[madcitysteve]

We left our 2 mo old at the Milwaukee airport for 8 days. When we got back on the 1st the battery was as dead as a doornail. I may have not closed the rear hatch properly - not sure, but as I understand this light will go off after 20 minutes or so.

Was it too cold and coupled with all the electronics which still need to be powered enough to drain the battery?

As an aside also found there is no easy way to open the rear hatch without power. It can be done but it is very inconvenient. We had to load the luggage through one of the back doors.

 

[schan1269]

If you park where there is sun...

Amazon.com: 10w Solar Panel Charging Kit for 12v battery ----- Waterproof Aluminum Body Charge Contoller - Braket Included- 20 Feet Wire - Cigarette Plug with Fuse - Alligator Clips with Fuse ----- Car & Boat Battery Maintainer: Automotive

That one can be left "outside" corded to the grill. As long as sun hits it and the temp is no lower than 22, snow melts back off.

 

[Easy Fixer]

Parasistic draw

Check to see if there is electrical current above 1 amp leaving the battery. I would have the dealer do this. If there is more than 1 amp going out, your battery will go dead. You might do what I do when I park my Forester for long periods of time. I purchase a very easy to use battery switch and turn it off before I leave.

 

[for4me]

No juice?

You should actually check whether the hatch light has a timer or not.
In my 2011, only the dome light has a 20 minute timer; not the hatch, map or door lights.

 

[dpm]

^ this.

 

[Majorlk]

Mine isn't timed, either. If you find yourself not latching the the hatch on a regular basis, turn the trunk light off and only turn it on when you open the hatch, then turn it off again before closing. Cumbersome, but better than a run-down battery.

BTW, the problem is pretty much eliminated if you replace all the interior lighting with LEDs. The current draw is so small you could probably leave all the interior lights on all night without having an effect upon the battery.