Trickle chargers

[brappage]

Hi guys just looking for some reviews on trickle chargers. Looking for one that plugs into the fag lighter. The optimate looks good, anyone any experience of these? Cheers

[Gadgeroonie]

there are a few on the market

you want a battery conditioner - ie it turns off when you are fully charged and on when you need charge

[AMG Merc]

I recently purchased my second CTEK battery charger/conditioner (model: XS0.8). This can be left on permanently, has a small footprint and comes with two nifty connectors (spade rings for permanent coonnection to the battery terminals, and croc clips for quick release).

£35 delivered from eBay sellers or £37.40 delivered from CTEK:
http://www.ctekchargers.co.uk/ctek-xs08.php

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

Just remember that on a lot of cars the fuse on the lighter circuit isn't very big. Easy to blow if the battery is even slightly low.

[Ramble]

AMG Merc said:

I recently purchased my second CTEK battery charger/conditioner (model: XS0.8). This can be left on permanently, has a small footprint and comes with two nifty connectors (spade rings for permanent coonnection to the battery terminals, and croc clips for quick release).

£35 delivered from eBay sellers or £37.40 delivered from CTEK:
http://www.ctekchargers.co.uk/ctek-xs08.php

I recommend it. I use a CTEK with it permenantly connected to the battery & two connectors sticking out in the passenger footwell. Once in my garage I connect the CTEK to the connectors in the footwell, plug it in, and can forget about it. Car has started first time, every time over the last 5+ years no matter how long I have left it.

[Gadgeroonie]

i have this one

http://www.airflow-uk.co.uk/Battery-Conditioner.ht...

i clip it directly to the battery, which can be a pain to fit

but it also comes with a connector you can fit to the battery and from then on its a simple plug in and out

i do not recommned the type that plugs into the cigarette adaptor, if it comes loose you have no charging

[AMG Merc]

Gadgeroonie said:

i do not recommned the type that plugs into the cigarette adaptor, if it comes loose you have no charging

Also you'll need to keep the window open a little to allow for the cable which could lead to dampness inside the car over time.

[joust]

AMG Merc said:

Also you'll need to keep the window open a little to allow for the cable which could lead to dampness inside the car over time.

Han, just run the mains cable side out of the front bottom corner of the passenger or drivers door.

Dead easy, doesn't get squished.

I've three of this one

http://www.optimate.co.uk/optimate%204%20dual.htm

[AMG Merc]

joust said:

an, just run the mains cable side out of the front bottom corner of the passenger or drivers door.

Dead easy, doesn't get squished.

I've three of this one

http://www.optimate.co.uk/optimate%204%20dual.htm

As you like Justin but I would always avoid deforming a rubber door seal with a cable myself. Nobles are non-airtight enough without crushing a cable against a door seal.

[brappage]

Thanks for the replies guys I'm happy enough to wire in a point from the battery to plug into. Do you guys then leave the alarm unarmed to have the back clam up in the garage? I'd like to avoid this as its tight for space as it is. The one linked to rob appears to be for motorbike size batteries also, as do the accessories?

Thanks

[951]

You can just run the cable out through the air intake gap behind the side window.

That's how I connect my C-Tek and the clam can be shut.

[AMG Merc]

brappage said:

Thanks for the replies guys I'm happy enough to wire in a point from the battery to plug into. Do you guys then leave the alarm unarmed to have the back clam up in the garage? I'd like to avoid this as its tight for space as it is. The one linked to rob appears to be for motorbike size batteries also, as do the accessories?

Thanks

It mentions in the spec after motorbikes, etc, cars too - it is definately designed for medium/long-term car use. No need to open the clam - as said above the gap beween the rear window and the side is huge.

If you really want a neat job see mine, it has a Euro din socket hidden above the number plate. This is permanently fuse-protected wired to the battery for a fast and easy connection. Depends how you feel about drilling holes in your Nob though

[JAZ 34]

Gadgeroonie said:

i have this one

http://www.airflow-uk.co.uk/Battery-Conditioner.ht...

i clip it directly to the battery, which can be a pain to fit

but it also comes with a connector you can fit to the battery and from then on its a simple plug in and out

i do not recommned the type that plugs into the cigarette adaptor, if it comes loose you have no charging

I have one also. Got it fitted when I bought the car from new. Never let me down yet!

[joust]

AMG Merc said:

As you like Justin but I would always avoid deforming a rubber door seal with a cable myself. Nobles are non-airtight enough without crushing a cable against a door seal.

The seals down there don't generally deform....

[SMGB]

I've got an ancient Oximiser and a Lidl cheapie. both work fine, I keep the MGB on one with the bonnet up and I made up a low voltage extension arrangemnet for the TF which lives under a cover. It lets me shut the bonnet and arm the alarm with the car under a cover and the charger and mains all safe inside the garage.. I put an in line fuse very close to the battery clip so if the wire shorts its safe.

[Lucozade]

joust said:

he seals down there don't generally deform....

Agreed. My trickle charger has been like this for 2 years now and never had a problem.

[brappage]

Owell typical went out today and battery's flat! So think I will order one of these up. Will be getting the wee attachment as to save leaning down into the battery each time. Don't think I have the balls to drill the clam Rob. Do you have any pictures of what yours looks like, would be handy!

[F.C.]

Ctek for me.
I've had a number of Accumates/Optimates and they have all failed after a while.