11 replies to this topic

[L400RAS]

Looking for something like this
http://www.halfords....yId_255205#tab1

but seems a little expensive to me. Does anyone have any suggestions to model and where to purchase?

thanks
Ryan.

[Nicks217]

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item27cdec85da
A little more expensive but a good little charger i use it on my mini. (only 3.8A main charge or 0.8A)

[L400RAS]

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item27cdec85da
A little more expensive but a good little charger i use it on my mini. (only 3.8A main charge or 0.8A)

Hi Nick,
thanks for the reply / reccomendation; i'm a little worried about the statement "Can rescue drained batteries over 7.5v" - as my battery is currently at 5v... but i guess this is the same with all tricle chargers - needs around 9v to start with then maintains and tops up.

R

[js183379]

Should still work......trickle chargers are fantastic. For what its worth, we have not had a problem with the Halfords one we bought......

[Tamworthbay]

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item27cdec85da
A little more expensive but a good little charger i use it on my mini. (only 3.8A main charge or 0.8A)

Hi Nick,
thanks for the reply / reccomendation; i'm a little worried about the statement "Can rescue drained batteries over 7.5v" - as my battery is currently at 5v... but i guess this is the same with all tricle chargers - needs around 9v to start with then maintains and tops up.

R

If your battery is at 5v then it is dead. We race electric cars at work and have spent hundreds of hours testing wet cell batteries. Ideally they should never be allowed to go below 11v. They will survive infrequent trips to 10v with an approx 5% loss of cycle duty for each time it happens. Go below 10v and the rate of damage is far quicker. A battery taken below 8v even once will never recover enough to be any use. What this means for you is that you need a new battery! If you change the old one up it will let you down in a matter of days, if not sooner. Don't bother with desulphation tabs or battery rescue gels, we have tried them all and they don't work. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. As for chargers, the cheap end c-tek ones are really good, they are much gentler than the expensive ones.

[Carlos W]

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item1e776137ca

I've got one of these, and it does the job just great!

That reminds me, I need to plug it into the bike!

[L400RAS]

Hmmm, looks like I will be getting a new battery, and also a tricle charger to maintain it when the car is not in use.

R

[Tamworthbay]

Hmmm, looks like I will be getting a new battery, and also a tricle charger to maintain it when the car is not in use.

R

The c tek (and a few others) have a lead you can leave permanently attached to the battery. It makes it very easy to trickle charge it. You can also get audible warnings that sound when the battery gets to a preset voltage e.g 11.5v. I got one off eBay from china for a couple of quid posted but anyone with a modicum of electronics knowledge could soon knock one up.

[Tamworthbay]

The audible alarm I use is like this one:

http://www.ebay.co.u...b5cc230d&_uhb=1

This one is in the uk as well so should get to you quick. It takes a bit of thought to rig up but is very helpful (as long as you go near your mini everyday of course!)

Edit: if you do go for one check with the seller that the low voltage warning is variable, some are fixed at a stupid low voltage that is no use for a car battery.

Edited by Tamworthbay, 18 February 2013 - 09:19 AM.

[Old Bob]

I have had a c-tek for the last three years. Nothing but good news and if you combine it with a good battery to start with, it will give you years of trouble free battery power - and maximum life from your new battery.

Bob

[KernowCooper]

I use a optimate Motorcycle charger originally my bike which is now gone and the mini in its place, works a treat and can be left on 24/7.

[L400RAS]

Thanks guys - got myself a nice Sealey 5A charger / maintainance unit this lunch time. Will give it a go on my (3 yr) old battery, but I am prepared to buy a new bat.

R