Topic: Electrickery musings... (Read 3863 times)

Diamond Black Geezer · « **on:** 13 October 2019, 17:16:43 »

Looking at some cheapish n cheerful battery chargers - not bottom end, but don't want to spend hundreds, either. I noticed a Draper (probably their base model) suggests "only suitable for upto 45ah batteries"

now this made me stop in my tracks... I didn't realise this was 'a thing'

How can a charger possibly be underrated for a given job - surely a 1ah charger sticking juice in, for eg: 200ah battery will take a long time, days, whatever, but won't harm the battery?

Explain to me why I've got this wrong?

Rods2 · « **Reply #1 on:** 13 October 2019, 17:38:04 »

Probably because it is an electronic managed charger that can recharge gel batteries as well as normal lead-acid and the components will have maximum ratings. Aldi & Lidl normally have cheap electronic chargers on special offer at this time of year which when I bought mine (iirc for about £15.00) a few years a go was rated to charge Omega batteries with no problems.

Rods2 · « **Reply #2 on:** 13 October 2019, 17:42:16 »

There you go the Aldi one at £12.99

https://www.aldi.co.uk/car-battery-charger-2019/p/099132311147100

Diamond Black Geezer · « **Reply #3 on:** 13 October 2019, 17:52:43 »

That's fine - I have been digging and its seems a bit of an anomaly - as per the above link nigh-on all chargers seem to be fine for any car battery, just left me a bit confused, like I say.

If anyone said 'nahh that's rubbish, just charge it anyways' grand, but now I know there's plenty to be had well within spec, now I know.

Viral_Jim · « **Reply #4 on:** 13 October 2019, 20:36:01 »

Quote from: Rods2 on 13 October 2019, 17:42:16

There you go the Aldi one at £12.99

https://www.aldi.co.uk/car-battery-charger-2019/p/099132311147100

Thanks for this, I've been meaning to get one for a while, I'll pop in tomorrow and see if Northampton have any.

Rods2 · « **Reply #5 on:** 13 October 2019, 20:45:10 »

They had one left in my local ALDI today as I was browsing their latest offers, which is why I knew it was the time of year for this special offer.

aaronjb · « **Reply #6 on:** 14 October 2019, 07:35:03 »

Quote from: jimmy944 on 13 October 2019, 20:36:01

Quote from: Rods2 on 13 October 2019, 17:42:16
There you go the Aldi one at £12.99

https://www.aldi.co.uk/car-battery-charger-2019/p/099132311147100

Thanks for this, I've been meaning to get one for a while, I'll pop in tomorrow and see if Northampton have any.

Let me know if they don't - pretty sure I've got one knocking around that's surplus to requirements.

P.S. It'll take a really, really long time to charge the Golf!

STEMO · « **Reply #7 on:** 14 October 2019, 11:06:13 »

Said it before and I'll say it again: Last time I had to charge a battery was in the 1980's.

Viral_Jim · « **Reply #8 on:** 14 October 2019, 11:46:34 »

Quote from: STEMO on 14 October 2019, 11:06:13

Said it before and I'll say it again: Last time I had to charge a battery was in the 1980's.

I'm looking for one with an eye on getting the kit car back. All the fettling and taking the battery on and off and cranking but not running etc means I'll probably use it a reasonable amount. But yes, I have to agree as far as the 'normal' cars go, they aren't stood still ong enough to go flat!

Quote from: aaronjb on 14 October 2019, 07:35:03

Let me know if they don't - pretty sure I've got one knocking around that's surplus to requirements.

P.S. It'll take a really, really long time to charge the Golf!

Thanks Aaron, very kind of you - you smart@rse

Viral_Jim · « **Reply #9 on:** 14 October 2019, 13:43:19 »

Got one.

And an 1800w table saw, and a mini bench-top grinder. And a punnet of raspberries

I suspect Aldi may be added to the list of places I am not allowed to visit unsupervised..

aaronjb · « **Reply #10 on:** 14 October 2019, 13:59:46 »

I am the same ..

I saw Aldi/Lidl (I can't remember which one..) had a band saw for sale and I thought "I wonder if that could be converted into a metal saw".. must stay away

Andy B · « **Reply #11 on:** 14 October 2019, 14:04:18 »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL7jyXCQ2Zc

Viral_Jim · « **Reply #12 on:** 14 October 2019, 14:04:47 »

Oooo, that must have been Lidl, I may have to have a nose...

aaronjb · « **Reply #13 on:** 14 October 2019, 14:14:43 »

I checked - Aldi..

https://www.aldi.co.uk/ferrex-10-inch-bandsaw/p/019596291909000

https://www.aldi.co.uk/portable-bandsaw-240v/p/019344288136100

Online only I think .. and I am so tempted

Viral_Jim · « **Reply #14 on:** 14 October 2019, 14:53:20 »

Quote from: aaronjb on 14 October 2019, 13:59:46

I am the same ..

I saw Aldi/Lidl (I can't remember which one..) had a band saw for sale and I thought "I wonder if that could be converted into a metal saw".. must stay away

https://www.screwfix.com/p/starrett-duratec-sfb-bandsaw-blade-14tpi-70-x/3934k#product_additional_details_container

aaronjb · « **Reply #15 on:** 14 October 2019, 14:58:16 »

I think you really also need to slow the drive down a little - either a VFD or gear the bands down..

I love that description, though:

"Suitable for cutting carbon steel, Metalon, non-ferrous metals, Celeron, plastics, plywood, MDF and cardboard."

Cardboard?!

STEMO · « **Reply #16 on:** 14 October 2019, 15:40:51 »

Quote from: Andy B on 14 October 2019, 14:04:18

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL7jyXCQ2Zc

Nick W · « **Reply #17 on:** 14 October 2019, 15:54:39 »

Quote from: aaronjb on 14 October 2019, 13:59:46

I am the same ..

I saw Aldi/Lidl (I can't remember which one..) had a band saw for sale and I thought "I wonder if that could be converted into a metal saw".. must stay away

I've considered that, but the mods required for extra rigidity and gearing the speed down aren't worth it. The motor is a bit underpowered too.

The little bench grinder is good for sharpening lathe tools and TIG tungstens.

TheBoy · « **Reply #18 on:** 14 October 2019, 18:55:43 »

Having wasted no end of time and money on the shite like Ctek and Halfords Smart chargers (made by Ring, ironically), I now use a Ring charger that has been brilliant. My only gripe is its not waterproof (but I suspect lack of airflow was what was killing all the previous chargers).

https://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/garage-equipment/battery-chargers-jump-starters/ring-12a-smart-charger-charge-and-diagnose

Significantly cheaper elsewhere, mind. Even with trade and topcashback.

Diamond Black Geezer · « **Reply #19 on:** 15 October 2019, 01:02:54 »

I've been looking at the 'good old fashioned' dumb chargers, but the new smart chargers are a tempting proposition as above. I'm actually looking at something I can take apart and re-shell in another housing, for no other reason than as a project/bit of fun. On the lookout for a known good used one I can hack about, however decent enough ones seem to be had for the £30-40 mark, so might be as well to just buy a new one.

Rods2 · « **Reply #20 on:** 15 October 2019, 04:29:54 »

Quote from: STEMO on 14 October 2019, 11:06:13

Said it before and I'll say it again: Last time I got charged for battery was in the 1980's.

FTFY

Rods2 · « **Reply #21 on:** 15 October 2019, 04:50:08 »

Quote from: aaronjb on 14 October 2019, 14:14:43

I checked - Aldi..

https://www.aldi.co.uk/ferrex-10-inch-bandsaw/p/019596291909000

https://www.aldi.co.uk/portable-bandsaw-240v/p/019344288136100

Online only I think .. and I am so tempted

Getting a band saw is one I've been resisting for several years now even though I know I would find it useful.

When I got my air compressor at £20 off £££s later for all the air tools & impact sockets I've bought, where I just can't resist a 'tool bargain'. I've been collecting & building my tool set since I was 10 so it is a lifetime ~~excellent~~ bad habit & there are still lots of tempting tools I'm sure I really must have & I will find indispensable, even if I never use them!

Viral_Jim · « **Reply #22 on:** 15 October 2019, 10:09:13 »

Thankfully I came up with the perfect justification on the way home last night.

SWMBO wants fancy skirting boards in the house (something like this). I reckon that if I use the table saw to make these out of 18mm MDF sheet, I can declare it to be 'a saving'. And, by applying some careful man maths to the situation, it means I've freed up that same amount of money to spend on the 18v circular saw I've been wanting.

Bigron · « **Reply #23 on:** 15 October 2019, 10:29:10 »

Tell her it's on offer in a sale - no woman can resist a sale item, whether she needs it or not!

Ron.

STEMO · « **Reply #24 on:** 15 October 2019, 10:49:15 »

Quote from: jimmy944 on 15 October 2019, 10:09:13

Thankfully I came up with the perfect justification on the way home last night.

SWMBO wants fancy skirting boards in the house (something like this). I reckon that if I use the table saw to make these out of 18mm MDF sheet, I can declare it to be 'a saving'. And, by applying some careful man maths to the situation, it means I've freed up that same amount of money to spend on the 18v circular saw I've been wanting.

Hmmmm........good job she didn't pick the Albany or something like. Let's see you knock that up.

Viral_Jim · « **Reply #25 on:** 15 October 2019, 13:28:28 »

Quote from: STEMO on 15 October 2019, 10:49:15

Hmmmm........good job she didn't pick the Albany or something like. Let's see you knock that up.

Yeah, but just think of the tools I could buy with that as an excuse!

STEMO · « **Reply #26 on:** 15 October 2019, 15:57:43 »

I think you all need a multi head drill

https://www.aldi.co.uk/ferrex-18v-multi-head-drill/p/021104302710600?utm_source=Aldi&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=Header&utm_campaign=OSDEmail14102019A&sap-outbound-id=61ECD4569884B880BCE998AD2999D78F83F5CD49

TheBoy · « **Reply #27 on:** 15 October 2019, 17:28:50 »

Trouble I've personally found with Aldi/Lidl shite tools is that when they go wrong, you have little comeback. They normally give you a full refund on the faulty item, but not the accessories you've bought.

The Clarke/Machinemart shite is clearly out of the same factory, but you do get good support.

For a pack of screwdrivers, this is a non issue - not that any sane person would buy such shite from there - but for electrical/air tools this is more of an issue.

Viral_Jim · « **Reply #28 on:** 15 October 2019, 18:41:46 »

Agreed, I have found the same with Toolstation/Screwfix own brand stuff. It's why I was careful to check that the saw has standard sized blades etc. And I will keep the receipt as well as my best shouty voice for if(when) it doesn't last the 3yrs it's supposed to.

In this case, it's 2/3 the price of a no namer from Clarke or Toolstation and 1/5 of the price of a brand. If I was relying on it to make a living - I wouldn't touch it. As it is, I'm going in eyes open and we'll see what's what.

News:

Author Topic: Electrickery musings... (Read 3863 times)

aaronjb

STEMO

aaronjb

aaronjb

aaronjb

STEMO

STEMO

STEMO