23 replies to this topic

[Sol]

Hi all, I know there are some clever guys on this forum and I wondered what you thought about putting a battery charger on a weekly timer for a couple of hours to keep a stored cars battery charged. I am newly retired & so do not use my car daily any more. It now sits in my garage and doesn't move for several weeks at a time, and the battery runs flat. Stupidly I connected a battery charger, and forgot I'd put it on, and have over-charged & ruined my battery. New battery ordered. I know the correct thing to do is to buy an intelligent trickle charger (Ctech) £60-£70. But as I don't have much money I wondered if I could put my battery charger on a timer (circa £10) so that it charges the battery for a couple of hours once every few weeks. I'd welcome your thoughts?

[Harry Hornet]

...why not just start the car and leave running once a week if you dont want to take it  out...helps move stuff around as well......

 

..does the job for me and it stands outside.......

 

 

or wrap it up in blankets and keep it warm.........

 

HH

[Claws]

Don't put the alarm on and it should last for about a month.

[Exmantaa]

For long term storage in my cold garage I simply disconnect 1 battery clamp. Started (with some hesitation) even after several  weeks/months...

Edited by Exmantaa, 19 January 2015 - 09:18 PM.

[haggi961]

Trickle chargers are cheaper then £50. Lidi where selling one for £12 I think it was which is going to be safer and more reliable then a timer and battery charger.

[christhegasman]

As I understand it a normal charger can still overcharge a battery Much better to get a trickle charger even a cetek can be had for around 30 quid http://pages.ebay.co...id=121265996287 or as above get a quick release clamp for your battery and disconnect it

Edited by christhegasman, 19 January 2015 - 09:23 PM.

[myles]

Sol, I have a Ctek charger you can borrow long term if you like? My car is a daily driver so it's not really used here. If I am deployed I will need it back however, but that isn't on the cards for a while. Let me know your thoughts.

[Sol]

Thank's for your replies, it was just an idle thought & you've helped me realise it's not such a good idea. Best regards Sol.

['Buchos']

A friend bought a Lidl one at the weekend for his 944t and it looks like a nice bit of kit for the money.



Personally I've always used Optimate 4s, clever bit of kit and very rugged, even waterproof.

[VX220BOB]

I see that Lloyds are selling the one on ebay, I would not buy it from Lloyds as robbing bastards. If anyone is interested I will check tomorrow what I can sell that model for.

[VX220BOB]

I see that Lloyds are selling the one on ebay, I would not buy it from Lloyds as robbing bastards. If anyone is interested I will check tomorrow what I can sell that model for.

[jonnyboy]

1/4 turn battery isolation switch. Job done. 

[ghand]

If you battery is not fully charged for long periods you need a battery conditioner which has a monitoring processor if you want the thing to last a long time in good nick ready to use any time. When a battery is left not fully charged for long periods sulphate crystals build up on the plates. Conditioners have a pulse mode which removes the temporary sulphates a float mode, charge and trickle modes and so on all to keep the battery in good condition. A charger on a timer will work to an extent but you won't know if your over charging or under charging as it's not monitored but better than forgetting and leaving it on charge to cook or go flat and end up knackered Also a disconnected battery will still go flat slowly, depending on stored temperature, typically 5% per month if cold but in a warm place 15% or more. .

Edited by ghand, 20 January 2015 - 02:08 AM.

[Ormes]

As above... a convenient solution exists in the form of either a trickle charger or battery isolator. Removing a battery terminal is an option but you don't want to make it a pain to go on an unplanned ad-hoc drive as if you are anything like me it just won't happen!

[Zuber]

I was told leaving the car standing for a long time regularly isn't good for it for a number of reasons. So much better to start it up, warm up and drive it around a bit.

[2-20]

Don't know if it's good or not but i've a small charger (very Low amp.) connected to the cigarette lighter.

 

It's very easy to install

[Sutol]

I've tried the intermittent charging technique with time clocks and it's difficult to say if it were beneficial or not. I have a car that is sorned for 6 months, garaged and I just disconnect the battery and then periodically (every 6 weeks or so) reconnect and start the engine until it gets warm. This is more for getting the oil round the engine though than charging the battery. I usually wait for a string of warmish days to do this so I'm not cranking a really cold engine and I disconnect the coil and crank until i have some oil pressure before firing it up. This is on my old Stag. Suffice to say I always take a battery pack with me just in case   

[chappers2000]

I was told it's better to start it and drive it rather than just let it idle as oil pressure will be highe. Is this rubbish? Agree it's best to circulate things. Just curious as I just drive mine. Couldn't stand not using it for 6 months.

[VX220BOB]

As I understand it a normal charger can still overcharge a battery Much better to get a trickle charger even a cetek can be had for around 30 quid http://pages.ebay.co...id=121265996287 or as above get a quick release clamp for your battery and disconnect it

ctek xs 0.8 smart charger 56833 I can do this charger for £29.00 including postage (not Scotland or Ireland)I have no stock left and it will take about 10 days to get them.

[Smashf15c]

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item3aa04fd9bc I have several of these - they are very good!! Work well on my W211 Mercedes which is an electrics hog.... Cheers, Smash