Will pulling fuses keep Explorer battery charged?

[yeterp]

I have a 1996 Ford Explorer on a small island that is driven about once a month. What fuses can I pull to stop drain on the battery. I suspect radio presets drain the battery but I don't know if that is a significant drain. Anything else? I use a solar charger but it doesn't help much in the winter.

Thanks,

Yeterp

 

[toypaseo]

Why not just unhook the battery...?

 

[fastpakr]

Nothing ought to drain the battery that fast. Use a meter to check amp draw on the different circuits at the fuse box.

 

[donalds]

Nothing ought to drain the battery that fast. Use a meter to check amp draw on the different circuits at the fuse box.

Or test the battery

 

[fastpakr]

Yes, do that as well.

 

[Mbrooks420]

It’s not the radio presets. If you aren’t going to track down the offending circuit, just pull the battery cable like suggested by Toypaseo.

Actually, I’d install a cut off switch and wire the solar panel onboard of the switch so that still keeps the battery charged.

 

[toypaseo]

Maybe consider a battery charger/maintainer. I have an older version of this Battery Tender Plus. I keep it hooked up to my Paseo that rarely gets driven nowadays due to my work schedule. Works great

https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-0128-Maintain-Damaging/dp/B00068XCQU

 

[koda2000]

Add a battery tender or just remove a battery cable or add a battery switch. Seems easier than removing fuses.

 

[96firephoenix]

does the cruise control recall apply to a 96? IIRC, that drains the battery as well as being a fire hazard...

 

[koda2000]

does the cruise control recall apply to a 96? IIRC, that drains the battery as well as being a fire hazard...

I think it does, but just ask your Ford dealership to check for open recalls on you VIN.

My 2001 5.0L EB sometimes sits garaged for months between starts. I find after a couple of months the battery is very low (fairly new battery). It will still start the engine, but it struggles a little, so there's enough of a drain to be concerned about if you don't use your vehicle on a regular basis, especially if it's sitting outside in winter.

If you have power near where you leave your Expl, get a Deltran maintenance battery tender to keep if fully charged (around $40 on eBay). It's water proof and it will keep your battery charged w/out over-charging it.

 

[Mr. Alligator]

does the cruise control recall apply to a 96? IIRC, that drains the battery as well as being a fire hazard...

I believe the cruise control recall just added a fusible link to cruise control wiring... probably would not change slow battery draw.

 

[koda2000]

I believe the cruise control recall just added a fusible link to cruise control wiring... probably would not change slow battery draw.

You're probably correct, but if the recall has not been performed it should be done.

 

[96firephoenix]

I believe the cruise control recall just added a fusible link to cruise control wiring... probably would not change slow battery draw.

There was also a new switch, that I thought was wired differently... I'm not a 2nd gen guy though...

You're probably correct, but if the recall has not been performed it should be done.

For sure.

 

[Explorer2.0]

Perhaps get something similar to this. We keep one on the rear deck of our car that sits outside.
https://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-S..._rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=7QFHX4CR82RPMX9JBB8B

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