Question: Do most roadster owners raise and lower there top with the engine running, or is it acceptable to operate the top totally off the battery?

Thanks

 

I do not believe there is anything wrong with operating the top with the engine not running. I usually put mine down with the motor running, but often I don't put it up until I have parked the car, wiped it down and put it away in the garage - with the motor off.

 

I put it down most of the time just prior to starting...I've got the Rudy switch so I can start it near the finish. When I put it up however, it is almost always running unless I'm putting it up because it got too hot or cold to have it down when I get in it next.

 

I think this is an interesting question and realized that I would always start the car before putting the top down. Today I put it down before starting the engine after reading this post. Hmmm - no difference in performance - so is it simply a preference thing?

I also like to have the air (or heater when needed) on when I have the top down, so starting the engine brings all systems operational. I recently drove a friend to her office and she was mighty surprised to find cool air coming her way while the sun was beating down on us. Not terribly fuel efficient, but sure is comfortable. Alicia

 

Just go faster and you won't need the air on...

There is nothing wrong with having the heater on those brisk days when you just have to enjoy the air. Now the A/C, when it's up in the mid to high 90's or worse and the humidity matches, Not sure where you live, but I'd just put the top up...those that were here last year during CAA know what I'm talking about.

 

Erzer - I'm in coastal NC - hot and super humidity! Feel like a wimp when I see those BMW's and Miatas tooling around with tops down - so have to prove that I am 'as good as'......

There is NOTHING like the fun of hitting the road with the top down ( in ok weather) - except on the interstate where the top is always up! I think that is called self-preservation.

Your 'trying to be cool' friend, Alicia

 

I hear you Alicia, people are always surprised about the combination of heat and humidity here in STL.
As to those others, BMW's and Miata's, you drive a more unique car and they should be taking your queue.

Come to the Fall Dragon this year and you'll be cool.

 

First off, I don't own a roadster but this is my opinion and others can chime in that may have an electrical backround. I don't see it a problem operating the top either way. My preference would be to use the top with the engine running (alternator charging). That way you are running the pump motor at a higher voltage (maybe 2 volts more) causing less amperage to operate the motor, and less wear and tear on the motor.

If I am wrong, please someone correct me.

James

 

I always have engine running not to drain battery.

 

I've done it with both the engine running and not, but usually with it running. As James said, having the motor running will give you a bit more voltage to work with and may put the top up or down slightly faster (probably less than a one second difference).

 

I usually put the top down in May and back up in October. For the few times it goes up and down in between, I may or may not have the engine running. It does not seem to matter.

 

I'll go along with this. I, almost, always lower or raise my top with engine running. Like you, I believe the motor will be running with a few less volts if the alternator is not charging. Maybe that doesn't mean a thing but I believe it would be better, in the long run, having the motor operating at full voltage.

 

You and James are right, it can be kinda hard on a motor to run on low(er) voltage. I probably should think about this...

 

I always put the top up or down with the engine running just so as not to drain the battery as it's a high amperage use.

 

As I recently experienced, the draw from putting the top up without the engine running turned into a dead battery on my next restart. The battery was original, but certainly leads me to believe that it puts a pretty good strain on it. I replaced the battery, but I always run the engine while operating the top due to that experience....

 

I always raise with the engine running...