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[STEMO]

Well....if I get five years out of a battery....then have to fork out c.£80 for a new one..that's ok with me. Beats the f**k out of farting around with chargers and stuff 
I suppose people who hang on to their cars for ten years or more will have this mindset, but as I've never held on to one for more than four years, it's someone else's problem.

I wish I was wealthy

Wealthy enough to buy a merc, I only own a frugal 1.4 astra. 

[TD]

Well....if I get five years out of a battery....then have to fork out c.£80 for a new one..that's ok with me. Beats the f**k out of farting around with chargers and stuff 
I suppose people who hang on to their cars for ten years or more will have this mindset, but as I've never held on to one for more than four years, it's someone else's problem.

I wish I was wealthy

Wealthy enough to buy a merc, I only own a frugal 1.4 astra. 

And if you'd looked after your battery....you could be running about in a merc too with the savings 

[Viral_Jim]

Its not a question of it going flat, it's a matter of keeping it in tip top condition, the wifes Astra, for example, the battery is 10 years old and still going strong because I keep it conditioned.

Ah I see, Fair enough, each to their own. 

For me, for a saving of £18-20 per year I couldn't be ar$ed with the effort. Then again, I am a member of the "throw away generation" so that's to be expected 

[Bigron]

And you are not on a non-elastic pension, Jimmy! 

Ron.

[TheBoy]

Also, TB, if you use a conditioning/maintaining charger - the Halfords "smart" charger, for example, you can potentially (no pun intended!) confuse the ECU because it pulse-charges, and they don't like it up 'em! 

Ron.

Some chargers are designed to be used whilst still connected to the car. Most smartchargers fall into this category, but check instructions.

[TheBoy]

I found my Omegas are good for about 3.5-4 weeks without usage (or charging), much beyond, and you run the risk of not being able to start.

HOWEVER. As with most battery technologies, its completely shags them to leave them in a semi discharged condition for any period.

Hence, I do use a charger when appropriate.

[Viral_Jim]

And you are not on a non-elastic pension, Jimmy! 

Ron.

Very true. I'm on the new scheme where they retire you about 4 days post-mortem 

Anyway, I thought that all you lot retired at 53 on a final salary pension scheme? It's what everyone else my age seems to believe

[Bigron]

Also, TB, if you use a conditioning/maintaining charger - the Halfords "smart" charger, for example, you can potentially (no pun intended!) confuse the ECU because it pulse-charges, and they don't like it up 'em! 

Ron.

Some chargers are designed to be used whilst still connected to the car. Most smartchargers fall into this category, but check instructions.

Yes, TB, I would expect some of the more modern ones are safe to use whilst the battery is still connected, but the Halford ones in particular specifically advise against this practice and as some Oofers may be a little impecunious (like me!) and would have earlier models, I was only doing my Oof duty and offering a caveat. 

Ron.

[Auto Addict]

Also, TB, if you use a conditioning/maintaining charger - the Halfords "smart" charger, for example, you can potentially (no pun intended!) confuse the ECU because it pulse-charges, and they don't like it up 'em! 

Ron.

Some chargers are designed to be used whilst still connected to the car. Most smartchargers fall into this category, but check instructions.

Yes, TB, I would expect some of the more modern ones are safe to use whilst the battery is still connected, but the Halford ones in particular specifically advise against this practice and as some Oofers may be a little impecunious (like me!) and would have earlier models, I was only doing my Oof duty and offering a caveat. 

Ron.

You get what you pay for.

[TheBoy]

Also, TB, if you use a conditioning/maintaining charger - the Halfords "smart" charger, for example, you can potentially (no pun intended!) confuse the ECU because it pulse-charges, and they don't like it up 'em! 

Ron.

Some chargers are designed to be used whilst still connected to the car. Most smartchargers fall into this category, but check instructions.

Yes, TB, I would expect some of the more modern ones are safe to use whilst the battery is still connected, but the Halford ones in particular specifically advise against this practice and as some Oofers may be a little impecunious (like me!) and would have earlier models, I was only doing my Oof duty and offering a caveat. 

Ron.

The Halfords SmartCharge 200 won't harm after you've used it a couple of times....  ....mainly because you've already blown the power transistors in it. A proper PoS from a reliability standpoint.  Generally cheaper to buy from Ring direct (though every bit as unreliable still).  It really is a nasty charger.

The more upmarket Ring ones, as sold at Halfords, specifically state you can charge on the vehicle. This is what I use.

[Bigron]

Thanks for that, TB. My Halfords one is quite old and is definitly contra-indicated for on-vehicle charging. It's actually in a safe place now, so I cannot easily check the model number! 

Ron.

[TheBoy]

Thanks for that, TB. My Halfords one is quite old and is definitly contra-indicated for on-vehicle charging. It's actually in a safe place now, so I cannot easily check the model number! 

Ron.

Sure its a Smart Charger, not just an Automatic Charger (that by its nature must have battery removed)?

[Bigron]

I'm only going by the label; what do I know! 

Ron.

P.S. No, I ain't sure.....or am I?

P.P.S. Yesterday I was undeciden: now I'm not so sure!

[Auto Addict]

Also, TB, if you use a conditioning/maintaining charger - the Halfords "smart" charger, for example, you can potentially (no pun intended!) confuse the ECU because it pulse-charges, and they don't like it up 'em! 

Ron.

Some chargers are designed to be used whilst still connected to the car. Most smartchargers fall into this category, but check instructions.

Yes, TB, I would expect some of the more modern ones are safe to use whilst the battery is still connected, but the Halford ones in particular specifically advise against this practice and as some Oofers may be a little impecunious (like me!) and would have earlier models, I was only doing my Oof duty and offering a caveat. 

Ron.

The Halfords SmartCharge 200 won't harm after you've used it a couple of times....  ....mainly because you've already blown the power transistors in it. A proper PoS from a reliability standpoint.  Generally cheaper to buy from Ring direct (though every bit as unreliable still).  It really is a nasty charger.

The more upmarket Ring ones, as sold at Halfords, specifically state you can charge on the vehicle. This is what I use.

I use an upmarket Ring, served me well, recovered a couple of neighbours batteries that seemed cream crackered.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Well....if I get five years out of a battery....then have to fork out c.£80 for a new one..that's ok with me. Beats the f**k out of farting around with chargers and stuff 
I suppose people who hang on to their cars for ten years or more will have this mindset, but as I've never held on to one for more than four years, it's someone else's problem.

I wish I was wealthy

STMO is as wealthy as an Arab oil sheik. The sort who drive their brand new Range Rover in the desert and leave it there once it runs out of petrol.

The Astra, presented in the most unfortunate shade of green known to man, will soon be history.