Recommend me a good trickle charger!
Discussion
For various reasons I can't drive the car for a while but I'm going to get a friend to drive it once per week but I want to invest in a decent trickle charger.... With a catch.
I have a garage but it's full of stuff so the car had to be left outside. It can be parked quite close to the garage but I need a charger where the clips can be fed through the kidney grille in the bonnet and into the garage.... And I need the cables long enough to actually get to the garage.
My battery is flat now and it's on charge with my good charger but the charger connections are just too short to reach an extension lead inside the garage, so the extension lead and charger are currently under the bonnet with the bonnet slightly ajar (not ideal)....
So.... Either I need a cable with pretty long crocodile clips (or one with the ability to add extension crocodile clips... If there are any please link/recommend) or one where the plug side is very long and can be disconnected.
Unless someone can think of another way?
I don't mind spending a bit of cash if it's a good one and will do the job well and can reach. My current charger is one of these
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ring-Automotive-RSC516-Sma...
Many thanks in advance!
I have a garage but it's full of stuff so the car had to be left outside. It can be parked quite close to the garage but I need a charger where the clips can be fed through the kidney grille in the bonnet and into the garage.... And I need the cables long enough to actually get to the garage.
My battery is flat now and it's on charge with my good charger but the charger connections are just too short to reach an extension lead inside the garage, so the extension lead and charger are currently under the bonnet with the bonnet slightly ajar (not ideal)....
So.... Either I need a cable with pretty long crocodile clips (or one with the ability to add extension crocodile clips... If there are any please link/recommend) or one where the plug side is very long and can be disconnected.
Unless someone can think of another way?
I don't mind spending a bit of cash if it's a good one and will do the job well and can reach. My current charger is one of these
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ring-Automotive-RSC516-Sma...
Many thanks in advance!
Harrytsg said:
I use a Ctek charger on my TVR, it cycles through a small discharge then recharge.
The car is in a car port, but is outside, it's connected through the cigarette socket as this is 'live' when the ignition is off.
Works really well.
Got a link? My cigarette lighters stay live.... So does the cable just feed through the shut doorThe car is in a car port, but is outside, it's connected through the cigarette socket as this is 'live' when the ignition is off.
Works really well.
ideally the cable from the cigarette lighter to the charger would be long enough to get from cigarette lighter to garage (few metres), or I leave the charger in the car and the cable from the charger to its plug is long enough to get to the garage. If I was to hazard a guess we're talking 3 metres, maybe a bit less, from bonnet to garage.
I've got a CTEK conditioner and it seems pretty good. It's managed to resurect one battery that I'd pretty much given up for dead, so it's probably already paid for itself. 
Mine came with a cable which you bolt ot the battery terminals. The charger then plugs into a plug on the other end of that cable so you don't have to faff about with the battery. It also came with more conventional crocodile clips.
Mine came with a cable which you bolt ot the battery terminals. The charger then plugs into a plug on the other end of that cable so you don't have to faff about with the battery. It also came with more conventional crocodile clips.
CTEK every time. Use them on bikes, cars and boats. I used to have cheaper ones but they didn't do as good a job. Lots of manufacturers supply them with cars too such as Lamborghini and Porsche.
You can buy additional leads which extend the standard ones too. For my motorbikes I have the short lead that comes with it routed through the bodywork and zip tied to the frame. The plug is waterproof and by doing this means I don't have to remove the seats etc.
You can buy additional leads which extend the standard ones too. For my motorbikes I have the short lead that comes with it routed through the bodywork and zip tied to the frame. The plug is waterproof and by doing this means I don't have to remove the seats etc.
kambites said:
I've got a CTEK conditioner and it seems pretty good. It's managed to resurect one battery that I'd pretty much given up for dead, so it's probably already paid for itself.
Mine came with a cable which you bolt ot the battery terminals. The charger then plugs into a plug on the other end of that cable so you don't have to faff about with the battery. It also came with more conventional crocodile clips.
Yup, that's what I've got.Mine came with a cable which you bolt ot the battery terminals. The charger then plugs into a plug on the other end of that cable so you don't have to faff about with the battery. It also came with more conventional crocodile clips.
CTEK MXS 5.0 I think. Here: http://www.ctekchargers.co.uk/ctek-mxs5.0.php?gcli...
Like Kambites, I have hardwired the ring terminals to the battery, then I have routed the cable out of the car at the rear, and the socket is hidden away when in general use (there's a weather-resistant cap on it). When it's parket in the garage I just connect up the plug to the rest of the charger, job done.
I'd be tempted to do the same with yours - there must be somewhere you can tuck away the plug at the front of the car - probbaly lower grille or something, then just route the cable through he engine bay.
Only thing I've yet to do is wire up a little warning circuit to light a little LED on the dash to remind me it's plugged in - not that I've nearly driven off with it connected several times or anything...
E65Ross said:
Harrytsg said:
I use a Ctek charger on my TVR, it cycles through a small discharge then recharge.
The car is in a car port, but is outside, it's connected through the cigarette socket as this is 'live' when the ignition is off.
Works really well.
Got a link? My cigarette lighters stay live.... So does the cable just feed through the shut doorThe car is in a car port, but is outside, it's connected through the cigarette socket as this is 'live' when the ignition is off.
Works really well.
ideally the cable from the cigarette lighter to the charger would be long enough to get from cigarette lighter to garage (few metres), or I leave the charger in the car and the cable from the charger to its plug is long enough to get to the garage. If I was to hazard a guess we're talking 3 metres, maybe a bit less, from bonnet to garage.
The lead from the charger to the cigarette socket plug is about 1m, but I see no reason why this cannot be extended so long as the correct wire size is used and polarity retained.
So would that ctek charger and 1 (or 2!) of these would work....
http://www.ctekchargers.co.uk/ctek-56304.php
Am I therefore correct in thinking that the crocodile clips side of the charger can be disconnected so I'd have the plug and charger in the garage, then the extension cable from charger and that connects to the crocodile clips which goes to the battery?
Cheers
http://www.ctekchargers.co.uk/ctek-56304.php
Am I therefore correct in thinking that the crocodile clips side of the charger can be disconnected so I'd have the plug and charger in the garage, then the extension cable from charger and that connects to the crocodile clips which goes to the battery?
Cheers
I've got a Ctek that I bought to keep my MX5 conditioned when it's not used much over winter.
If you buy one, make sure you get one with a reasonable current output though, as my 3.6A one took ages to charge the battery in the E38 when it went flat after being parked up for a couple of weeks and is only apparently intended for batteries up to 85Ah. The MXS 5.0 claims to be OK with batteries up to 110Ah: http://www.amazon.co.uk/CTEK-MXS-5-0-Temperature-C... but there's also a 7A version.
Ctek also sell a 2.5m extension cable for about £12 that will give you a bit more flexibility on where you locate things.
I think I'd look at extending the output wires on your Ring charger to let you locate the charger unit in the garage. The only advantage I can see of replacing your current charger with a Ctek is the ability to connect the extension cable, so it's a fairly expensive solution.
EDIT: In the time it took me to write that, half of it's been answered above! Yes the extension goes between the charger output and the croc clips so would let you keep the charger in the garage.
If you buy one, make sure you get one with a reasonable current output though, as my 3.6A one took ages to charge the battery in the E38 when it went flat after being parked up for a couple of weeks and is only apparently intended for batteries up to 85Ah. The MXS 5.0 claims to be OK with batteries up to 110Ah: http://www.amazon.co.uk/CTEK-MXS-5-0-Temperature-C... but there's also a 7A version.
Ctek also sell a 2.5m extension cable for about £12 that will give you a bit more flexibility on where you locate things.
I think I'd look at extending the output wires on your Ring charger to let you locate the charger unit in the garage. The only advantage I can see of replacing your current charger with a Ctek is the ability to connect the extension cable, so it's a fairly expensive solution.
EDIT: In the time it took me to write that, half of it's been answered above! Yes the extension goes between the charger output and the croc clips so would let you keep the charger in the garage.
Edited by RDB on Wednesday 31st December 10:50
RDB said:
I've got a Ctek that I bought to keep my MX5 conditioned when it's not used much over winter.
If you buy one, make sure you get one with a reasonable current output though, as my 3.6A one took ages to charge the battery in the E38 when it went flat after being parked up for a couple of weeks and is only apparently intended for batteries up to 85Ah. The MXS 5.0 claims to be OK with batteries up to 110Ah: http://www.amazon.co.uk/CTEK-MXS-5-0-Temperature-C... but there's also a 7A version.
Ctek also sell a 2.5m extension cable for about £12 that will give you a bit more flexibility on where you locate things.
I think I'd look at extending the output wires on your Ring charger to let you locate the charger unit in the garage. The only advantage I can see of replacing your current charger with a Ctek is the ability to connect the extension cable, so it's a fairly expensive solution.
EDIT: In the time it took me to write that, half of it's been answered above! Yes the extension goes between the charger output and the croc clips so would let you keep the charger in the garage.
I agree, but how on earth can I extend the cables? What I'd need ideally is something a few metres long which can connect from the crocodile clips from my RING charger which connects as crocodile clips to the charge terminals on my car. Is that possible? If you buy one, make sure you get one with a reasonable current output though, as my 3.6A one took ages to charge the battery in the E38 when it went flat after being parked up for a couple of weeks and is only apparently intended for batteries up to 85Ah. The MXS 5.0 claims to be OK with batteries up to 110Ah: http://www.amazon.co.uk/CTEK-MXS-5-0-Temperature-C... but there's also a 7A version.
Ctek also sell a 2.5m extension cable for about £12 that will give you a bit more flexibility on where you locate things.
I think I'd look at extending the output wires on your Ring charger to let you locate the charger unit in the garage. The only advantage I can see of replacing your current charger with a Ctek is the ability to connect the extension cable, so it's a fairly expensive solution.
EDIT: In the time it took me to write that, half of it's been answered above! Yes the extension goes between the charger output and the croc clips so would let you keep the charger in the garage.
Edited by RDB on Wednesday 31st December 10:50
Edit - don't I just need ultra long jump leads? Hook the crocodile clips from jump leads onto the crocodile clips of the charger and run them through the kidney grille to the battery charging terminals?but that would leave a live part in the garage which I'd be weary someone else may touch/knock. What I want is something like a female to male crocodile clip extension lead, where you could insert the crocodile clips into a socket, which runs a cable going to crocodile clips! Sorry this is turning so difficult!
Edited by E65Ross on Wednesday 31st December 11:03
E65Ross said:
I agree, but how on earth can I extend the cables? What I'd need ideally is something a few metres long which can connect from the crocodile clips from my RING charger which connects as crocodile clips to the charge terminals on my car. Is that possible?
Edit - don't I just need ultra long jump leads? Hook the crocodile clips from jump leads onto the crocodile clips of the charger and run them through the kidney grille to the battery charging terminals?
jump leads too thick. buy some quality cable same thickness as the lead you're extending, rated at 5amps.Edit - don't I just need ultra long jump leads? Hook the crocodile clips from jump leads onto the crocodile clips of the charger and run them through the kidney grille to the battery charging terminals?
Edited by E65Ross on Wednesday 31st December 10:56
I have always used an Airflow one on my Lotus and TVR
http://www.airflow-uk.co.uk/Battery-Conditioner.ht...
Has a reasonably long lead so just depends how close you are to the garage door/socket
http://www.airflow-uk.co.uk/Battery-Conditioner.ht...
Has a reasonably long lead so just depends how close you are to the garage door/socket
The charger I'm using, I've just found out is splash and dust proof, so I'm pretty confident tucked under the bonnet like that would be absolutely fine.... Can't imagine it getting wet, surely?
So I guess my main concern is about the white extension lead. Basically, the plug from my charger is plugged into a single extension lead where the socket is also under the bonnet...That's the white cable from under the bonnet. Do we think this would be ok left under the bonnet? Again, can't imagine it getting wet but worry about damp in the air...? What do we reckon?
Thanks guys!
So I guess my main concern is about the white extension lead. Basically, the plug from my charger is plugged into a single extension lead where the socket is also under the bonnet...That's the white cable from under the bonnet. Do we think this would be ok left under the bonnet? Again, can't imagine it getting wet but worry about damp in the air...? What do we reckon?
Thanks guys!
Just disconnect the battery.
I have a pump at work that last pumped on the 9th of July. I brought it home in November and turned it over to cover the impeller in antifreeze. It started. It's now parked up until probably late May at the earliest with the battery disconnected. She'll start. We have plenty of other machines that get parked for months at a time. The battery on the combine is over £1200 and it's not on any sort of charger.
You could even take the battery off and leave it inside the house.
I have a pump at work that last pumped on the 9th of July. I brought it home in November and turned it over to cover the impeller in antifreeze. It started. It's now parked up until probably late May at the earliest with the battery disconnected. She'll start. We have plenty of other machines that get parked for months at a time. The battery on the combine is over £1200 and it's not on any sort of charger.
You could even take the battery off and leave it inside the house.
Willy Nilly said:
Just disconnect the battery.
I have a pump at work that last pumped on the 9th of July. I brought it home in November and turned it over to cover the impeller in antifreeze. It started. It's now parked up until probably late May at the earliest with the battery disconnected. She'll start. We have plenty of other machines that get parked for months at a time. The battery on the combine is over £1200 and it's not on any sort of charger.
You could even take the battery off and leave it inside the house.
OP has someone who can drive the car. I'd connect the car to a conditioner and then have it driven every fortnight for 30mins plus with A/C on to exercise everything. I have a pump at work that last pumped on the 9th of July. I brought it home in November and turned it over to cover the impeller in antifreeze. It started. It's now parked up until probably late May at the earliest with the battery disconnected. She'll start. We have plenty of other machines that get parked for months at a time. The battery on the combine is over £1200 and it's not on any sort of charger.
You could even take the battery off and leave it inside the house.
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