so, I'd be looking at a solar-powered trickle charger/conditioner, available fairly cheap these days.

But then again, I expect you've already thought of that, too!

Cheers

No, no window - and unless I was able to visit it daily, I don't think I'd want one with a window anyway

Up and over door? Solar panel stuck to door, cables over the door, long enough to connect to battery and still have slack to shut the door without risk of pulling cables off battery or shorting out?

Similar ideas have been considered, I'll have to see how long such cables can reliably be & see if that's compatible with the location. Luckily the site is south-facing - finally a break!