How to top up a car battery with no power socket?
Discussion
I'm trying to figure out a way of keeping a battery topped up or getting it charged up if it's low when there's no easy way of plugging it into the mains. Say the car is parked on the street.
I've been using a portable battery power pack to jump start the car but I'd rather be able to keep it topped up.
Oh, I can easily access the battery in the boot and the cigarette lighter is live even with the power off.
Any suggestions?
I've been using a portable battery power pack to jump start the car but I'd rather be able to keep it topped up.
Oh, I can easily access the battery in the boot and the cigarette lighter is live even with the power off.
Any suggestions?
Something like this? https://www.halfords.com/motoring/battery-maintena...
Something like this? https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/streetwize-solar-ba...
Hoofy said:
I'm trying to figure out a way of keeping a battery topped up or getting it charged up if it's low when there's no easy way of plugging it into the mains. Say the car is parked on the street.
I've been using a portable battery power pack to jump start the car but I'd rather be able to keep it topped up.
Oh, I can easily access the battery in the boot and the cigarette lighter is live even with the power off.
Any suggestions?
water wheel?I've been using a portable battery power pack to jump start the car but I'd rather be able to keep it topped up.
Oh, I can easily access the battery in the boot and the cigarette lighter is live even with the power off.
Any suggestions?
bobthemonkey said:
Something like this? https://www.halfords.com/motoring/battery-maintena...
Lol!!!! Great minds think alike 
alangla said:
bobthemonkey said:
Something like this? https://www.halfords.com/motoring/battery-maintena...
Lol!!!! Great minds think alike Thanks all, the hamster wheel sounds like an idea but you're not supposed to leave animals in hot cars. A water wheel might work except in the heat, the water would evaporate.
I guess I'll look at a decent solar panel. I've got a smaller one like the one as above and it doesn't seem as powerful. Maybe it's got old and isn't working as well as it should. Will have to test it!
I guess I'll look at a decent solar panel. I've got a smaller one like the one as above and it doesn't seem as powerful. Maybe it's got old and isn't working as well as it should. Will have to test it!
bobthemonkey said:
Something like this? https://www.halfords.com/motoring/battery-maintena...
Can recommend these; dad’s daily (well, daily for him - he drives maybe once a week) has a battery-draining electrical gremlin that can’t be found and he uses one of these and the car always starts on the button. Yes. If you look up Battery Brain (and similar gadgets) it allows the battery to be totally disconnected and reconnected via remote control.
Or something like a Discarnect is a lot cheaper because it’s manual. Probably easiest, as your battery is easily accessed.
I’ve been lucky to have access to power so haven’t actually used one. But I know that a battery will hold charge for a great length of time if totally disconnected.
Or something like a Discarnect is a lot cheaper because it’s manual. Probably easiest, as your battery is easily accessed.
I’ve been lucky to have access to power so haven’t actually used one. But I know that a battery will hold charge for a great length of time if totally disconnected.
Edited by swisstoni on Sunday 8th October 22:09
I thought of an idea.
One of these: https://amzn.to/46GMpmV
mated to a CTEK device?
Edit: just seen CTEK do a CS Free for £200+.
One of these: https://amzn.to/46GMpmV
mated to a CTEK device?
Edit: just seen CTEK do a CS Free for £200+.
Edited by Hoofy on Monday 9th October 10:28
Another vote for solar. I have one of these
https://www.amazon.co.uk/AA-5060114614185-Solar-Po...
Plugs in to the ODB socket and stick the panel on the dash. The car spent weeks at a time not being used a few years back (I did about 400 miles in 9 months) and never had a problem starting it.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/AA-5060114614185-Solar-Po...
Plugs in to the ODB socket and stick the panel on the dash. The car spent weeks at a time not being used a few years back (I did about 400 miles in 9 months) and never had a problem starting it.
I've just ordered a CTEK CS Free as there's a special offer with Halfords at the mo. Was £300, with the discount that's been going on last week it was down to £280 and there's a 10% tools and workshop discount so it's now £251 at the checkout. I was unsure yesterday but just spotted this deal.
I suspect my battery is suffering from sulfation (called the AA out 2 weeks ago and he thinks it's this) and the CTEK will desulfate it.
I suspect my battery is suffering from sulfation (called the AA out 2 weeks ago and he thinks it's this) and the CTEK will desulfate it.
Update.
Turns out the CS Free doesn't do desulphation. Got a new battery in the end.
However, I'm maintaining it with the 20W Halfords solar panel. Apparently, it can overcharge so I bought a £20 solar regulator with the same connectors that the Halfords solar panel has. It all works great. Well, except when there's low light, it doesn't provide any charge. I guess there's a reason for that?
Turns out the CS Free doesn't do desulphation. Got a new battery in the end.
However, I'm maintaining it with the 20W Halfords solar panel. Apparently, it can overcharge so I bought a £20 solar regulator with the same connectors that the Halfords solar panel has. It all works great. Well, except when there's low light, it doesn't provide any charge. I guess there's a reason for that?
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