Boot trickle charger

[Voltaire53]

I've had an Optimate trickle charger fitted in the boot and am about to go away for a few weeks (honeymoon ) so will be using it for the first time.

Just wondering whether others with this set up leave to boot open for the wire (and can the car be alarmed when in this condition) or whether you just run the wire over the rubber seal and close up the boot ... would this degrade the seal?

Thanks in advance,

[mojorider]

I usualy leave my boot down but not closed. You can arm the car with the boot open and since mine sits in a garage i am not too concerend.

I used to leave mine on all the time but was told and found out the hard way that excessive use will dry out the battery.

[david010167]

On my Griff, the boot closes fine with the cable plugged into the wall. My suggestion is to try closing the boot with the cable out, you may find it works fine as the rubber seal shapes itself around the cable.

David

[MikeyT]

yeah, just leave it hanging out of the boot and close the boot gently.

I leave the boot undone though, but 'down'.

In locked garage as well so doesn't have to alarmed.

[Voltaire53]

david010167 said:

On my Griff, the boot closes fine with the cable plugged into the wall. My suggestion is to try closing the boot with the cable out, you may find it works fine as the rubber seal shapes itself around the cable.

Thanks - I'm not worried about it being able to close safely and expect the rubber to 'bounce back' if this is a short time but if it's 2-3 weeks I'm concerned it may be a more permanent 'dent'.

So in response to another comment above if i'm away for that long is it safe to leave it on or should I risk it and hope I can recharge it using this method on my return?

[K4TRV]

If its an Optimate, totally safe to leave on indefinitately - should say so in the blurb that came with Optimate - They don't "dry-out" batteries, they keept them below gassing voltage but still above Sulphation and hence fully charged.

Trev McM

[Voltaire53]

K4TRV said:

If its an Optimate, totally safe to leave on indefinitately - should say so in the blurb that came with Optimate

Many thanks ... much happier now

I'm sure it does say so in the blurb but I'm a bloke so haven't read the instructions

[jigs]

IF IT'S YOUR HONEYMOON AND YOU'RE USING IT FOR THE FIRST TIME - GOOD LUCK.

PS I wouldn't worry too much about getting your wire stuck in the rubber - use a little lubrication!

>> Edited by jigs on Friday 22 August 19:17

[simpo two]

Move the unit to the garage wall, get a cig lighter jobbie and run it through the window.

[Bob the Planner]

If you leave the boot open remember to disconnect the light as it may draw more current than can be supplied.

Bob

[ScoobySnack]

Right.....

Have an optimate
Leave boot slighty open
Keeps battery perfect
Leave it switched on...

But now I'm ferreting around my boot to find a bl**dy light.. I don't have one in the boot...... Must be these Griffith's


J

>> Edited by ScoobySnack on Saturday 23 August 09:31

[Bob the Planner]

Got one on a '94 Chimeara - works very well too. About the only lighting on the car that does. As you say may be different in a Griff (or maybe my chim is non standard)

Bob

[simpo two]

ScoobySnack said:

But now I'm ferreting around my boot to find a bl**dy light.. I don't have one in the boot...... Must be these Griffith's

In Griffs the two bulbs that illuminate the number plate from behind also shine into the boot's interior.

ScoobySnack - !wrong forum alert! - what are we doing here anyway?

[jigs]

Simpo nth - finding out how the visually-challenged TVR owners behave on their forum.

[ScoobySnack]

[the dodger]

Bob the Planner said:

Got one on a '94 Chimeara - works very well too. About the only lighting on the car that does. As you say may be different in a Griff (or maybe my chim is non standard) Bob

Bob - where's the switch for the boot light? I don't got one on my 94 Chim

[k4trv]

the dodger said:

Bob the Planner said: Got one on a '94 Chimeara - works very well too. About the only lighting on the car that does. As you say may be different in a Griff (or maybe my chim is non standard) Bob Bob - where's the switch for the boot light? I don't got one on my 94 Chim

Boot light is not standard - try www.mod-wise.com/

Trev McM

[simpo two]

Ho-hum, well if you need a boot-light fitted as standard you know what to get...

I'm outta here

[the dodger]

simpo two said:

Ho-hum, well if you need a boot-light fitted as standard you know what to get... I'm outta here

..a hole cut behind the number plate?

[bob the planner]

the dodger said:

... Bob - where's the switch for the boot light? I don't got one on my 94 Chim

its wired to a big plunger type switch at the front right of the boot. Pressed down by the lid as it closes. There appear to be 2 sets of wires to the switch - no idea what the other set do !

Bob