Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Markjay]

I don't entirely understand why would you need a charger in the first place... unless the car is in storage for a long period of time, any need for charging suggests that there is a problem:

1. Something is drawing too much current with the ignition switched off
2. The battery is in need of replacing
3. The alternator does not charge properly due to a fault (damaged coil, faulty voltage regulator, etc)
4. The alternator does not charge properly due to auxilary belt problems (failed tensioner, slipage due to oil leak or glazing, etc)
etc, etc...

If this is the case, why not simply find and cure the source of the problem? If the battery needs replacing, for £30+ and a five minutes job, just get it done... it will be good for another 5 years or so. Why trickle charge a faulty battery?

As for storage, I found that I have no problems at all when the car is parked for up to 2-3 weeks (when on holiday etc). On my other car, I simply disconnect the battery - it's a very basic car with no alarm or radio code etc so the battery can just be connected and disconnected. In fact I even have a proper battery cut-off switch installed between the negative terminal and the car body, so no need for a spanner. You will be surprised how long can a car battery keep it's charge when it is disconnected - months is no problem.

And, in the unlikely event that the battery does go flat (e.g. when TB updated the firmware... lol), a quick jump-start and then a short blast on the motorway seem to cure the problem.

So, again, why do you guys need battery chargers in the first place?  

Shortish journeys, esp in winter....

In my experience - with a good battery, properly charging alternator, and no current-drawing faulty devices, you will not need a battery charger even with short winter journeys... I suspect that most cases where a trickle charger is needed it is actually covering-up a problem - usually an ageing battery.

[TheBoy]

I don't entirely understand why would you need a charger in the first place... unless the car is in storage for a long period of time, any need for charging suggests that there is a problem:

1. Something is drawing too much current with the ignition switched off
2. The battery is in need of replacing
3. The alternator does not charge properly due to a fault (damaged coil, faulty voltage regulator, etc)
4. The alternator does not charge properly due to auxilary belt problems (failed tensioner, slipage due to oil leak or glazing, etc)
etc, etc...

If this is the case, why not simply find and cure the source of the problem? If the battery needs replacing, for £30+ and a five minutes job, just get it done... it will be good for another 5 years or so. Why trickle charge a faulty battery?

As for storage, I found that I have no problems at all when the car is parked for up to 2-3 weeks (when on holiday etc). On my other car, I simply disconnect the battery - it's a very basic car with no alarm or radio code etc so the battery can just be connected and disconnected. In fact I even have a proper battery cut-off switch installed between the negative terminal and the car body, so no need for a spanner. You will be surprised how long can a car battery keep it's charge when it is disconnected - months is no problem.

And, in the unlikely event that the battery does go flat (e.g. when TB updated the firmware... lol), a quick jump-start and then a short blast on the motorway seem to cure the problem.

So, again, why do you guys need battery chargers in the first place?  

Shortish journeys, esp in winter....

In my experience - with a good battery, properly charging alternator, and no current-drawing faulty devices, you will not need a battery charger even with short winter journeys... I suspect that most cases where a trickle charger is needed it is actually covering-up a problem - usually an ageing battery.

The old addage that you need a 20min run to put back in a 5s start?  Couple that with HRW on, possibly seat heaters, wipers, lights etc etc...

[Markjay]

I don't entirely understand why would you need a charger in the first place... unless the car is in storage for a long period of time, any need for charging suggests that there is a problem:

1. Something is drawing too much current with the ignition switched off
2. The battery is in need of replacing
3. The alternator does not charge properly due to a fault (damaged coil, faulty voltage regulator, etc)
4. The alternator does not charge properly due to auxilary belt problems (failed tensioner, slipage due to oil leak or glazing, etc)
etc, etc...

If this is the case, why not simply find and cure the source of the problem? If the battery needs replacing, for £30+ and a five minutes job, just get it done... it will be good for another 5 years or so. Why trickle charge a faulty battery?

As for storage, I found that I have no problems at all when the car is parked for up to 2-3 weeks (when on holiday etc). On my other car, I simply disconnect the battery - it's a very basic car with no alarm or radio code etc so the battery can just be connected and disconnected. In fact I even have a proper battery cut-off switch installed between the negative terminal and the car body, so no need for a spanner. You will be surprised how long can a car battery keep it's charge when it is disconnected - months is no problem.

And, in the unlikely event that the battery does go flat (e.g. when TB updated the firmware... lol), a quick jump-start and then a short blast on the motorway seem to cure the problem.

So, again, why do you guys need battery chargers in the first place?  

Shortish journeys, esp in winter....

In my experience - with a good battery, properly charging alternator, and no current-drawing faulty devices, you will not need a battery charger even with short winter journeys... I suspect that most cases where a trickle charger is needed it is actually covering-up a problem - usually an ageing battery.

The old addage that you need a 20min run to put back in a 5s start?  Couple that with HRW on, possibly seat heaters, wipers, lights etc etc...

OK, I suppsoe that if you take into account LB's sound system (or so I heard) then yes, you could flatten the battery in one short journey...  

[TheBoy]

I don't entirely understand why would you need a charger in the first place... unless the car is in storage for a long period of time, any need for charging suggests that there is a problem:

1. Something is drawing too much current with the ignition switched off
2. The battery is in need of replacing
3. The alternator does not charge properly due to a fault (damaged coil, faulty voltage regulator, etc)
4. The alternator does not charge properly due to auxilary belt problems (failed tensioner, slipage due to oil leak or glazing, etc)
etc, etc...

If this is the case, why not simply find and cure the source of the problem? If the battery needs replacing, for £30+ and a five minutes job, just get it done... it will be good for another 5 years or so. Why trickle charge a faulty battery?

As for storage, I found that I have no problems at all when the car is parked for up to 2-3 weeks (when on holiday etc). On my other car, I simply disconnect the battery - it's a very basic car with no alarm or radio code etc so the battery can just be connected and disconnected. In fact I even have a proper battery cut-off switch installed between the negative terminal and the car body, so no need for a spanner. You will be surprised how long can a car battery keep it's charge when it is disconnected - months is no problem.

And, in the unlikely event that the battery does go flat (e.g. when TB updated the firmware... lol), a quick jump-start and then a short blast on the motorway seem to cure the problem.

So, again, why do you guys need battery chargers in the first place?  

Shortish journeys, esp in winter....

In my experience - with a good battery, properly charging alternator, and no current-drawing faulty devices, you will not need a battery charger even with short winter journeys... I suspect that most cases where a trickle charger is needed it is actually covering-up a problem - usually an ageing battery.

The old addage that you need a 20min run to put back in a 5s start?  Couple that with HRW on, possibly seat heaters, wipers, lights etc etc...

OK, I suppsoe that if you take into account LB's sound system (or so I heard) then yes, you could flatten the battery in one short journey...  

A weeks worth of short winter journeys will make a significant dent in the battery capacity...

[x25xe]

I don't entirely understand why would you need a charger in the first place... unless the car is in storage for a long period of time, any need for charging suggests that there is a problem:

1. Something is drawing too much current with the ignition switched off
2. The battery is in need of replacing
3. The alternator does not charge properly due to a fault (damaged coil, faulty voltage regulator, etc)
4. The alternator does not charge properly due to auxilary belt problems (failed tensioner, slipage due to oil leak or glazing, etc)
etc, etc...

If this is the case, why not simply find and cure the source of the problem? If the battery needs replacing, for £30+ and a five minutes job, just get it done... it will be good for another 5 years or so. Why trickle charge a faulty battery?

As for storage, I found that I have no problems at all when the car is parked for up to 2-3 weeks (when on holiday etc). On my other car, I simply disconnect the battery - it's a very basic car with no alarm or radio code etc so the battery can just be connected and disconnected. In fact I even have a proper battery cut-off switch installed between the negative terminal and the car body, so no need for a spanner. You will be surprised how long can a car battery keep it's charge when it is disconnected - months is no problem.

And, in the unlikely event that the battery does go flat (e.g. when TB updated the firmware... lol), a quick jump-start and then a short blast on the motorway seem to cure the problem.

So, again, why do you guys need battery chargers in the first place?  

Fully agree with your list of why the battery is going flat.  However, I am looking for a charger as the car is left standing for anything up to 2 months.  With the alarm and immobiliser on all the time, the battery is somewhat drained.  I was hoping to be able to connect a trickle charger to avoid this.  According to the web site of the manufacturer, this is safe to do, but there are doubts in the back of my mind to be honest.

http://www.ctek.com/EN/MXS3600/features_benefits.asp

Apparently, there is virtually zero ripple and the output is finely controlled.  It is based on a switch mode PSU rather than a transformer and bridge rectifier etc.

[Markjay]

Fully agree with your list of why the battery is going flat.  However, I am looking for a charger as the car is left standing for anything up to 2 months.  With the alarm and immobiliser on all the time, the battery is somewhat drained.  I was hoping to be able to connect a trickle charger to avoid this.  According to the web site of the manufacturer, this is safe to do, but there are doubts in the back of my mind to be honest.

http://www.ctek.com/EN/MXS3600/features_benefits.asp

Apparently, there is virtually zero ripple and the output is finely controlled.  It is based on a switch mode PSU rather than a transformer and bridge rectifier etc.

This is what I have on the wife's MPV:



http://www.demontweeks.co.uk/products/ProductDetail.asp?cls=MSPORT&pcode=LMA789C

Admitadly, it will also cut-off any alarm you have (the MPV has none), you will need to re-code the radio (the MPV does not have a code on the radio), and the engine and gear ECU will forget everything (the MPV does not learn anything in the first place). So maybe not such a bright idea to use on the 'meega  

 

[TheBoy]

The PSU type won't make huge amounts of difference, though admittedly the smps will be at much higher frequency so arguably easier to smooth.  But a well designed linear psu will be every bit as good (though probably heavier!)

[Taxi_Driver]

I only have a battery charger for just in case.....i have taxi kit fitted and it does drain the battery a bit....sometimes i forget to switch it off in the evening so its on all night...its powering a colour lcd screen....and a tx that i think transmits at about 4w.....and is always tx'ing......ok not much power but if the battery was low....and i do about 20-30 starts a day also hammering the battery.....sometimes turn off during these gloomy days and forget to turn off headlights....plus i use the auto button quite a bit at the mo when turned off.....also draining the battery.....so as i said MJ its only for just in case....as i dont like jump starting if a flat battery.....once fubared a veccy ecu by doing that!

[Auto Addict]

I don't entirely understand why would you need a charger in the first place... unless the car is in storage for a long period of time, any need for charging suggests that there is a problem:

1. Something is drawing too much current with the ignition switched off
2. The battery is in need of replacing
3. The alternator does not charge properly due to a fault (damaged coil, faulty voltage regulator, etc)
4. The alternator does not charge properly due to auxilary belt problems (failed tensioner, slipage due to oil leak or glazing, etc)
etc, etc...

If this is the case, why not simply find and cure the source of the problem? If the battery needs replacing, for £30+ and a five minutes job, just get it done... it will be good for another 5 years or so. Why trickle charge a faulty battery?

As for storage, I found that I have no problems at all when the car is parked for up to 2-3 weeks (when on holiday etc). On my other car, I simply disconnect the battery - it's a very basic car with no alarm or radio code etc so the battery can just be connected and disconnected. In fact I even have a proper battery cut-off switch installed between the negative terminal and the car body, so no need for a spanner. You will be surprised how long can a car battery keep it's charge when it is disconnected - months is no problem.

And, in the unlikely event that the battery does go flat (e.g. when TB updated the firmware... lol), a quick jump-start and then a short blast on the motorway seem to cure the problem.

So, again, why do you guys need battery chargers in the first place?  

I seem to remember a certain somebody (who shall be nameless, of course) sat with his headlights on when he was speaking on his mobile.....and ended up with a flat battery....

[Taxi_Driver]

I don't entirely understand why would you need a charger in the first place... unless the car is in storage for a long period of time, any need for charging suggests that there is a problem:

1. Something is drawing too much current with the ignition switched off
2. The battery is in need of replacing
3. The alternator does not charge properly due to a fault (damaged coil, faulty voltage regulator, etc)
4. The alternator does not charge properly due to auxilary belt problems (failed tensioner, slipage due to oil leak or glazing, etc)
etc, etc...

If this is the case, why not simply find and cure the source of the problem? If the battery needs replacing, for £30+ and a five minutes job, just get it done... it will be good for another 5 years or so. Why trickle charge a faulty battery?

As for storage, I found that I have no problems at all when the car is parked for up to 2-3 weeks (when on holiday etc). On my other car, I simply disconnect the battery - it's a very basic car with no alarm or radio code etc so the battery can just be connected and disconnected. In fact I even have a proper battery cut-off switch installed between the negative terminal and the car body, so no need for a spanner. You will be surprised how long can a car battery keep it's charge when it is disconnected - months is no problem.

And, in the unlikely event that the battery does go flat (e.g. when TB updated the firmware... lol), a quick jump-start and then a short blast on the motorway seem to cure the problem.

So, again, why do you guys need battery chargers in the first place?  

I seem to remember a certain somebody (who shall be nameless, of course) sat with his headlights on when he was speaking on his mobile.....and ended up with a flat battery....

Now you mention that AA......so do I  

[Markjay]

I don't entirely understand why would you need a charger in the first place... unless the car is in storage for a long period of time, any need for charging suggests that there is a problem:

1. Something is drawing too much current with the ignition switched off
2. The battery is in need of replacing
3. The alternator does not charge properly due to a fault (damaged coil, faulty voltage regulator, etc)
4. The alternator does not charge properly due to auxilary belt problems (failed tensioner, slipage due to oil leak or glazing, etc)
etc, etc...

If this is the case, why not simply find and cure the source of the problem? If the battery needs replacing, for £30+ and a five minutes job, just get it done... it will be good for another 5 years or so. Why trickle charge a faulty battery?

As for storage, I found that I have no problems at all when the car is parked for up to 2-3 weeks (when on holiday etc). On my other car, I simply disconnect the battery - it's a very basic car with no alarm or radio code etc so the battery can just be connected and disconnected. In fact I even have a proper battery cut-off switch installed between the negative terminal and the car body, so no need for a spanner. You will be surprised how long can a car battery keep it's charge when it is disconnected - months is no problem.

And, in the unlikely event that the battery does go flat (e.g. when TB updated the firmware... lol), a quick jump-start and then a short blast on the motorway seem to cure the problem.

So, again, why do you guys need battery chargers in the first place?  

I seem to remember a certain somebody (who shall be nameless, of course) sat with his headlights on when he was speaking on his mobile.....and ended up with a flat battery....

Now you mention that AA......so do I  

 

[Del Boy]

must be honest, I don't like the idea of charging the battery while it's still on the car....

Am agreeing here

[Markjay]

I don't entirely understand why would you need a charger in the first place... unless the car is in storage for a long period of time, any need for charging suggests that there is a problem:

1. Something is drawing too much current with the ignition switched off
2. The battery is in need of replacing
3. The alternator does not charge properly due to a fault (damaged coil, faulty voltage regulator, etc)
4. The alternator does not charge properly due to auxilary belt problems (failed tensioner, slipage due to oil leak or glazing, etc)
etc, etc...

If this is the case, why not simply find and cure the source of the problem? If the battery needs replacing, for £30+ and a five minutes job, just get it done... it will be good for another 5 years or so. Why trickle charge a faulty battery?

As for storage, I found that I have no problems at all when the car is parked for up to 2-3 weeks (when on holiday etc). On my other car, I simply disconnect the battery - it's a very basic car with no alarm or radio code etc so the battery can just be connected and disconnected. In fact I even have a proper battery cut-off switch installed between the negative terminal and the car body, so no need for a spanner. You will be surprised how long can a car battery keep it's charge when it is disconnected - months is no problem.

And, in the unlikely event that the battery does go flat (e.g. when TB updated the firmware... lol), a quick jump-start and then a short blast on the motorway seem to cure the problem.

So, again, why do you guys need battery chargers in the first place?  

I seem to remember a certain somebody (who shall be nameless, of course) sat with his headlights on when he was speaking on his mobile.....and ended up with a flat battery....

Now you mention that AA......so do I  

 

AA and TD, I’ll have you know that

1. This was an isolated incident

2. It happened next to my office, so even if I had a battery charger (at home) it would not have helped

3. I called Green Flag, but managed to get the car going before they arrived

4. Even if it did happen at home, I wouldn’t have been able to use a battery charger because I park in the street and don’t have a garage!  

So there….

[Auto Addict]

I don't entirely understand why would you need a charger in the first place... unless the car is in storage for a long period of time, any need for charging suggests that there is a problem:

1. Something is drawing too much current with the ignition switched off
2. The battery is in need of replacing
3. The alternator does not charge properly due to a fault (damaged coil, faulty voltage regulator, etc)
4. The alternator does not charge properly due to auxilary belt problems (failed tensioner, slipage due to oil leak or glazing, etc)
etc, etc...

If this is the case, why not simply find and cure the source of the problem? If the battery needs replacing, for £30+ and a five minutes job, just get it done... it will be good for another 5 years or so. Why trickle charge a faulty battery?

As for storage, I found that I have no problems at all when the car is parked for up to 2-3 weeks (when on holiday etc). On my other car, I simply disconnect the battery - it's a very basic car with no alarm or radio code etc so the battery can just be connected and disconnected. In fact I even have a proper battery cut-off switch installed between the negative terminal and the car body, so no need for a spanner. You will be surprised how long can a car battery keep it's charge when it is disconnected - months is no problem.

And, in the unlikely event that the battery does go flat (e.g. when TB updated the firmware... lol), a quick jump-start and then a short blast on the motorway seem to cure the problem.

So, again, why do you guys need battery chargers in the first place?  

I seem to remember a certain somebody (who shall be nameless, of course) sat with his headlights on when he was speaking on his mobile.....and ended up with a flat battery....

Now you mention that AA......so do I  

 

AA and TD, I’ll have you know that

1. This was an isolated incident

2. It happened next to my office, so even if I had a battery charger (at home) it would not have helped

3. I called Green Flag, but managed to get the car going before they arrived

4. Even if it did happen at home, I wouldn’t have been able to use a battery charger because I park in the street and don’t have a garage!  

So there….

Excuses, excuses, excuses....

[Taxi_Driver]

I don't entirely understand why would you need a charger in the first place... unless the car is in storage for a long period of time, any need for charging suggests that there is a problem:

1. Something is drawing too much current with the ignition switched off
2. The battery is in need of replacing
3. The alternator does not charge properly due to a fault (damaged coil, faulty voltage regulator, etc)
4. The alternator does not charge properly due to auxilary belt problems (failed tensioner, slipage due to oil leak or glazing, etc)
etc, etc...

If this is the case, why not simply find and cure the source of the problem? If the battery needs replacing, for £30+ and a five minutes job, just get it done... it will be good for another 5 years or so. Why trickle charge a faulty battery?

As for storage, I found that I have no problems at all when the car is parked for up to 2-3 weeks (when on holiday etc). On my other car, I simply disconnect the battery - it's a very basic car with no alarm or radio code etc so the battery can just be connected and disconnected. In fact I even have a proper battery cut-off switch installed between the negative terminal and the car body, so no need for a spanner. You will be surprised how long can a car battery keep it's charge when it is disconnected - months is no problem.

And, in the unlikely event that the battery does go flat (e.g. when TB updated the firmware... lol), a quick jump-start and then a short blast on the motorway seem to cure the problem.

So, again, why do you guys need battery chargers in the first place?  

I seem to remember a certain somebody (who shall be nameless, of course) sat with his headlights on when he was speaking on his mobile.....and ended up with a flat battery....

Now you mention that AA......so do I  

 

AA and TD, I’ll have you know that

1. This was an isolated incident

2. It happened next to my office, so even if I had a battery charger (at home) it would not have helped

3. I called Green Flag, but managed to get the car going before they arrived

4. Even if it did happen at home, I wouldn’t have been able to use a battery charger because I park in the street and don’t have a garage!  

So there….

Excuses, excuses, excuses....

Im sure tho MJ, if you did have one you would carry it in the boot with everything else.....and im sure you have the correct tools to remove the battery and carry it inside to charge