trickle charger via cig lighter ok for 56 reg Defender?

trickle charger via cig lighter ok for 56 reg Defender?

Author
Discussion

philcray

Original Poster:

845 posts

202 months

Tuesday 8th April 2014
quotequote all
Hi

Having broken my foot my recently bought 56 plate Defender is spending 6 weeks parked in the garage. My concern is that the battery is going to be flat.

I have a trickle charger (Vtech I believe although it is manufacturer branded) which plugs in via the cigarette lighter, can I just plug this in or does the Defender have any quirks which are going to cause problems?

Many thanks

Phil

blueacid

435 posts

140 months

Wednesday 9th April 2014
quotequote all
Is the cigarette lighter live when the ignition is off?

If not, then your charger won't work; you'll need to connect directly to the battery terminals. As it's a trickle charger, even just a smallish set of crocodile clips and any old flex should do: 500mA at 12v is hardly going to trouble even some naff bell wire.

billywhizzzzzz

1,982 posts

142 months

Wednesday 9th April 2014
quotequote all
why not just disconnect the battery? pretty easy and accessible on a defender.

MaverickV12

1,084 posts

137 months

Saturday 12th April 2014
quotequote all
My Defender discharges after about 6 - 7 days which is a nightmare, because then it sets the alarm off, then you can't turn it off and the neighbours must love me.

I connected a trickle charger to the cigarette lighter, but then completely forgot whether the damed thing is switched on with the ignition is on or not.

After 7 days went to use it and the battery was completly flat, alarm went off (again), won't start, now I have to charge the damn thing again.

Either the cigarette lighter is off during ignition is off, but I doubt this because are not most on all the time......?

Or the charger just was not man enough?

Or something else?

I'm getting pretty good at lifting the passenger seat now and disconnecting the battery, which is hardly the sort of action I should be taking when the car is less than 12 months old frown I even have a spare set of ear defenders for the alarm, stupid really.

Modern cars seem to be power hungry and cars seem to need a charge after about a week or so, the Defender won't last 7 days without setting the alarm off frown

anonymous-user

53 months

Saturday 12th April 2014
quotequote all
MaverickV12 said:
Either the cigarette lighter is off during ignition is off, but I doubt this because are not most on all the time......?
Usually turns off with the ignition. Elf'n'safety innit?

philcray

Original Poster:

845 posts

202 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
I haven't opened the car for a couple of weeks so not sure if the alarm will go off, the alarm led is still flashing so I am optimistically hoping that means that all is well...

Should be able to drive it in 10 days so am thinking I will leave it alone and just hope battery all ok....

MaverickV12

1,084 posts

137 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
philcray said:
I will leave it alone and just hope battery all ok....
Good luck ...... my alarm starts to go off without any help from me .... frown

philcray

Original Poster:

845 posts

202 months

Tuesday 29th April 2014
quotequote all
Cast now off broken foot so, after nearly 7 weeks sitting dormant in the garage (the car that is), I went out yesterday to spark up the Defender - and it started first time....

Took it for a spin, everything seemed to still be working and nothing fallen off as far as I can see, fingers crossed it carries on as trouble free....

Looking at the car again it is like brand new, 56 reg, metallic green 90 XS and not done 7k miles yet, good spec including lift out sunroof and winter pack, the 4 rear seats have never been sat in, I did pay top dollar but hopefully it will keep some value after the next few years....