Trickle charger - best practice?

[seb400]

When I used my V8S as a daily driver I suffered no battery issues other than replacement, every 4 or 5 years. For the last 12 months the car has been 'relegated' to the garage (with 2 or 3 month-old battery). I have a Gunson's battery charger which has a 'trickle charge' function.

Can anyone advise me as to whether it is best to leave the trickle charger on continuously, or just switch it on every few weeks or so to top the battery back up?

Steve

[miniman]

I would invest in a battery conditioner like an Accumate or CTEK. I plug mine in whenever the car is on the drive and it's great to be able to start it first time every time, unlike my last Chim which regularly needed help from the jump pack.

[seb400]

Thanks Miniman
my Gunson's charger does the same job (very well)... just wondered what was the best method to use.

Steve

[.Mark]

I'm the same as miniman. I think they are best left plugged in whenever the car isn't used.

I use a Halfords one and it's been excellent, use it religiously.

[miniman]

Well, if it is a proper conditioner (i.e. it intelligently switches itself on and off depending on what the battery needs) then yes, leave it plugged in all the time. I made up a cable that connects to the battery and then uses XLR sockets so I can extend it easily.

[Lead]

I switch mine on each week for about 8 hours in one go. Car does little mileage, garaged and used in dry weather. No problems in starting it in the 2 years I have owned it

[seb400]

I've been turning the float charge on every few weeks. When I put it on the dial is normally around 3-4A (whatever they might be!). Overnight it always drops to 0. I have the charger set on the 'permanent float' settings that it recommends for layed up cars, caravan and boat batteries.

I figured that it's probably okay, once charged, to turn it off for a couple of weeks. The instructions say that the float charge works like an alternator. In which case, using it this way, is no different than taking the car out for a spin to top the battery back up?

Steve

[verminator]

I have 4 toys in the garage and use an accumate all the time on all of them. Had the cerb on it continuously for 7yrs. Only do about 1k miles a year and starts and runs like a dream every time. (he says with fingers crossed).

[Gazzab]

Gunsons recommend you remove the battery from the car when using many of their chargers, so I am not sure I would use that model in the same way as accumate etc

[seb400]

Gazzab
Just rushed out to check the instructions. It says that if you are 'charging the battery in the car' make note of any recommendations specified by the manufacturer. I don't remember ever seen anything written down either way?

Steve

[Gazzab]

http://www.gunson.co.uk/items/pdf/Products/G4104_I...

[seb400]

Different set of instructions on mine, there are two rocker switches, Auto On/Auto Off and 100% Charge/Float Charge depending on useage.

Steve

[over_the_hill]

I've had an Accumate for about five years. It gets plugged into the lighter socket and switched on whenever the car is in the garage. I leave it on all the time but they are "intelligent" and switch on/off as required. Never had any problems.