I frequently travel for 4 weeks and am concerned that on this all electric car the battery will discharge in that time. Is a trickle charger recommended?

 

I don't think 4 weeks of idle time will kill your battery. I assume that you are then home and driving your car enough to recharge the battery before leaving again.

I used to have a Mercedes that sat for longer periods of time and that plus the quality of the MB batteries was a problem but I've had real good luck with the Lexus OEM batteries.

Dave Mac

 

I also think some of the battery draining features on the newer Lexus shut down after a certain period to prevent battery depletion issues. You would have to check your owner's manual to see which features might not be on right away when you return to your car.

Dave Mac

 

Just got back from RV trip. Just 3 days shy of 4 weeks. Fired right up.

 

My old LS430 sat in my warehouse for around 6 months, and it fired right up. I don't think there is enough of a draw for it to die that quick. You should be fine, but a battery tender is not a bad investment.

 

My longest vacation I can remember since I've owned any car is 23 or 24 days, that's the longest period I've had without starting my cars, & I was able to start up right away everytime when I came back.

 

i concur with the above, out for 35 days and cars (gs400 and sc430) started right up

 

Definitely get a trickle charger. Its not that the battery will fully discharge in 4 weeks, but it will prolong its life if its kept fully charged rather than regularly drawing it down and then recharging it.

Having had motorcycles most of my life in a northern climate, I've had plenty of expericence with long sitting batteries!

 

Very useful as I want to put a trickle charger on my ls460 just have to find the battery now

 

Just got done replacing a 2ns batt.
I drive twice a month if so, every time I have to jump the battery.
Autozone batt.
Will be getting a battery tender as I getting tired of this.

 

Depends on the season/ambient temperature - in the winter (even in the DFW area), even a new battery could drain in 3-4 weeks; in the summer (warmer), would take a lot longer. I've killed a couple of batteries myself and am now looking for a trickle charger.
- Any suggestion for a reputable trickle charger (just don't like the look of the "Battery Tender" and was hoping Lexus would offer one)?
- Also, I am investigating but do any of you know if the LS460 can be trickle-charged through the cigarette adapter (i.e., not directly to the battery terminals? I have seen that done in Corvettes and BMWs.

 

3 years ago I bought a Deltran Battery Tender Plus to maintain my Wife's baby-a 1987 Celica GTS's battery. I highly recommend you get one. It simply brings the battery up to full charge via a trickle charge, then shuts down and monitors battery voltage. It will do this automatically with no input from you except keeping it plugged in and connected to your car battery while you go about life. Very handy. When or if the battery voltage drops, it kicks on and refreshes the charge.
Do this to extend the life and cold-cranking power of your battery.

 

You are correct, the ambient temperatures make a big difference.

I use CTEK and I have never heard a bad word about them.

I too am curious about the cigarette adapter chargers/tenders. Not that I would use one, but I just wonder if they even work.

 

@ Radio 88 and Nospinzone - thank you for your suggestions. What are the model numbers for your trickle chargers. Also, where do you get the CTEK. I've found that trickle-charging through the '08 LS is not possible as it would have to be on all the time (without the ignition key).

 

Soon as I get back to the house I will get it to you.