Cerb trickle charger hook up

Cerb trickle charger hook up

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Discussion

LooneyTunes

Original Poster:

8,093 posts

170 months

Thursday 21st September 2023
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Bit of an unfortunate one, but went to take the Cerb out for the first time in a few weeks and have discovered that it's no longer taking charge through the cigarette lighter (which has been its standard hookup throughout my period of ownership).

Hoping it's just a case of the fuse having gone but aware that the sockets can sometimes do strange things.

In the meantime, it looks like the negative terminal of the battery is a proper bd to get at. Aside from removing the panel and, from the look of it, taking off the airbox, to go direct to the battery, does anyone have another easy hookup option for the trickle charger?

Battery was only replaced a short while ago so hoping it can be resurrected even though it's totally flat. frown

GermanCerb

86 posts

79 months

Thursday 21st September 2023
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You don't need the negative terminal of the battery - any bare metal on the engine should be usable for the negative connector. wink I'm always using the airbox holders but mine are made of stainless steel and not painted.

Cheers
Michael

LooneyTunes

Original Poster:

8,093 posts

170 months

Thursday 21st September 2023
quotequote all
Thanks, I should have probably been clearer in that I’m looking to find places I can mount a ctek quick connect connector to (or fit a magcode connector if there’s somewhere simple) rather than a crocodile clip. Like being able to hook/unhook it without needing to get under the bonnet each time.

camel_landy

5,181 posts

195 months

Thursday 21st September 2023
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I have a fly-lead on mine, for connecting up the conditioner/charger.

Check out some of the Optimate offerings for examples.

M

LooneyTunes

Original Poster:

8,093 posts

170 months

Friday 22nd September 2023
quotequote all
That’s exactly what I want to do, but with a ctek (simply because I’ve got several of them already).

The question is, other than going through the pain and removing the parts necessary to slide the battery out to get at the negative terminal, is there a convenient place to connect the leads to?

cerbera.co.uk

155 posts

106 months

Friday 22nd September 2023
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LooneyTunes said:
Thanks, I should have probably been clearer in that I’m looking to find places I can mount a ctek quick connect connector to (or fit a magcode connector if there’s somewhere simple) rather than a crocodile clip. Like being able to hook/unhook it without needing to get under the bonnet each time.
For a magcode setup, take a look here
https://www.cerbera.co.uk/finally-found-the-perfec...

TheRainMaker

6,898 posts

254 months

Friday 22nd September 2023
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I put my connector in the boot.

Positive pick up from the main feed into the fuse box, then the earth from above the fuel tank.

The connector cable popped out of the Velcro flap above the fuel tank.

Byker28i

71,830 posts

229 months

Friday 22nd September 2023
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No need to remove the airbox if you're going straight onto the battery, you just remove the battery cover panel.. Is the car garaged? If so just open the bonnet and croc clip on.
Or, don't forget the big negative earth lead goes down to the starter and the chassis earth, you could get underneath and use one of those.

It's probably just the fuse gone on the lighter socket, or you've twisted it and the wires come off?

camel_landy

5,181 posts

195 months

Friday 22nd September 2023
quotequote all
LooneyTunes said:
That’s exactly what I want to do, but with a ctek (simply because I’ve got several of them already).

The question is, other than going through the pain and removing the parts necessary to slide the battery out to get at the negative terminal, is there a convenient place to connect the leads to?
I've connected mine directly to the battery, so the fly-lead is easily accessible.

I'm guessing the connectors are available, if you wanted to convert one of your existing chargers.

HTH

M

LooneyTunes

Original Poster:

8,093 posts

170 months

Friday 22nd September 2023
quotequote all
Byker28i said:
No need to remove the airbox if you're going straight onto the battery, you just remove the battery cover panel.. Is the car garaged? If so just open the bonnet and croc clip on.
Or, don't forget the big negative earth lead goes down to the starter and the chassis earth, you could get underneath and use one of those.

It's probably just the fuse gone on the lighter socket, or you've twisted it and the wires come off?
My hope is that it's just the fuse. Removed the battery cover panel but still can't get to the negative terminal.

TheRainMaker said:
I put my connector in the boot.

Positive pick up from the main feed into the fuse box, then the earth from above the fuel tank.

The connector cable popped out of the Velcro flap above the fuel tank.
This could be just the job if it turns out to not be the fuse. I might even add a connector there anyway as the car is garaged so it's easy to leave the boot slightly open to get a lead in.

Just keen to avoid accidentally frying any of the electrics as the modules aren't always easy to replace these days.

Ri Orus2

147 posts

174 months

Friday 22nd September 2023
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I've got an accumate charger mounted on the wall. It comes with two connectors; your usual clamps and also an eyelets which fits onto your battery connector. I've done the latter and left the cable tucked just out of the hole above the battery in the engine bay. I can connect it and remove it immediately.

gruffalo

7,803 posts

238 months

Saturday 23rd September 2023
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The lighter sockets are cheap why not just replace it if faulty?

They are prone to corrosion over time so best changed every few years anyway.

ukkid35

6,331 posts

185 months

Tuesday 26th September 2023
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gruffalo said:
The lighter sockets are cheap why not just replace it if faulty?

They are prone to corrosion over time so best changed every few years anyway.
And better still use a 12v Power Socket rather than a Cig lighter socket