Almost flat battery

[ChrisnChris]

Hi all, I was going to take the car out, but the battery is almost flat. My trickle charger has failed, it's been on almost constantly for 16 years so not too bad I guess?
The power light is on but the charge indicator lights are not
Everything is working but not enough to start the car.

I have a standard battery charger with croc clips for connecting directly to the battery. The battery isn't accessible without rolling the car out of the garage, which is on a slight incline. I'm on my own & not going to do that.
If I were to replace the standard charger croc clips with the Accumate 'cigar lighter end' and try & charge the battery through the cigar lighter, as the Accumate does, will the car explode, or the fuse blow, or will I cause irreparable damage to something.
I know nothing about electrickery except that red is blue, plus is minus and you should always stand in a bucket of water when playing with electric string

Thanks

[Alan_D350]

Our ctek charger goes through the cigarette lighter (using a proper ctek adapter), so I can't see why not unless the current was going to be particularly high. Would recommend the ctek though as it's both a charger and maintainer in one unit.
Not the complete answer I guess without knowing the capacity of the wiring in the car and the charger output, but in principle it's not unusual to charge that way.

[ChrisnChris]

Thanks, the Accumate was also both charger & maintainer & served me well, in pretty much constant use for 16 years. My question was with regard to a 'normal' battery charger & whether I could use it through the cigar lighter, with the appropriate connector, as that's my only connection point at the moment.
Cheers

[nawarne]

ChrisnChris said:

Thanks, the Accumate was also both charger & maintainer & served me well, in pretty much constant use for 16 years. My question was with regard to a 'normal' battery charger & whether I could use it through the cigar lighter, with the appropriate connector, as that's my only connection point at the moment.
Cheers

Chris....
Think you'll find the cigar lighter is fused for 10Amps...So wires/loom should be good for that current.

Most 'standard' battery chargers give a peak of 6 Amps (I believe - mine does), which tails off as the battery becomes charged (and batt internal resistance rises)....SO Yes you should be fine to connect a normal charger to cigar lighter.

Nick

[ChimFender]

Hi,
The reason for having a fuse in any circuit is to protect the wiring should heavy current occur which may be due to a short to earth or overvolting. If you have a problem with your proper charger, the worst case is the fuse will blow you will not damage your wiring, that is assuming your fuse is of the correct rating. Good Hunting
Chimfender

[ChrisnChris]

Excellent, thanks chaps. I'll fit a connector to the charger so I can swap between croc clips & the cigar lighter terminal.
I'll monitor it through the evening just to be sure.

Much appreciated

[AutoAndy]

Also check that your battery will still hold charge if I to is old...

[ChrisnChris]

Just to update the thread, the car started on the button, I've now switched the charger to trickle mode. BTW the charger was about £12.50 from Lidl a couple of years ago. It'll be interesting to see how long it lasts

Thanks

[TheRainMaker]

Alan_D350 said:

Our ctek charger goes through the cigarette lighter

ctek seem to be the way forward, loads of different types of connecters, I now have indicators and sockets fitted (no more crock clips needed) to all my cars, and mounted two chargers to the wall in the garage.

Ctek Battery Chargers by The Rain Maker, on Flickr

Edited by TheRainMaker on Monday 22 August 12:15