Battery management ....

[jackwall5]

In the next few months, I will be leaving the car standing for a weeks at a time as I'm travelling alot ...

I've this mad idea ...

Is there a battery charger device that I could use .... by having it connected to the car battery and 'exercising' or 'topping up' the battery when I'm away.

In the last few weeks, it's really only been the weekends when the car has been used.

I'm worried I'm not 'using the battery enough'

Safe Driving

 

[Cole@MBS]

Thats a good idea, if you keep disconnecting the battery you run the risk of popping the rear SAM!

A battery conditioner is cheaper then the rear SAM!!!

 

[Mercedes 190E]

Yes-look up "C-Tek" on Google. Excellent three stage chargers that can be left connected for long periods. I have used one extensively with my fleet.

 

[television]

As above, the C tec will take care of it for you

 

[jackwall5]

Hi all,

Cheers for your replies ... and thanks for 1) endorsing what I thought might have been a mad idea and 2) suggesting a great solution.

I'm thinking along the lines of the XS 3600 C-Tek ... [I think the XS 7000 is not necessary]

Cost wise, it's an easy investment [I'd feared the idea might cost alot more to realise]

It seems to meet all my needs.

I probably will not mount it under the bonnet [toying with the idea to be honest] but cannot work out if the power supply cable can be disconnected at the charger or not or how to manage the cables?

Safe Driving

 

[Mercedes 190E]

The charging wires can be connected permanently to the battery terminals and then detatch from the charger using an inline connector that is fitted in the wire. That way, you then just plug in the charger to the connector and the powerpoint.

 

[HERBIEMERCMAN]

hi jackwall5, i have a boat in scotland with three batteries, i purchased a mains timer £4.50 and set it for four hours per day using a standard 4amp battery charger. this keeps the batteries in tip top condition. i am not familiar with the c-tek product but if they employ the dilectric bridge diodes which reduce the current on the back emf from the battery, then you will always have a slight current flow but enough to cause hydro bubbles and eventual plate errosion, you won't get sulphating of the plates which occurs on dorment flat batteries. batteries like to have a intermittant charge, then a heavy discharge which "sheds" the plates, bit like exercise. i will be pleasently suprised if the c-tek shuts off completely all be it it's the lesser of the evils from allowing your battery to go flat and sulphate the plates. best of both worlds and low cost is the mains timer. good luck. herbiemercman.

 

[television]

I believe Herbie that the Ctec has this innovation built in.

I have the details when I can find them

 

[Mercedes 190E]

The Cteks are designed to be left connected indefinitely without causing damage. I have left them connected for months without problems. Incidentally, Lidl (The discount supermarket) regularly sell a charger called "Tronic T4X" which is similar in appearance to the Ctek. I also have one of these and have been unable to discern any difference-it works exactly the same, but for less than half the price........;-)

 

[delboy777]

The Cteks are designed to be left connected indefinitely without causing damage. I have left them connected for months without problems. Incidentally, Lidl (The discount supermarket) regularly sell a charger called "Tronic T4X" which is similar in appearance to the Ctek. I also have one of these and have been unable to discern any difference-it works exactly the same, but for less than half the price........;-)

I have two of these Tronic T4X chargers, one of which i use on my Motorcycle it works brilliantly never had any problems with it. Its made in Germany so is a quality item with 2 years warranty.

 

[HERBIEMERCMAN]

hi everyone, i know the devices do their job and keep the batteries in a good state of charge, but if the potential is not completely shut down, even a trickle will erode the plates and reduce battery life. it may take time, and for most people this is acceptable, so everyone thinks they are the ultimate solution. i think they are good and for owners who care, but i don't know of any technology which shuts down completely and allows the plates to neautralise ( relax), thus halting electron transfer errosion. herbiemercman.

 

[television]

hi everyone, i know the devices do their job and keep the batteries in a good state of charge, but if the potential is not completely shut down, even a trickle will erode the plates and reduce battery life. it may take time, and for most people this is acceptable, so everyone thinks they are the ultimate solution. i think they are good and for owners who care, but i don't know of any technology which shuts down completely and allows the plates to neautralise ( relax), thus halting electron transfer errosion. herbiemercman.

I must find that C tec leaflet. Another firm has brought out a device that does what you say automatically and guarantee to rejuvenate the plates, I posted the detail up here once

 

[EGBM]

Another satisfied user here - kept the Granada battery in tip-top condition with no problems. And if it works for that, it'll work for anything :grin: