Disconnecting battery conditioner

[zasker]

I am currently using a CTEK XS3600 to keep the battery on my car fully charged. Can't find anything in the handbook to tell me if I need to disconnect it if I want to run the car up in the garage. Does anyone know? Secondly will running the car at idle to warm it up damage anything particularly the Cat?

[doggydave]

I would disconnect it and wait a couple of minutes before you start the engine. My trickle charger instructions say the car should be left for 5 minutes after it is disconnected before it is started.
I don't think it is particularly good for engines to be started and warmed up in the garage and not driven. I suppose it depends how long it has been left.

[mrdemon]

you can start it up with it on no problem

[mike_knott]

Dunno about the disconnecting, but I believe that modern cars should not be left to idle when warming up as it increases the length of time it takes for the catalyst to reach optimum working temp. This is supposed to be capable of damaging the cat, although how noticeable this would be I do not know.

If it has been there that long it might be worth giving it a run around as it will also free off the brakes and change the part of the tyres that the car is resing on. Just wait for a huge downpour to wash all the salt off the roads!

Mike...

[zasker]

Cheers for the replies, waiting for the downpour to get rid of the snow first!