Carcoon / sealed storage options + powering off solar?

[Norman]

Hi, I'm looking for the best way to keep my new machine dry and rust-free in my rented, non-insulated garage. 

Have heard about inflatable Carcoons, but they seem really expensive. Can anyone recommend another brand? Also which size would suit the Caterham - presumably the smallest one? 

Also I'd be looking to power it off a leisure battery with a solar panel on the roof. Does anyone have any experience with this? 

Thanks 

[Golf Juliet Tango]

I run a Carcoon from a pair of leisure batteries each 105Ah and change them over each week.  As the garage is rented from the council, I have not added a solar panel but Optimate have the solution: https://www.optimate.co.uk/ (scroll to the bottom).  

I spoke to https://www.photonicuniverse.com/en/catalog  but, although they ought to be able to do something, they never came back with an offer.  I did explain that I saw it as a way to prolong the interval between recharging, not as a way to avoid the need to swap batteries.  In contrast, at Autosport earlier this year the man on the Optimate stand understood the approach in a flash. Their product looks complete, tidy and their battery maintenance products are great.  They supply Carcoon with their PSU/battery maintenance unit.

There are a few alternatives to Carcoon but all at much the same price: Hamilton do one http://www.hamiltonclassic.co.uk/ as do Airflow UK  https://www.airflow-uk.co.uk/airchambers/  there may well be others

 

[SLR No.77]

If you buy a Carcoon or Air Chamber you’ll get a good return if you sell it later, there’s very few available s/h.

Stu.

[Norman]

Thanks guys, GJT I'll have a read to up on the Optimate power solution. 

*Edit  I just met with the garage landlord and he says he doesn't want me putting a solar panel on the roof of the garage, so that solution is out...  

Guess your switching 12v battery idea is the next best thing? With the power that the carcoon requires, is 1 week the interval you've worked out before the battery goes flat? 

cheers 

C 

[Golf Juliet Tango]

Yes Norman, a week is OK, the battery is not flat and the bubble inflated.  10 days in winter and the battery is exhausted and bubble deflated.

Although I have two battery conditioners for the Caterhams, their output is rather weedy for a 105Ah battery, so I also bought a more suitable conditioner (Numax 121000) at the same time.

It's not a cheap solution (depending on how you value these things).  

Often recommended supplier is Tayna https://www.tayna.co.uk/  (I used them and they were helpful and delivery was prompt)

I have wondered about putting the solar panel on the door.

[Norman]

Ok good to know. I have just bought a CTEK MXS 5A 12v charger and conditioner for the leisure batt in my van, guess this will also do a pretty good job of the the 1-week-each 12v garage batts if that’s the option I go for. And I guess for the Caterham battery too if it needs it? 

Could be promising! 

[Golf Juliet Tango]

If you are planning to leave the Seven over the winter, I'd take the battery out and bring it home. This is what I have done but that is partly because that car is on SORN.

For a few weeks, just isolate it.

[Golf Juliet Tango]

BTW: the Numax model of charger/conditioner can deliver 10A