REVscene Automotive Forum - View Single Post - Can we talk about battery boosters in condos and other areas without a wall outlet?

bcrdukes · 01-06-2022, 06:37 AM

What options do you have for charging your vehicle? I know some vehicles have the ability to charge through the cigarette lighter port. If you have that capability, you can use something like a Jackery in there or one of those smaller portable battery/jumper packs. Check to see if your 12v port actually supports battery charging before you make a decision.

There are several risks to this approach and some food for thought:
1. Weather - How cold is it where you are and how will it impact the battery pack you end up using? If it's very cold in your garage, the drudgery is having to recharge your battery pack regularly, or at least it translates to more routine visits to your car to check on the battery pack.

2. This is unlikely, but will the battery pack explode in your car or invite thieves? The risk is relatively low but your insurance company (I presume ICBC) may not like it.

3. This might not apply to you based on the age of your vehicle, but how far are you away from your vehicle?

When I was in a condo, my battery would die pretty quickly because I found out that the security algorithm used in my Boxster would keep searching for the key for 2-way communication and the cold weather accelerated the battery's death being so far away from the car. My car was in P4 which was as far as it goes. I'd have to have a battery pack on standby to jump start the car when I took it out of storage for spring maintenance or at least a set of jumper cables to get the car going and it was pretty annoying sometimes.

Ever since I moved into a townhome with a garage, the battery hasn't died without doing anything and it's currently in storage and I'm still able to fire the car up. I've since connected it to a Noco battery charger/maintainer, so I don't have the same problem anymore. I don't think you need a massive battery pack to achieve what you're looking to do but it's perhaps a question of how often do you want to invest in checking up on your battery, or if you prefer a "set it and forget it" solution.

Hope this helps.

01-06-2022, 06:37 AM	#7
bcrdukes RS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Your Location Posts: 33,891 Thanked 15,477 Times in 6,535 Posts Failed 550 Times in 370 Posts	What options do you have for charging your vehicle? I know some vehicles have the ability to charge through the cigarette lighter port. If you have that capability, you can use something like a Jackery in there or one of those smaller portable battery/jumper packs. Check to see if your 12v port actually supports battery charging before you make a decision. There are several risks to this approach and some food for thought: 1. Weather - How cold is it where you are and how will it impact the battery pack you end up using? If it's very cold in your garage, the drudgery is having to recharge your battery pack regularly, or at least it translates to more routine visits to your car to check on the battery pack. 2. This is unlikely, but will the battery pack explode in your car or invite thieves? The risk is relatively low but your insurance company (I presume ICBC) may not like it. 3. This might not apply to you based on the age of your vehicle, but how far are you away from your vehicle? When I was in a condo, my battery would die pretty quickly because I found out that the security algorithm used in my Boxster would keep searching for the key for 2-way communication and the cold weather accelerated the battery's death being so far away from the car. My car was in P4 which was as far as it goes. I'd have to have a battery pack on standby to jump start the car when I took it out of storage for spring maintenance or at least a set of jumper cables to get the car going and it was pretty annoying sometimes. Ever since I moved into a townhome with a garage, the battery hasn't died without doing anything and it's currently in storage and I'm still able to fire the car up. I've since connected it to a Noco battery charger/maintainer, so I don't have the same problem anymore. I don't think you need a massive battery pack to achieve what you're looking to do but it's perhaps a question of how often do you want to invest in checking up on your battery, or if you prefer a "set it and forget it" solution. Hope this helps. Last edited by bcrdukes; 01-06-2022 at 06:43 AM.