Trickle charger

Trickle charger

Author
Discussion

ContactName

Original Poster:

377 posts

1 month

Thursday 24th October
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New to McLaren ownership, just picked up a 12c

What’s the consensus on charging if the car is outside. Can you close the frunk lid over the charger cable or is there another way to do it if the car is not being used for a couple of weeks?

How long is it safe to leave it?

Thank you

davek_964

9,295 posts

182 months

Thursday 24th October
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It closes fine over the cable. My car lives outside - I use it enough that I don't charge it often, but it has been on charge for the last 2 weeks

cutting42

47 posts

103 months

Friday 25th October
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I put my 650s on trickle all the time. I only leave for 2 weeks between drive at the most but have heard too many stories on low charge related issues. I installed a waterproof socket out front powered from a timer as the std McLaren charger needs the power cycling regularly (mine does it once a day for an hour)

The charger cable is pretty thin and I can fully close the bonnet

Bispal

1,713 posts

158 months

Friday 25th October
quotequote all
ContactName said:
New to McLaren ownership, just picked up a 12c

What’s the consensus on charging if the car is outside. Can you close the frunk lid over the charger cable or is there another way to do it if the car is not being used for a couple of weeks?

How long is it safe to leave it?

Thank you
I left my 12C and 675LT on trickle all the time when not using. 9 years in total with no issues. Make sure you have the lithium CTEK charger NOT the supplied one, the original one is old tech and not that good.

I take the lead out at the top of the bonnet by the scuttle, so it exits at the bottom of the windscreen, there is loads of gap there. Hope you are enjoying your 12C, I did mine, they are awesome.


12pack

1,594 posts

175 months

Saturday 26th October
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ContactName said:
New to McLaren ownership, just picked up a 12c

What’s the consensus on charging if the car is outside. Can you close the frunk lid over the charger cable or is there another way to do it if the car is not being used for a couple of weeks?

How long is it safe to leave it?

Thank you
From a fully charged battery - 3 weeks, based on actual experience. But to be safe, I always leave the front cracked open on my garaged 650s. Of course if your car is outside may be safer to connect up and shut tight!

BTW my 3 weeks experience was caused by a CTEK Li-ion charger that had a fault while I was away. I’ve stuck with the Mac-sourced one ever since.

Frankychops

981 posts

16 months

Saturday 26th October
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I've done 5 weeks on my 650s(not by desire), still showed over 90%.

200Plus Club

11,178 posts

285 months

Saturday 26th October
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Also worth resetting your trickle charger once in a while to get it kicking back in.

ContactName

Original Poster:

377 posts

1 month

Saturday 26th October
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Thanks, all good advice.

I’ll link it up as suggested and use a smart switch to rebook it regularly.


Abacus21

155 posts

42 months

Sunday 27th October
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Noco Genius Lithium charger is twice as well built and intelligent in charging cycles.

Ctek is old school period.

Just_read_the _instructions

4,115 posts

260 months

Sunday 27th October
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Smart plug, charges 3 hours every 2 or 3 alternating days; always around 45 days remaining.

Frankychops

981 posts

16 months

Sunday 27th October
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Abacus21 said:
Noco Genius Lithium charger is twice as well built and intelligent in charging cycles.

Ctek is old school period.
The none branded ctek works the same as the Noco

ContactName

Original Poster:

377 posts

1 month

Tuesday 29th October
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I've found a solution to the trickle charger issue: Just drive it every day!

It's bloody brilliant, I had no idea they were such astounding cars, very impressed with the whole package! (12c coupe, carbon brakes, sports exhaust).

davek_964

9,295 posts

182 months

Tuesday 29th October
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ContactName said:
I've found a solution to the trickle charger issue: Just drive it every day!

It's bloody brilliant, I had no idea they were such astounding cars, very impressed with the whole package! (12c coupe, carbon brakes, sports exhaust).
Yep, that's my solution hence why I said I don't charge mine much. Excellent cars (even if I did briefly want to set fire to mine today!)

ContactName

Original Poster:

377 posts

1 month

Wednesday 30th October
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Just ordered some track wheels and semi-slicks.

Can’t wait for a track day to really stretch its legs!

Streetbeat

1,079 posts

83 months

Wednesday 30th October
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You really find out just how impressive they are when you get them out on track, it opens your eyes to just how much more they have to give that you can get even remotely close to on the road. clap