Trickle chargers

Glaf

Glaf

New member
I am currently not using my car and curious to know when it’s advisable to start using a trickle charger?

Any recommendations if I need to use one?

https://www.screwfix.com/c/auto-cleaning/car-battery-chargers/cat12010001
 
Personally, mine is nearly 4 years old.
I've left it for up to 7 weeks at a time without any issues and never had any low battery warnings or issues. Mine won't be going on a trickle charger as I personally don't think they are needed.

Others will have different opinions. Which is fine.
I guess it depends on how long you are leaving it for without going for a drive, age of battery, luck, etc
 
Personally I am a fan of trickle chargers as my toy cars only do 2-4K per year. I use this one and it’s great.

https://www.ctek.com/uk/products/car/mxs-5-0-uk
 
The CTEC linked above is popular on here and is what I use on my hobby cars when left for months, or just needing a bit of a winter boost. Jaguar sell the same just rebadged. They can operate on different types inc AGM batteries

Do you need one? - probably not if the system is in good condition. Will it harm - no and may prevent risk of a non-start and will help keep the battery longer.
 
I SORN'd mine the last day of October, once a month I start it up, leave to warm to temperature and then 2 minute drive up and down my drive to lubricate all seals, clean brakes, quick run of aircon, then back under the cover. :?
Starts everytime, no low battery warning (original battery)
 
Agree with JurassicF, if you get caught will cost you a lot more than the price of a CTEC trickle charger.
 
The do charge, (inc recondition when required) and then trickle.

I've had a CTEK 5.0 for my RR for about 5 year now. I fixed it permanently in the corporate loft space and it worked well with the long CTEK extension lead and quick connectors.

It has however now failed and took an AGM battery with it. (£220.00 later!)

I suggest if you do use one - keep the unit away from sub zero temp environments.

I can't remember how much it cost me but not cheap. I also brought a £20 Aldi special buy which looks very similar. That one is still going after 5 years albeit in the garage. I believe an important function is the ability to cope with a power cut.
 
Interesting that you mention keeping the CTEK out of cold environments. Mine has been outside throughout this winter and although it hasn't been really cold down here in Somerset, we've had quite a few sub-zero nights. I bought the CTEK on the basis that it can sit outside in all weather and all temps. Is it common for them to fail and take batteries with them then?
 
Glaf said:
I am currently not using my car and curious to know when it’s advisable to start using a trickle charger?

Any recommendations if I need to use one?
Click to expand...

I've been using a Tec Optimate4 on my motorbike for several years now & have found it fantastic.  The bike lives in the garage and the Optimate is left permanently connected.

My F type lives outdoors and is used regularly, but not daily.  To date, touch wood, it has never had any battery issues.  The only sign it gives of not being optimally charged is that the start/stop doesn't usually work unless I've been in the car all day.  However, since I turn this off as soon as it does start to work, this isn't a problem.

I've recently been thinking of a charger/optimiser suitable for both the Jag and my wife's car.  After my experience using the Optimate4 on the bike, I'd definitely buy another Optimate for the car.  Looking at the specifications of the Optimate2 & Optimate5, the #2 is suitable, but the Jag battery, at 95Ah, is right on the upper recommended limit (96Ah).  The #5 is rated to 120Ah so is well over-specced.  Therefore I'm leaning towards the #5, being a firm believer that machines operating in the middle of their design range will last longer than those operating at the upper limit.

If you're interested, I bought my last Optimate from Sportsbikeshop, their link to the #5 as follows 
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/257206

If you are thinking of connecting a battery optimiser, remember to connect the +ve lead to the busbar terminal with the yellow wire, see earlier topic for lots of useful information
https://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=4459&p=49671&hilit=Battery+charg+Ctek#p49671
 
ajac said:
The do charge, (inc recondition when required) and then trickle.
Click to expand...

If you define "trickle" as "topping up as necessary" you're right. But it's not what I'd call trickle, that implies a contant low charge, regardless of the state of the battery. CTEKs are a bit smarter than that.
 
Manufacturer says : Automatic charging and maintenance!

The CTEK does the same as the Regular charge once it;s completed it charging cycle it then leaves the battery for a period before topping it back up, Thye also have a reconditioning mode to help restore lost capacity, and have specfic modes for AGM batteries.

I have the 5.0, and mine is on it permanently while SORN'd, but I have also used it to charge my other cars that get low from a lot of starting but not really any long runs.

Info here from mine
https://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=3920&start=60
 
scm said:
ajac said:
The do charge, (inc recondition when required) and then trickle.
Click to expand...

If you define "trickle" as "topping up as necessary" you're right. But it's not what I'd call trickle, that implies a contant low charge, regardless of the state of the battery. CTEKs are a bit smarter than that.
Click to expand...

I agree that the terms get mixed and misused, even by sellers. Probably to get the most descriptive terms to attract search hits..

Trickle IMO is typically an old style charger that applies a constant low charge regardless of battery need. Connect and after a few hours disconnect. Left for days can damage batteries. Trickle differentiating to rapid charge and similar terms to get a discharged battery charged quickly and a car started.
Maintainer has many different cycles and options, caters for different types of battery inc. AGM and can be left on as long as desired with no downside. Lots more electronics behind it
 
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