Battery charger recommendations please.

Strider590

^^ The CTEK has a cold charging mode for temps below 5c.

A slight slope shouldn't be an issue.

savemoney

xs700 £82.99

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/product-description/B000RI0BUE/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=248877031&s=automotive


There is a cigarette adaptor which you can use to charge battery up with charger, reviews claim you can use it safely

http://www.amazon.co.uk/CTEK-Cigarette-Lighter-Adapter-XS3600/dp/B002MT55HK/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1291466519&sr=1-1-fkmr1

callistris wrote: »

Can vouch also for the Ctek range as I sell them where I work;)

If funds will stretch I'd go for the the xs7000 as has more functionality than the 3600 its an excellent all round smart charger:D

Plus you can get these accessories which you connect to the battery from ctek which use a traffic light system pre warning you of a low battery;)

Like this https://www.kramp.com/shop/action/itemcatprd_60_-1_10551_409085_141793_618399_Comfort+Indicator++panel which is panel mounted in the car, plus you can charge the battery through it to

savemoney

Thanks Strider

mikey72

forgotmyname wrote: »

Replace the battery rather than spend money on a charger, Buy a charger later and use it to keep the battery in
good condition.

My sister bought a jump pack from halfords for nearly £80 when her battery started to play up, I ask why not buy a
new battery she said the cheapest they had was £125 for her car. She could have got one for half the price and less
than the cost of the jump pack.

I've got a new battery.
I do a lot of stop start driving, it'll run down the new one as well, some days jobs are less than 5 minutes away, so the car never gets chance to charge properly. Maybe once a month I put the battery on charge, (still in the car, and it's on a bad slope too), just to keep it fully charged occasionally. The original one lasted six years, so I'm not complaining.

VanMan2007

Just ordered one of the cigarette adaptors to go with the charger.

Presumably, you can then leave the charger IN the car, with doors locked, and there's no chance of it getting nicked whilst it works it's magic?

It just gets better! :cool:

I have to admit, I've been driving 30 years, but never had a battery charger - and most of my breakdowns have been due to flat batteries! Doh!

I definitely like the idea of giving the battery a charge every so often to keep in in good shape. So what is the best frequency - once a month, like Mikey - or does it depend on the time of the year, prevailing weather, etc?

anewman

Check your cigarette lighter is actually active with the ignition off (can charge phones etc). Otherwise I don't think it can charge it.

cyclonebri1

Not read the last page of the post but my reply is spread as such; Buy a new battery, you then don't need to worry about charging issues.
2ndly buy a new battery and then a clarke or similar start and charge unit, £70ish

Charge the neighbours a £5r a time and quick money back:money:

forgotmyname

The cigarette socket lead... As mentioned make sure it works with the ignition off. Otherwise it wont charge anything.

The charger is only 5amps i think so well within the sockets load ratings Usually 15A +

jimmo

I've got a Halfords, all singing, all dancing charger which can cope with standard batteries and sealed ones but, apart from desperately trying to extend the life of a dying battery I may have used 2 or 3 times in the last 10 years.
Way back in the 60s when jimmo was a lad it was said that simply starting a car would require the engine to run for 20 minutes for the dynamo to recharge the battery. Alternators should do it far more quickly.
The road outside my house has a slope and, on the very rare occasions when the battery is flat, I find it easier to bump start the car and take it for a half hour spin than take the battery out of the car and charge it up.
With the benefit of hindsight, if your battery is knackered, get a new one but don't waste your money on a charger.

forgotmyname

If it charges quickly that could be a sign the battery is past its best as the battery has deteriorated.

Half the plates may have furred up or corroded, It will charge quickly but it will also go flat quickly as the
original capacity maybe half what it used to be.

If you left your lights on with a new battery it may last 8 hours, Yours may only last 1 hours and maybe
a lot less.