Car Trickle charger.

[SPS]

Hi I am about to purchase the above as the one I have only has the battery croc clips (does not offer any other charging method), and I want to us the cigarette lighter option.
Looking at CTEK and was going to purchase the MSX 3.6 charger. I called CTEK direct and was informed that I would be better with the 5.0 one instead.
Any thoughts?
Cheers
Steve

[ChimpofDarkness]

Many of the little maintenance chargers come with a battery fly lead, simply connect the ring terminals directly to your battery.

If you are using a CTEK charger and you need: CTEK 56382 (it may already be included in the box)

Running a charge to the battery via your cigarette lighter socket will work, but hooking the charger directly to the battery is a better solution in my opinion.

The CTEK 56382 comes with a charge indicator which is a nice feature, it also has an in line fuse for added peace of mind.



Well work taking 10 minutes with a 13mm spanner to do the job properly in my opinion.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CTEK-Comfort-Indicator-E...

[BliarOut]

I've hard wired a fused mini Andersen lead in my centre console. Just drag it out from under the gear lever gaiter and away you go

I use the Aldi/Lidl chargers, they're brilliant value for money...

[carsy]

I have the ctek 3.6 and charge through the cigarette lighter. Works fine and a lot easier than reaching down into the passenger footwell.

[Sevenman]

I have the Ctek 3.6 and charge through the cigarette lighter. Can't see why you would need the 5.0, the 3.6 has a clever approach to charging /conditionig and is up to the job.

I don't leave it connected all the time, but if I haven't used the car for a while I may connect it for a day or two.

[ChimpofDarkness]

carsy said:

I have the ctek 3.6 and charge through the cigarette lighter. Works fine and a lot easier than reaching down into the passenger footwell.

Easier yes, better & safer no

If you favour convenience then go with the cigarette lighter socket method.

Personally (& knowing TVR wiring) I would always go direct to the battery.

Well worth taking 10 minutes to do the job properly in my opinion.

If you use a long enough lead, once fitted it really shouldn't be any less convenient than plugging your charger into the ciggy socket.

Don't take this the wrong way, but I think they offer the ciggy socket thing for people that aren't comfortable fitting two wires to their battery.

Fitting a fused fly lead direct to your battery will not only be more effective, it'll be safer too.

[carsy]

You are probably right Dave. Already have a small charging lead coming off the battery. Just got fed up with reaching down in the footwell. Maybe i should take 10!mins and extend my battery lead to somewhere more accessible.

[BliarOut]

Ahem

[bad company]

I have been using a 'convenient' ciggy socket for over 10 years with no problem at all.

[SPS]

carsy said:

You are probably right Dave. Already have a small charging lead coming off the battery. Just got fed up with reaching down in the footwell. Maybe i should take 10!mins and extend my battery lead to somewhere more accessible.

My problem is that the battery on mine is under the n/s wing and I have to park my car very close to the garage wall - any way I'll check to see if it has the Anderson leads etc.
Cheers
Steve

[swallet]

I too was recommended the CTEK 5.0 for my 450 Chim - so I bought one - absolutely fantastic, can't fault it.

[Englishman]

I bought a Ctek 3.6 with a cigarette lighter cable when I first bought the Sag over 7 years ago. I leave it plugged in when I'm not using the car for more than a couple of days. I'm still on the original battery which says it all really.

[swallet]

Englishman said:

I bought a Ctek 3.6 with a cigarette lighter cable when I first bought the Sag over 7 years ago. I leave it plugged in when I'm not using the car for more than a couple of days. I'm still on the original battery which says it all really.

Yeah in hindsight I think the 3.6 would have been fine - I think I was well "upsold" as it were.
Still I'm happy with what I've got.
I also have the cig lighter plug but as my cig lighter doesn't work I connect direct to the battery.

[SPS]

Hi Guys - thanks for the info - I have just bought the CTEK 5.0 with the cigarette attachment (have already checked that it has a live feed) at a good price from Amazon!
Cheers
Steve

[GTRene]

swallet said:

I too was recommended the CTEK 5.0 for my 450 Chim - so I bought one - absolutely fantastic, can't fault it.

I have that one too, the MXS 5.0...works great, love it

[SPS]

GTRene said:

I have that one too, the MXS 5.0...works great, love it

Love your BMW - not many Hartge cars around - particularly in the UK - very nice.
Cheers
Steve

[GTRene]

SPS said:

GTRene said:

I have that one too, the MXS 5.0...works great, love it

Love your BMW - not many Hartge cars around - particularly in the UK - very nice.
Cheers
Steve

Thanks, but its not a BMW although its based on it
it has a Hartge chassisnumber (not BMW) and is also titled as Hartge

there are many (most) so called Hartge (various models) but in the documents they are BMW, they have "only" Hartge tuning/styling parts, I'm very happy mine is a real one (also the only one in this model)

It is more a crossing between a smooth and reliable BMW and a raw TVR.