Trickle charge advice

[NealCS]

Can anyone give a definitive answer on whether I can condition my battery through the Trinket box Socket (non smoking cigar lighter) or the Cubby box accessory socket?

Car is a 2007 V8vantage roadster sportshift.

I have a 4.8w 12v solar conditioner from Maplin that terminates with a cigar-lighter style plug. I can't connect it to the boot socket as I park on the street.

Many thanks.

[pschlute]

I can't answer your question as I use the 3-pin charger that connect to the boot socket in my 2005 DB9. But if you park on the street, surely it is easier to run the power cable to the boot and shut the boot (if you can), rather than through a partially open window or door to the sockets you mention ?

edit.... just re-read your post...I guess it is easy with the roadster to have the cord go under the soft top. Watch out for the pedestrian trip-up legal claims though !

Edited by pschlute on Saturday 7th March 17:23

[Jon1967x]

pschlute said:

I can't answer your question as I use the 3-pin charger that connect to the boot socket in my 2005 DB9. But if you park on the street, surely it is easier to run the power cable to the boot and shut the boot (if you can), rather than through a partially open window or door to the sockets you mention ?

edit.... just re-read your post...I guess it is easy with the roadster to have the cord go under the soft top. Watch out for the pedestrian trip-up legal claims though !

I think you also missed the bit about it being a solar charger - I imagine its going to be left on the dash

I'm not sure which are switched - I'm sure someone will know but plan B is to plug something into them that requires power and see if they still take power after the car has been locked and its otherwise powered down.

[mjk1]

Mines an 06 V8V and the 12v socket in the centre console is perminantly live allowing me to charge through it.

[pschlute]

Jon1967x said:

I think you also missed the bit about it being a solar charger

I'll get my coat.

[nw28840]

I also have a V8 Vantage Roadster on a 2008 plate. It lives outside as I don't have a garage.

It had a new battery last year but in the last few months I haven't had the chance to drive the car much due to health issues, the car has been left for 14 days or so and doesn't start (when I have been driving it I've only been driving 30 miles or so ).
So I've had Astn Assist out a few times , but they say nothing is wrong, just the car battery is not getting a full charge.

I'd ruled out a trickle charger as I don't have a garage.

Is there a way I could have a trickle charger on the car outside and still lock the car ?
I guess this means a lead running from the battery behind drivers seat , out of the drivers door ( under hood maybe ) and then along the side of the car into the boot ?

if the above can be done, then any recommendations for a suitable trickle charger ?

Thanks,
Nick

[NealCS]

Jon1967x said:

...plug something into them that requires power and see if they still take power after the car has been locked and its otherwise powered down.

Thanks! Like so much good advice, obvious once you point it out!

The cubby hole socket stays live so problem solved (the other one had a 1p coin in it so will need its fuse changing before I can confirm, but judging from the post below yours that'll work too).

Thanks again to all who answered.

[NealCS]

Thx mjk1

mjk1 said:

Mines an 06 V8V and the 12v socket in the centre console is perminantly live allowing me to charge through it.

[Salterns]

Could I just ask a quick question on this topic. I recently got a 2009 Vantage, I've just connected it to a ctek charger. Is it ok to leave it connected all the time? I don't want to lie in bed at night wondering if my car will melt. thanks

[DBDV8]

Salterns said:

Could I just ask a quick question on this topic. I recently got a 2009 Vantage, I've just connected it to a ctek charger. Is it ok to leave it connected all the time? I don't want to lie in bed at night wondering if my car will melt. thanks

Yes. You can leave it plugged in. The smart chargers only deliver charge when it detects current flow. Once your battery is charged there is no need for current to continue to flow so the charger automatically shuts down output (decreases voltage output).
My motorcycle is left constantly on a smart charger and it's not burnt the house down yet. 😃

[Salterns]

Thank you.

[petop]

Ref leaving the CTek on and like above reply i left mine on for nearly months and nothing wrong. Car started first time after i did the foot to the floor oil prime start.