Outdoor Trickle Charging

[Craig-u3xj5]

Good morning all - I have just bought a DB9 and, regrettably, it is going to have to be kept outside for the foreseeable future and my question is whether it is still possible to connect a trickle charger and if so, how?

Can I connect one through the bonnet grille and use the =VE connection point to connect the trickle charger and if so, is there a recommended charger make or model that is favoured by other owners.

Any advice welcome and thanks in advance

[BiggaJ]

If your car comes with a charging port in the boot (a cigarette lighter socket) then you can run the wire out of the boot to a weather proof power socket and can sit it under your rear bumper on the floor away from the rain.

The boot can be closed and the car locked as normal.

[JonnyCJ]

Craig-u3xj5 said:

Can I connect one through the bonnet grille and use the =VE connection point to connect the trickle charger and if so, is there a recommended charger make or model that is favoured by other owners.

Read this for exactly what you need. No faffing about with leads plugging into cigarette lighter sockets and drive away protection for when you forget it's connected https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[Dewi 2]

If you might prefer not to use a mains cable, then a solar panel can keep car batteries fully charged.
I recently bought one, partly to learn how this new fangled electricity works. It turned out to be more than simply a toy and I now have it permanently installed, to power the electronics of an 8 foot high, topiary brown bear in my garden.

The solar panel charges a car battery through a controller, to cut off power when fully charged. Even works on cloudy days, which surprised me. Costs about £30. You could wire it to a magnetic connection pad if you wish.
My panel is about 10 yards away from the battery, using twin core cable (ex. electric mower).






It is cheaper kit than a CTEK, but as I already have the trickle charger, that is what I use for my AM.

Edited by Dewi 2 on Monday 22 November 14:01

[john ryan]

Yes, you can use the -ve connection under the bonnet. I do, with a C-tek plug/socket to my charger.

[Mediaeval]

Many thanks folks and will investigate further.

Kind regards

[phumy]

john ryan said:

Yes, you can use the -ve connection under the bonnet. I do, with a C-tek plug/socket to my charger.

Surely you mean the +ve (Positive-Red) connection, all of the chassis will be -ve.

[andyduncan]

I have been using a Bosch trickle charger for my M5 and Audi and a carrefour special (!) for my motorbike for a good few years now.
The Aston has the CTEK.

The M5 has been relegated to being parked just outside the garage with a specialised outdoor cover and I run the cable from inside the garage.

All Chargers are doing their job nicely...

[Craig elam1]

Get down to lidl and buy their ultimate speed trickle charger £13.99.
Ive had mine nearly 4 years, its outlasted 2 ctek including one AM branded one which both packed up after 18 months
I have them on 3 other vehicles all spot on!

[morty1961]

I have a couple of the £14 Aldi chargers and they have been spot on