Trickle charger
Discussion
Someone metioned, a while ago but I can't find the message now, that there was a good trickle charger on the market that charges through the cigarette lighter.
Can someone tell me the make of one of these and where I can get one?
While I'm here, the bunch of wires above the battery on a Griff has a white plug there with a black wire link. What is this for and what two wires should be linked as one end of my link has come off?
Can someone tell me the make of one of these and where I can get one?
While I'm here, the bunch of wires above the battery on a Griff has a white plug there with a black wire link. What is this for and what two wires should be linked as one end of my link has come off?
I have a couple of Airflow conditioners. This is one of several places that supply them:
www.calamander.co.uk/batteryconditioners/airflow.htm
There are two sorts- those that connect to the battery ternminals and those that plug into the cigar lighter. I use the latter.
If the battery is knackered, all they do is delay replacement. If the electrics are complex it may be worth considering replacing the battery every year or two as a precaution.
www.calamander.co.uk/batteryconditioners/airflow.htm
There are two sorts- those that connect to the battery ternminals and those that plug into the cigar lighter. I use the latter.
If the battery is knackered, all they do is delay replacement. If the electrics are complex it may be worth considering replacing the battery every year or two as a precaution.
quote:
I have a couple of Airflow conditioners. This is one of several places that supply them:
www.calamander.co.uk/batteryconditioners/airflow.htm
There are two sorts- those that connect to the battery ternminals and those that plug into the cigar lighter. I use the latter.
If the battery is knackered, all they do is delay replacement. If the electrics are complex it may be worth considering replacing the battery every year or two as a precaution.
A few things I can add here.
I've been using one of these Airflow conditioners in the link given for several years. I paid £55, so either they have come down in price, or else the price here of £39.95 is good.
There is (or maybe was) another connection option suitable for TVRs where the battery is behind the passenger footwell. This has a lead which connects to the battery at one end, and has a small proprietary socket on the other end. This lead can easily be hard-wired to the battery, with the socket concealed in the passenger footwell. The lead from the charger itself has a corresponding plug that goes into this socket, which can be done in seconds. It's worth bearing in mind that not all cars have a 'live' cigar lighter when the ignition is off, so the cigar lighter option is not necessarily futureproof.
For cars that only get weekend use I would certainly recommend this particular device, as I got over 5 years out of the last battery in a TVR using mine. The conditioner was connected for several months at a time every winter, and the battery was always 100% until it suddenly quit earlier this year.
These chargers are relatively expensive but they are a lot cheaper than a new battery. They constantly monitor the battery condition and do some kind of intelligent cycling of charge. I doubt that the cheapo devices in Halfords do anything like this.
'There is (or maybe was) another connection option suitable for TVRs where the battery is behind the passenger footwell. This has a lead which connects to the battery at one end, and has a small proprietary socket on the other end.'
I suppose any two-pin plug/socket combo would do - it's taking less than an amp. But I wouldn't bother with a special connection - if you get a car one day that doesn't charge through the lighter socket, just buy a replacement lighter unit and use the socket half to complete your new connection!
I suppose any two-pin plug/socket combo would do - it's taking less than an amp. But I wouldn't bother with a special connection - if you get a car one day that doesn't charge through the lighter socket, just buy a replacement lighter unit and use the socket half to complete your new connection!
Has anyone used Race Technology's Battery Charger
It doesn't have a cigar lighter fitting but I'm sure one could be fitted if necessary. £25 + VAT + P&P.
MC
It doesn't have a cigar lighter fitting but I'm sure one could be fitted if necessary. £25 + VAT + P&P.
MC
quote:
Saw a conditioner in Halfords the other day for £15 ish, a good buy or a waste of valuable ££ ??????
Anyone bought one?
Yes I have one, if it is the one made by draper. It seems to be ok, and managed to save my battery when an ordinary charger would do nothing. Go to:
www.drapertools.com
and search for BATTERY MASTER
>> Edited by anjago on Tuesday 3rd September 02:21
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