Battery Trickle Chargers

[CaptiV8ed]

Having searched through the threads about keepeing the old battery topped up during periods of inactivity, someone told of their basic charger on a timer idea (coming on for a couple of hours a day if necessary).

I've been looking for one that would charge through the cigarette lighter for convenience and found this.

www.toolsbypost.com/product.php?id=3288&category=

It continuously provides 12v at up to 800mA, although it is really designed to save clocks and ECU settings while the battery is disconnected. At present I can't see much of a difference from regular trickle chargers.
Can anybody see any reason why the above wouldn't work the same as one of these below..

www.toolsbypost.com/product.php?id=3576&category=
www.machinemart.co.uk/product.asp?p=010310012&r=2058&g=107



I don't see why not at the mo, but any opinions would be gratefully received.

Nick

[steve_d]

I would go find the best price for an Optimate 3.

They will be more expensive but I have had this recommended to me from a number of sources.
My Ultima runs a rather small gel battery (to keep the weight down) but it has to throw 6.7litre of V8 so keeping the battery in good order is essential.

You leave it on all the time you are parked up. It will analyse the state of the battery and will condition it when required.

Steve

[leorest]

I used to keep the battery topped up using a basic charger on a timer. Might have been my post you read? Worked well and the battery is still good years later so no damage was done. I now have a "conditioner" which was a present so I use that but wouldn't have bothered buying it myself. Obviously charging through the ciggy socket will only work if it's permanently live.

[CaptiV8ed]

Thanks for your replies Chaps, I now have a denitive answer. I spoke directly with gunsons and they advised me very strongly not to use the memory saver as a charger. In theory it would do the job, but as it has no saftey sensors in it whatsoever (which is fine if you use it as a memory saver) there is a fire hazard. Maybe a little dramatic, but sod it. I'll get a proper conditioner. The restrictive thing is that I really need to charge it through the cigarette lighter, as once the cars in the garage I can't open the passenger door and get to the battery.

[steve_d]

The Optimate 3 comes with croc clips and a cig lighter plug.

Steve

[MTv Dave]

Can anybody recommend one for use with an MGC with 2 6v batteries under the rear 'seats'?

It can be left on all the time, or run off a timer unit, but needs to be normal mains driven.

Cheers!

[steve_d]

Try this one from the same people as the Optimate.
Not used one but the Optimate is good.
Switchable for 6 or 12 volt
Accumate 612

Steve

[MTv Dave]

steve_d said:

Try this one from the same people as the Optimate.
Not used one but the Optimate is good.
Switchable for 6 or 12 volt
Accumate 612

Steve

Cheers!