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[Shackeng]

Given that technology moves on apace, what is the latest recommendation for a charger for our Omega batteries. Kevin recommended the Optimate a few years ago. Is this still the one to get?

[Kevin Wood]

Optimate or C-Tech chargers are good for maintenance where you can leave them connected to a car for long periods and they will automatically top up the battery. Most of them have a low charge rate, so they aren't that great for starting a car in an emergency although some of the top of the range models will now do more rapid charging.

If the latter is what you want, as it'll only get irregular use, a "dumb" old-fashioned type of manual charger would be just fine, though. Get one that can deliver 6-10 amps or more and it'll get you started in half an hour or so.

For more regular use at higher charge rates, I know Ring have a range of "smart" chargers with outputs up to 16 Amps or so that come recommended.

[TheBoy]

I was ultimately disappointed with my old C-Tek, as tunnie will know from the frequent attempts having to jump the bike, despite being on the C-Tek all the time. After I melted it in the fire, I was never going to replace it with another C-Tek.

I currently use a Halfords Smart 200, which seems to work OK, but I am on my 2nd, as first failed after a few months (I might have left it out in the rain ).

[Shackeng]

Optimate or C-Tech chargers are good for maintenance where you can leave them connected to a car for long periods and they will automatically top up the battery. Most of them have a low charge rate, so they aren't that great for starting a car in an emergency although some of the top of the range models will now do more rapid charging.

If the latter is what you want, as it'll only get irregular use, a "dumb" old-fashioned type of manual charger would be just fine, though. Get one that can deliver 6-10 amps or more and it'll get you started in half an hour or so.

For more regular use at higher charge rates, I know Ring have a range of "smart" chargers with outputs up to 16 Amps or so that come recommended.

Mainly required to charge the second car overnight when it hasn't been used for a few weeks, as now. I have one of these heavy duty battery starter packs which came in useful recently for a friends Lexus 300. Typically, I don't think I've ever used it on mine in anger, but it is useful as a standby. It sounds as though the Optimate or C-Tech will be ideal.
Thanks Kevin.

[Andy B]

Keep a look out at Aldi or Lidl. Every now & then, they sell their own version of a CTek 3600 ... the last time I got one, it was £14 IIRC. For that price it's obviously not as clever as a branded inteligent charger, but I have one permanently wired to my caravan's battery. Just switch it on, select car & forget about it. 

[tunnie]

I have one of these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0012U5BO2?keywords=trickle%20charger&qid=1443034897&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

Cheap and cheerful. Last winter used this on the GS, about 3 months left on it, maybe 4. Started on button in the spring. Also charged weak Omega batteries overnight too, works well for my needs.

[tigers_gonads]

Might be a bit big for you but I picked up one of these for just over 50 quid with the trade card.

Great bit of kit but if you have a bad back, forget it because its piggin heavy 

[Bigron]

There's a caveat if you use a so-called intelligent charger with a supervisory chip controlling it if you plan to couple it to your battery whilst the battery is still connected to the car. This type of charger uses a pulse charge - I believe to measure the battery's terminal voltage in the "off" pulse time to determine its state of charge - and as such is unacceptable to an ECU. I use a 10 Amp Halfords version if I want a full charge, but always disconnect the battery from the car whilst doing so.
I have also used a stabilised 13.8 volt power supply in the past, when I had a dodgy battery; this voltage will never over-charge the battery, but nor will it get it to absolute full charge - but it can be left on forever!

Ron.

[GastronomicKleptomaniac]

Might be a bit big for you but I picked up one of these for just over 50 quid with the trade card.

Great bit of kit but if you have a bad back, forget it because its piggin heavy 

Doesn't the invisibility cloak make it a tad hazardous in a workshop environment?

[tigers_gonads]

Might be a bit big for you but I picked up one of these for just over 50 quid with the trade card.

Great bit of kit but if you have a bad back, forget it because its piggin heavy 

Doesn't the invisibility cloak make it a tad hazardous in a workshop environment?

Stop picking on me, i'm having a bad day 

One without the optional cloaking device 

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/bulbs-blades-batteries/car-battery-chargers/ring-rcb320-battery-charger

[Shackeng]

Too much choice now! I do want one that I can connect without disconnecting the battery.

[omega2018]

 trickle charger will be the kindest to the battery if you don't need to charge in a hurry

[VXL V6]

Have a C-Tek MultiXS 4003 here which works well. Both cars have the connector cables permanently wired in so I can just plug the charger straight in.

Also have a couple of older style chargers that get very little use now we don't have a caravan!

[Marks DTM Calib]

Keep a look out at Aldi or Lidl. Every now & then, they sell their own version of a CTek 3600 ... the last time I got one, it was £14 IIRC. For that price it's obviously not as clever as a branded inteligent charger, but I have one permanently wired to my caravan's battery. Just switch it on, select car & forget about it. 

They appear to use the same battery charger management chip so would get my vote to 

[aaronjb]

Have both a Ctek (MX5.3 I think) and an Aldi special here - both work equally well keeping the battery in the poor neglected RX8 topped up (from almost flat, the first time) and it starts on the button every time I come to it.