Charging battery via ciggie lighter

[Sid's Dad]

Ok so this is my first post, so be nice to me. I keep my 59 Humber in a garage with no power, so I can't have a trickle charger connected to the battery. The car has to go in nose first, so if the battery were to fail to start the car, it's a big PITA to jump start it. I've seen a booster that plugs into the ciggie lighter - you leave it for 15 mins and it boosts the battery. On the face of it, it looks an ideal solution, but I'm worried about putting that much juice through 53-year-old dashboard wiring.

What does the collective wisdom of PH think? Anyone used one of these? Quite safe or am I asking for a dashboard fire?
Really appreciate your views......

[RonnieH]

What about running a 2 core wire straight from the battery to the boot, and connecting it to a 12v solar charging panel fitted onto the garage door outside...???

[mph]

Providing you use a battery conditioner such as an Optimate you shouldn't have any trouble, they're designed for low-level charging and even have a plug for exactly this purpose. You can leave them connected all the time and they'll keep your battery topped up.

I would be more cautious plugging a regular charger in though as they can charge at a much higher rate.

[Globs]

Sid's Dad said:

I've seen a booster that plugs into the ciggie lighter - you leave it for 15 mins and it boosts the battery.

NO, on no account ever do this.
Even charging a battery at about 4 amps through this I have had the plug heat up and start melting.
There is a limit of 10amps anyway on that.

If you are storing it long term then disconnect the battery, or hook longer cables under the car, up next to the engine and to the battery. Proper cables, connected to a proper charger.

[Sid's Dad]

Thanks for this. As far as I can see Optimates require a mains input so that's a no, but I like the solar panel idea - I could put it on the garage roof and it would probably still be there when I came back.....the main thing is you have confirmed my doubts about using the ciggie lighter....

[charlie926J]

My herald also goes nose-in but I have a decent side window in the garage plus translucent roof panels so there's a fair bit of light inside. I have a solar trackle charger (about £20 from Amazon) connected to the battery, leave the bonnet unclamped and the solar panel on the roof of the car. Seems to be doing its job so far.

[droopsnoot]

Another vote for the solar charger - I have one on the Firenza, and there's enough light in the shed to keep it doing something. That said, I have a good battery and run the car once a month, so I can't actually tell whether it's helping or not.

[na]

obviously you'd be a lot better driving the car on a regular basis especially as you don't need MoT or 'road tax'

obvious stuff but, if you put a solar on the roof then allow for the possibility of it getting covered or blocked by leaves or debris and face it towards where the sun will be most in the winter sky

[FUBAR]

Globs said:

NO, on no account ever do this.
Even charging a battery at about 4 amps through this I have had the plug heat up and start melting.
There is a limit of 10amps anyway on that.

If you are storing it long term then disconnect the battery, or hook longer cables under the car, up next to the engine and to the battery. Proper cables, connected to a proper charger.

I've had my TVR hooked up to an Acumate for approaching 7 years, often left untouched for 4 months over the deepest of winter and never had a problem (with starting or the 12v plug unit heating up)

[na]

FUBAR said:

I've had my TVR hooked up to an Acumate for approaching 7 years, often left untouched for 4 months over the deepest of winter and never had a problem (with starting or the 12v plug unit heating up)

reread OP

[Globs]

FUBAR said:

I've had my TVR hooked up to an Acumate for approaching 7 years, often left untouched for 4 months over the deepest of winter and never had a problem (with starting or the 12v plug unit heating up)

The OP's question was about a battery booster, not a trickle charger of about an amp.
Have a read of the first post, go on, knock yourself out.

[gattonero]

I have hooked up my TVR to Acumate for the last 12 winters - would recommend it

[HustleRussell]

Sid's Dad said:

I keep my 59 Humber in a garage with no power, so I can't have a trickle charger connected to the battery.

Quoted to help those who are struggling to read the OP

[FUBAR]

gattonero said:

I have hooked up my TVR to Acumate for the last 12 winters - would recommend it

Dont go there chap, these beardy types get very tetchy over a genuine misread mistake.

[na]

FUBAR said:

Dont go there chap, these beardy types get very tetchy over a genuine misread mistake.

just trying to help OP, you and others

I often misread posts but some don't bother reading many previous posts or original post which is OK but possibly wont help with original post

personally I'm clean shaven and don't have sensitive skin

[FUBAR]

Was said in jest Nigel

Although Mr Globs seemed most offended by my misread.

[na]

FUBAR said:

Was said in jest Nigel

oh no, that makes me look tetchy then

isn't this form of communication great for misunderstandings, good job no one really gets hurt