The two suggestions are different ways of obtaining the same thing.

IE, a vehicle that starts when you return.



If you don't feel like spending the $$ for a good brand of maintainer (check out CTEK 5.0)

Amazon.com

Then just disconnect the negative post on the battery. (Don't be alarmed at the multiple dash lights for the first few miles, while the car's systems recalibrate)

If you need an inspection in your locality, also note that it takes a few drive cycles for the readiness codes to set after the disconnect. If not 'ready', you will fail inspection.

 

I would go with the battery maintainer, no disruption so no warning lights to get through when you try restarting. I do this with one of my cars for the winter with no problems. Also agree with getting a good brand and the one mentioned in the post above is one of the best. I have attached an article reviewing these types of maintainers.

6 Best AGM Battery Chargers and Maintainers

These are the best AGM battery chargers/maintainers for your car, SUV, RV, boat, or any other vehicle.

durabilitymatters.com

 

Pay particular attention to the AGM-designation on a battery maintainer if your CRV has an AGM battery. AGM batteries don’t take kindly to chargers for the traditional lead-acid sort.

 

Here's the thing... starter batteries, unconnected to anything, will slowly self discharge on their own. the self discharge rate is ~ 1% of charge per day. [Sitting connected to your CRV, it will discharge at about 3% per day]. So... at the end of about 4 months, the battery will be so depleted it likely will not start your vehicle until it is recharged before reconnecting it to your vehicle. The problem is, allowing starter battery charge to decay, even if only self-discharge, causes accelerated sulfation of the plates in the battery (the most common cause of early battery failure).

Hence... leaving your battery connected to your vehicle and a smart charger/maintainer attached will insure you battery is continually refreshed and it's charge kept topped up. So that is the better approach, given after 5 months your battery sitting will generally need a charge before you can use it again anyway.

 

Great advice! Thanks for the information-- Looks like a CTEK is the way to go.

Which ever maintainer you get - make sure to opt for extra connectors for permanent install if you have more than one vehicle. No messing around with crocodile clamps, the battey terminals are usually isolated and/or messy with all kinds of cables.

I have had CTEK leads in both our motorcycles for quick charger connection, very convenient.

Thanks for the quick response!! Off to buy a CTEK!

 

Which ever maintainer you get - make sure to opt for extra connectors for permanent install if you have more than one vehicle. No messing around with crocodile clamps, the battey terminals are usually isolated and/or messy with all kinds of cables.

I have had CTEK leads in both our motorcycles for quick charger connection, very convenient.

 

All great advice. I guess it all depends on which is more convenient or even possible to do. In my case, my CRV was parked in the front of my garage and not inside. So I had no choice but to disconnect the battery and could not use a battery maintainer.

 

You had other options though.

You could have used a solar powered battery maintainer though. This is in common use by folks now days that need to park outdoors, and for prolonged period of time. Just be sure to get one that is at least 15 watts rated solar power... because anything smaller in cloudy weather won't be sufficient.

You also have the option of installing the battery maintainer under the hood, and run a connecting plug to a external weatherproof extension cord hookup arrangement if you are near enough to an exterior wall outlet to do so. This is not unlike setups in cold weather locations for block heaters. If you can do a block heater setup outdoors, you can do a battery maintainer setup outdoors.