Is it risky to leave a hood open for one night?
Posted by turcois@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 12 comments
My dad's flying in tomorrow to help me replace brakes on my truck, which has been sitting idle for long enough that the battery is dead (something I didn't think to check til this morning). But it's still clicks when trying to start up and the lights turn on so it's not completely busted and I figured I would use a car battery charger. Only thing is I have a 3 amp for a 12 volt battery, which I'm told means it will take between 12 and 24 hours to charge up. I'm going to be charging today but I'd like to charge it overnight too so that we can start working on it in the morning, only thing is I'm worried about animals potentially chewing on wires or something. It's parked behind the house so I'm not worried about people, but it's close enough to an area with lots of trees and bushes that there are squirrels and birds. Am I being paranoid and worrying about animals or will I 99% most likely be fine for just one night.
One_Evil_Monkey@reddit
You'll be fine. If the wind's not blowing like crazy... don't sweat it.
Bottom of engine bay is open anyway, if truck's been sitting and there weren't any critters in there when you opened the hood, they're not gonna bother with it when it's open for a day.
If you're that worried about it, set the charger on the fender well, or somewhere else nearby the battery, and close the hood just on the safety latch.
Broad-Angle-9705@reddit
I would be more concerned that a strong gust of wind could bend it backwards against the windshield than animals doing anything to it.
EconomyScall@reddit
They can get to the engine without the hood being open
turcois@reddit (OP)
Damn I feel stupid 😭 didn't even realize, thanks
Electrical-Bacon-81@reddit
Yes, rats actually dont like it if you leave your hood popped, because they are primarily active at night & like a dark place to sleep during the day.
4non3mouse@reddit
if anything leaving the hood open makes it less likely rodents will chew or nest in your engine
OkKnee7580@reddit
Can u take the battery out and charge it
The_Wandering_Steele@reddit
As long as you don’t have a hood light you should be fine.
FutureHendrixBetter@reddit
You don’t have to leave it wide open just press the hood click and leave it like that don’t touch it since it’s already “open”
popcornfart@reddit
In the rural southwest people leave their hoods up anytime they park for an extended time. It keep the packrats out. Rodents look for a dark place to nest. You will be fine.
w4rkry@reddit
You are overthinking it. You can leave the hood open for a few days with no problems.
The engine bay is very open on the bottom, and easy to climb into. Animals will crawl in from the bottom easily if they want. Getting in through the hood opening is actually the harder path for most animals.
TimboFor76@reddit
The entire bottom of the engine bay is open and would be a just as likely entry point for critters. I’m in a windy area and my concern is the wind catching an open hood making a mess of things. So I set the charger on the radiator support and lay the hood on it.