going away for a couple of weeks-battery drain likely?if so can i lock the car without activating the alarm?any suggestions welcome 05`V8 AUTOBIOGRAPHY

I don't think so. I think there is a way to deactivate the passive inside (maybe double click remote from memory, but handbook will say.

You can get a solar battery saver that sits on the dash (plugged into lighter). Unless your in the garage! My Previous RR's!

2008 TDV8 Vogue
2006 TD6 Vogue
2007 TDV8 Vogue
2007 RRS (I know, it doesn't count!)
2005 4.4 Vogue on LPG
2005 TD6 Vogue
2003 4.4 Vogue
2001 4.6 HSE
2000 2.5 DHSE
1999 4.6 HSE
1997 4.6 HSE on LPG
1995 2.5 DSE
1989 3.9 EFI classic
1988 3.5 EFI classic

You could disconnect the -ve terminal on the battery and then lock the car manually assuming your drivers door lock works ok.
If your battery is ok you would then have a fully charged battery when you come back to the car after your hols.
Battery isolating switch makes this even easier.
You would need to do the steering wheel lock to lock after reconnecting the battery.

I don't use mine much so I'm going down the solar powered battery saver route, as I'm sick and tired of finding an almost flat battery when I do come to use the thing! Cheers

Greg

Go ahead punk, make my day........

Previous vehicles:-
Far too many to list (in excess of 45!)

Another vote for the solar battery charger. Plug it into the boot accessory socket as that's on a permanent live. Si. <This is my name.

I eat rat poison.

A man ain't truly been insulted until he stands buck naked in front of a woman and she didn't even notice. Or care.

Just a case now of deciding which one gives the best results! This one has a good review on Amazon:-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Solar-Briefcase-Ba...EXOF1IUXXQ

However, it is sold under various brand names (including Gunson, who make good quality strobe timing lights) and the price varies between £18-£30 depending where you look (e.g. fleabay, Amazon, MachineMart etc).

Any suggestions or recommendations anyone?  Cheers

Greg

Go ahead punk, make my day........

Previous vehicles:-
Far too many to list (in excess of 45!)

Well, solar charger arrived and is plugged in. Before connecting it, a reading with a voltmeter put the battery at only 12.1v, but after 30 minutes of "solar charging" it is already up to 12.35v!

I ended up buying one of these, mainly as it is a well-known brand:-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003M9F...&psc=1

It's about the size of a notebook and I've got it stuck to the windscreen on the passenger side and plugged into the cigarette lighter, which means I can disconnect it easily before starting the engine (recommended in the instructions!). It's not where I initially intended it to go, which was in the boot, but I think the tinted windows in the rear reduces the effect of solar panels, and it also makes it a pain in the butt to disconnect each time I start the engine.

Hopefully this means no more jump-starting!! Cheers

Greg

Go ahead punk, make my day........

Previous vehicles:-
Far too many to list (in excess of 45!)

If it were skinnier you could have put it on the sunroof blind between the sunroof and the blind and just left it there all the time and then tucked the cable into the headlining a bit like the solar sunroofs some cars now offer  FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

Just been out and tested your idea and it does fit.

However, the sunroof is tinted (I think?) so I'll leave it for a few hours to see if it still charges as effectively as having on the windscreen.  Cheers

Greg

Go ahead punk, make my day........

Previous vehicles:-
Far too many to list (in excess of 45!)

So assuming it's up front as you suggested where did you plug it into. I thought the up front cig lighter sockets have no power when the ignition key is out? Ash
------------------------------------------------------
2016 SDV8 AB

It's plugged into the front lighter socket and the socket definitely works when the key isn't in the ignition.  Cheers

Greg

Go ahead punk, make my day........

Previous vehicles:-
Far too many to list (in excess of 45!)

Glad to have been a help to someone

I reckon it will drop a bit but should be enough to keep a battery topped up! FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

Should have mentioned, I have put it back on the dash for the time being, until I have the confidence to pull apart the headlining and windscreen trim!

I'm just hoping it will keep the battery topped up enough so that I don't need to use my Powerpack any more. Having to dig that out of the boot and connect it to the battery 4-5 times a week is getting tight on my t*ts!  Cheers

Greg

Go ahead punk, make my day........

Previous vehicles:-
Far too many to list (in excess of 45!)

^Bosch S5 110AH
Still started my TDV8 after 15 days at the Airport, alarm armed and tracker system running too. 
Had it, loved it!
2007 Vogue SE TDV8
Stornoway Grey / Ivory
Climatic Seats, RSE, AFS, Deployable steps, iPod kit.

I wish I had invested in a Bosch S5 too (mines an Alphaline 100AH from Performance Batteries - it's complete ).

I've had nothing but problems with it since I bought it last winter. I only need have the tailgate and passenger doors open for 5 minutes whilst cleaning the interior, and I end up with not enough juice to fire her up.  Cheers

Greg

Go ahead punk, make my day........

Previous vehicles:-
Far too many to list (in excess of 45!)