Hi, we are now keeping our 2008 HHR at our second home in NC, the car will sit without starting for 2 to 4 months at a time, was thinking of adding a Master disconnect switch to the negative terminial to eliminate the battery from draining, I look at it today and it looks like the negative terminal cable is attached to a ground next to the battery, thinking It will be just as easy to disconnect that cable as it would be to put a quick disconnect switch on it. Thoughts?

Also, it looks like there is a 50 amp fuse right there too, what is that for.

Thanks

 

If the RCDLR firmware has not been updated a disconnected battery will result in TPMS and possibly remote door lock failure. This is a problem with 2008 models.
The maxi-fuse powers the BCM.

 

How would I know if it was updated. Also, had a new battery put in about a year ago and did not have any of those issues, would that mean it has been updated.

thanks

 

Whoever installed it may have used a memory saver. No way to tell besides trying.

 

Better to install a battery tender

 

that’s what I do for my Corvette’s and works great, unfortunately AC is not convenient to where I can park the car at that house to power a tender.

 

Solar tenders are cheap.
This one plugs into the cig lighter for about $15

 

I agree with using a battery tender but make it a good one. A piece of junk from Harbor Freight blew up a battery for me. Not in a car, fortunately.

 

I only use Battery MINDers. They have a temperature compensater on them to regulate float level in various temps. And Solar powered ones..

Last battery tender I had, fried my bike battery.. It now sleeps with the fishes.

 

A $10 solar panel and a $8 charge controller and a bit of soldering will do the job. since you are only trying to keep it from discharging.