Trickle chargers and car batteries

**Alchemist** · 02-09-2010, 11:27 PM

Hi Guys,

Well I seem to drive my Supra less and less these days, but it still sits in the garage. Anyway after my recent trip to NZ, and a dead flat battery again after a month of neglect I've bought a trickle charger.

I've got a 12V one that does a charge, and once the batt is full it just does a top up. I was planning to chuck this on every other week I wasn't using the car.

I had a quick read of the manual before I hooked it up and it recommended disconnecting the battery from the car before charging it, which I did(not knowing any better).

From the googling I've done seems leaving the battery connected to the car will damage the voltage regulator or alternator.

Is there a simple way around this or am I destined to connect and disconnect my battery?

Cheers.

**kaido** · 02-09-2010, 11:54 PM

with my drift car and Ctek charger i leave the battery connected, the car has been on the charger pretty much every day for the last 2 years. alt and voltage reg are still fine.

**Cuzzo** · 03-09-2010, 07:15 AM

If its a problem get one of these...........

**S. Lowlux** · 03-09-2010, 08:11 AM

The way that I have to do this is to buy one of those little solar battery maintenance chargers from super cheap. Just plug it into cigy lighter socket & place near garage window. No need to even monitor or lift bonnet, works a treat.
Owen.

**thechuckster** · 03-09-2010, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by Alchemist

I had a quick read of the manual before I hooked it up and it recommended disconnecting the battery from the car before charging it, which I did(not knowing any better).

From the googling I've done seems leaving the battery connected to the car will damage the voltage regulator or alternator..

this = internet malarky

With the key off, there's no power to the IGN and Sense side of the regulator so it's not going to try and energize itself. Also, the alt is used to having a voltage source on the output side of the main charge terminal.

S. Lowlux: that means you have to leave the IGN on - or is your cig lighter always powered up?

**river** · 03-09-2010, 09:26 AM

Hi,

Originally Posted by S. Lowlux

The way that I have to do this is to buy one of those little solar battery maintenance chargers from super cheap. Just plug it into cigy lighter socket & place near garage window. No need to even monitor or lift bonnet, works a treat.
Owen.

Yep, that's what I use after going through a battery per annum on The 88 "Garage Queen". I had trouble with it charging through the ciggie lighter, so I cut off the ciggie plug and put on some small clips and attach directly to the battery. The wires are thin enough to let the bonnet close and lock.

So yeah, go solar... you may as well use the sun's energy 'cos I got no idea what else its good for.

seeyuzz
river

**Draven** · 03-09-2010, 09:30 AM

what prices were on your various trickle chargers?

I manage to get the supra out once a week, and just disconnect the battery if it's going to sit for much longer than that, but I'd also rather not be forking out for a new battery every year

**river** · 03-09-2010, 09:48 AM

Hi,

The solar units are about $30-$40. I used the disconencting technique but my radio unit would lose its stations and it would also flatten the alarm battery, plus I didn't want to continually connect-disconnect the battery as the clamps, over time, will fatigue.

I do have a proper battery/trickle charger, but not happy about leaving it connected to 240v all day and night when I am not at home. I'm sure it's safe, but I feel better not having to have it powered on while I am not there.

seeyuzz
river

**RONA** · 03-09-2010, 09:59 AM

I've have a solar trickle charger as well. Worked a treat when I was away earlier this year to keep the car charged. I use to have it on the Supra when it got driven once a month and it worked well. Without it, the alarm would drain the battery to the point that the Microleb wouldn't get enough voltage and cracked the shits in about 2 weeks.

**Alchemist** · 06-09-2010, 10:17 PM

Ah the joys of a lockup garage.....not much sun-light getting in there.

Draven, paid $80 for it at AutoOne, not the cheapest price around, but it was there and it's close to my place. 4A 6/12V charger, does tricklr and heavy duty charge and once 14.4V is read it goes into a 100ma top up mode. Took about 48 hours for a full trickle charge from deaded.

I like the look of the taps thingos, might have to invest in some.

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

I did take my Supra out for the first time in 3 weeks last night, and it was fun, skids chaning into 2nd

**Muzza** · 07-09-2010, 01:54 AM

charging with it connected should not affect ur components because it wont create a great spike in voltage and current. not like jump starting with another running car which is more likely to create a serge.. the best way is to charge the battery and then when ur not going to use the car for a while, is to disconnect the battery so its not being used for components with power to keep memory.

**airfireman1** · 07-09-2010, 09:56 AM

projecta make some pretty good chargers that will change to a float charge once the battery is fully charged. I have just bought a couple of egay with free freight and they were cheaper than i could find in most auto stores. They come with a harness and plug that can be permanently connected to the battery so no need to use battery clamps

**The Witzl** · 07-09-2010, 01:17 PM

Battery Chargers are my thing - im in charge of this product range with Jaycar, and I rekon we have an awesome lineup now (thanks to me, of course

)

First of all, the reason why a "trickle" charger is NOT recommended to be left permanently connected is that they damage the battery by overcharging it.

You need a full MAINTENANCE FLOAT charger.
These have proper computer controlled charging algorithms that monitor the condition of the battery and provide the appropriate charging cycle to keep the battery in tip-top condition.

I would recommend the following charger from Jaycar:
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MB3603

Model - MB3603.
Price - $49.95 retail

This is a FULL MAINTENANCE float charger, designed to be permanently connected to the battery and left for months on end. 3-stage charging algorithm, and 0.75A charge current.... so isnt exactly a FAST charger, but is intended for a car that is rarely used.

For a slightly better charger, go for the MB3604:
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MB3604

Price - $69.95 (on special at the moment)

This is a full maintenance float charger with 5-stage charging algorithm. It has two charging speeds - 0.8A and 3.8A - so it can charge a little faster, but is also designed to be permanently connected to the battery for long periods of time (years if you want to!). Again, it constantly monitors the battery and delivers the appropriate charging pattern, be that bulk, absorption, float or maintenance.

This one is a little cooler in the fact that it has a detactable lead set, so that you can leave a little eye-terminal pigtail lead permanently connected/bolted to the battery, and just plug in the charger to the pigtail lead when you park the car in the garage to charge it.
Then simply unplug the pigtail lead from the charger when you want to use the car.

I highly rate these chargers. Equivalent in features and performance to the C-Tek chargers, but a METRIC SHITLOAD cheaper.

I also dont recommend those solar gizmos for permanent connection. They dont have any electronic smarts to properly maintain the battery.

**parrot** · 10-09-2010, 02:24 PM

On the strength of The Witzl's recommendation, popped into Jaycar at lunchtime and bought two of these. Lets face it, one is never enough. Even better still, they are on special currently, and only $39.95 each, or if you buy 2-3 they are $35.90 each. For those with large collections, 4 or more are only $31.90 each.

http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MB3603

Model - MB3603.