Battery Charging/Conditioning
Discussion
What are you guys using/recommending for keeping your batteries in tip top condition?
How long is it okay to leave the vehicle without worrying about door opening/starting issues?
Looking at a hardwired CTEK XS 3600, however if you're parked with no access to power is a solar charger any use? if so, which one?
Thanks in advance.
How long is it okay to leave the vehicle without worrying about door opening/starting issues?
Looking at a hardwired CTEK XS 3600, however if you're parked with no access to power is a solar charger any use? if so, which one?
Thanks in advance.
I use a Halfords trickle charger / conditioner for my cars. I modified one set of leads so I could use the Ctek cigarette lighter.
On the Chim I charge every week, if I haven't used the car. Using the cigarette lighter. I don't leave the charger on all time, probably 12 hrs max.
How long you leave it between charges depends on the capacity of the battery and what electrical things are drawing current e.g. Alarm or clock.
I don't like leaving chargers on all the time, in my experience it degrades the battery I.e. doesn't hold charge.
I am not convinced with the solar charges, depends on their output vs the current drain.
On the Chim I charge every week, if I haven't used the car. Using the cigarette lighter. I don't leave the charger on all time, probably 12 hrs max.
How long you leave it between charges depends on the capacity of the battery and what electrical things are drawing current e.g. Alarm or clock.
I don't like leaving chargers on all the time, in my experience it degrades the battery I.e. doesn't hold charge.
I am not convinced with the solar charges, depends on their output vs the current drain.
On my Griff with a battery cut off isolator switch, my old battery holds its charge for 3 months in storage, all be it with two top up charges during that time. On returning from Australia after a 3 month tour, my BMW diesel started first time with its 5 year old battery. Like the Griff the battery was isolated to prevent drain during that time. Works for me. No worries.
The battery chargers Lidl do once in a while as "specials" for about £15.00 are fully CPU controlled battery conditioners, with carefully controlled charge cycles to keep the battery topped up, but without gassing. The only issue I have if the mains power drops off, they need to be reset to the correct charge cycle mode again.
I have a battery brain fitted seems to do the job , also have a C-Tek which also does the job...as long as someone else in family decides to click switch off
Little tip, if you do have a tired battery,then you can revitalise it by doing this.
About half pint of RAINWATER & 2 large table spoons of Epsom salts, bring to boil & let cool for about 10-15 mins, pour the Epsom salts in slowly while stirring & make sure its all dissolved, let it cool some more & pour the solution into each cell & put on charge.
My brother in law has a farm & has done this over a number of years each year on his lorries & tractors works just fine & extends the battery life.HTH
Little tip, if you do have a tired battery,then you can revitalise it by doing this.
About half pint of RAINWATER & 2 large table spoons of Epsom salts, bring to boil & let cool for about 10-15 mins, pour the Epsom salts in slowly while stirring & make sure its all dissolved, let it cool some more & pour the solution into each cell & put on charge.
My brother in law has a farm & has done this over a number of years each year on his lorries & tractors works just fine & extends the battery life.HTH
Edited by gerradiuk on Sunday 10th March 12:53
blitzracing said:
The battery chargers Lidl do once in a while as "specials" for about £15.00 are fully CPU controlled battery conditioners, with carefully controlled charge cycles to keep the battery topped up, but without gassing. The only issue I have if the mains power drops off, they need to be reset to the correct charge cycle mode again.
I've got one of these, does the job but only come with crocodile clips so would like to get a cigarette light adapter or similar if I get round to it. If I don't use the car for 2 or 3 weeks then I'll pop it on the conditioner until I come use it again.rigga said:
Optimate hooked up all the time the car is garaged., can be months at a time over winter but as its a conditioner and not a charger its fine, does not degrade the battery in any way.
+1 been using one for the past 5yrs 1st on my R1 and now on the car.No problems what so ever
Act Daft said:
rigga said:
Optimate hooked up all the time the car is garaged., can be months at a time over winter but as its a conditioner and not a charger its fine, does not degrade the battery in any way.
+1 been using one for the past 5yrs 1st on my R1 and now on the car.No problems what so ever
gerradiuk said:
I have a battery brain fitted seems to do the job , also have a C-Tek which also does the job...as long as someone else in family decides to click switch off
Little tip, if you do have a tired battery,then you can revitalise it by doing this.
About half pint of RAINWATER & 2 large table spoons of Epsom salts, bring to boil & let cool for about 10-15 mins, pour the Epsom salts in slowly while stirring & make sure its all dissolved, let it cool some more & pour the solution into each cell & put on charge.
My brother in law has a farm & has done this over a number of years each year on his lorries & tractors works just fine & extends the battery life.HTH
"BATAID" is a product that does this. Used it some years back on a Cavalier.Little tip, if you do have a tired battery,then you can revitalise it by doing this.
About half pint of RAINWATER & 2 large table spoons of Epsom salts, bring to boil & let cool for about 10-15 mins, pour the Epsom salts in slowly while stirring & make sure its all dissolved, let it cool some more & pour the solution into each cell & put on charge.
My brother in law has a farm & has done this over a number of years each year on his lorries & tractors works just fine & extends the battery life.HTH
Edited by gerradiuk on Sunday 10th March 12:53
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