I will be locking my P38 up for the first time since I bought it for about 2 weeks as I will be testing a couple of press cars and I am yet to leave the car more than 2 days without being used. The previous owner whacked a new battery on when I bought the car a few weeks ago and although firing up can be a little slow in the mornings, there doesn't seem to be any battery issues.

My question is, am I better off disconnecting the battery for the 2 weeks I will not be using it, or should I just leave it assuming all will be well as it has now done about 350 miles on a new battery? Normally I wouldn't even ask as I would still expect it to start after only 2 weeks, but I know these cars can drain all their power in less time.

Thanks in advance.

If it is likely to be a regular thing that you leave it for 2 weeks or more, then you would be wise to invest in a CTEK battery charger to leave it on trickle charge and keep the battery in tip top condition.
I regularly leave my L322 for periods of 4weeks, so I have a cable permanently attached to the rear fuse box, so it only takes seconds to plug it in.
Mike G reg 2.5VM Vogue Portofino red 1991- 1999
V reg 2.5td P38 Rioja red 1999- 2006
53 reg td6 Vogue Oslo blue 2006- 2015
11 reg 4.4 TdV8 Vogue SE. Baltic blue 2015- date.
https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic56162...tty+affair

That is in my longer-term plan as I also want to wire in an easy access point.

Out of interest, which CTEK unit did you use? I've been looking at the MXS 5.0 but have no idea what I'm looking at, if I'm being honest...

Mine is the MXS 5.0, and it works well. G reg 2.5VM Vogue Portofino red 1991- 1999
V reg 2.5td P38 Rioja red 1999- 2006
53 reg td6 Vogue Oslo blue 2006- 2015
11 reg 4.4 TdV8 Vogue SE. Baltic blue 2015- date.
https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic56162...tty+affair

Perfect, thanks - added to the eve-growing list of bits!

For the time being, I think it should be alright, I'm just going to check it and run it every few days.

Lower cost option.

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic54567.html

My 2001 Vogue P38 will happily sit for over two weeks with no negative effects on the battery. I am sure you already know but the drain issues tend to come from the older remote receiver in the boot for the key fob or a electrical drain somewhere.

Without sounding like I am teaching you to suck eggs. Did the previous owner fit the proper sized battery? These cars are meant to have the large ones that totally fill the tray not the normal sized car batteries. You can live with the smaller batteries but in my experience they chew through them.

All that said, there cannot be any harm at all in a trickle charging system too. 2011 Range Rover Vogue 4.4 TDV8
2003 VW Golf V6 4motion
2001 Range Rover Vogue 4.6
1982 Range Rover in VOGUE
1990 Range Rover Vogue SE
2007 Audi A6 Avant Le Mans Quattro S-Line 3.0 TDI
2007 Skoda Ovtavia 2.0 TDI L&K
2007 GSX-R 750 K7

My mate used to have a solar charger on his dashboard when he left it at Heathrow. The key alarm system keeps waking it up and that drained it. Solar panel solved it  Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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I would disconnect the battery mine will go just about two weeks but any more and its a no no I use a cute on the p38 the l322 is used everyday and the classic is disconnected. It depends where it will be parked if in public the solar trickle charger may work. I have one for the p38 but have never used it must have a go

Benfelrr wrote:

My 2001 Vogue P38 will happily sit for over two weeks with no negative effects on the battery. I am sure you already know but the drain issues tend to come from the older remote receiver in the boot for the key fob or a electrical drain somewhere.

Without sounding like I am teaching you to suck eggs. Did the previous owner fit the proper sized battery? These cars are meant to have the large ones that totally fill the tray not the normal-sized car batteries. You can live with the smaller batteries but in my experience they chew through them.

All that said, there cannot be any harm at all in a trickle charging system too.

DrRob wrote:

My mate used to have a solar charger on his dashboard when he left it at Heathrow. The key alarm system keeps waking it up and that drained it. Solar panel solved it

Sandyt wrote:

I would disconnect the battery mine will go just about two weeks but any more and its a no no I use a cute on the p38 the l322 is used everyday and the classic is disconnected. It depends where it will be parked if in public the solar trickle charger may work. I have one for the p38 but have never used it must have a go