Battery charger.

ryszard · 22nd March 2020, 22:53

Hi,maybe a bit obvious but due to the current situation I presume some of us will not be using our cars as frequently, so maybe check your battery chargers are still working to keep the batteries charged up between trips.Regards Ryszard.

postbasher · 24th March 2020, 18:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryszard

Hi,maybe a bit obvious but due to the current situation I presume some of us will not be using our cars as frequently, so maybe check your battery chargers are still working to keep the batteries charged up between trips.Regards Ryszard.

theres a thought.....so i wonder how often?can i do any harm?

COLVERT · 24th March 2020, 20:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by postbasher

theres a thought.....so i wonder how often?can i do any harm?

No harm at all if you leave it on one of the latest trickle chargers. THE CHARGE WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY REDUCED TO GIVE THE BATTTERY ONLY WHAT IT NEEDS.

Ooooops, sorry, hit caps lock.---

Mike2000 · 24th March 2020, 20:50

My battery is on charge as I type

steve-45 · 24th March 2020, 22:38

What’s people’s thoughts about changing via the cigarette lighter socket?

Would save having to remove the battery cover and leaving the bonnet open.

MarkS · 25th March 2020, 05:04

There are advantages and disadvantages of using the cigarette lighter socket.

Advantages:
1) Convenience, as has been stated.
2) Prevents reverse connecting the charging leads.
3) Damaged leads (and charger faults) are protected by the cigarette lighter socket fuse (15A?)

Disadvantages:
1) On the older cars, the socket won't work without the ignition key present and on the 2nd position. Newer cars will work without the key. Check to see if the cigarette lighter works without the key.
2) A loose cigarette lighter plug may become disconnected, and stop charging.

If the socket won't work without the key, there is the possibility of modifying the passenger fusebox, but the solution is not trivial.

A diode can be inserted into circuit to enable charging while keeping the socket dead without the key, but this diode may confuse more modern "Smart" battery chargers. Older "dumb" chargers will be unaffected.

22nd March 2020, 22:53	#1
ryszard Gets stuck in Moonstone diesel,X351 Jaguar and now MG ZT 260 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Northampton Posts: 682 Thanks: 288 Thanked 118 Times in 96 Posts	Battery charger. Hi,maybe a bit obvious but due to the current situation I presume some of us will not be using our cars as frequently, so maybe check your battery chargers are still working to keep the batteries charged up between trips.Regards Ryszard.

24th March 2020, 20:50	#4
Mike2000 Regular poster Rover 75 Join Date: May 2018 Location: Bedford Posts: 77 Thanks: 9 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	My battery is on charge as I type __________________ Mike

24th March 2020, 22:38	#5
steve-45 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon CDTi Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Belvedere Posts: 4,076 Thanks: 108 Thanked 1,089 Times in 774 Posts	What’s people’s thoughts about changing via the cigarette lighter socket? Would save having to remove the battery cover and leaving the bonnet open.

25th March 2020, 05:04	#6
MarkS Gets stuck in Rover 75 Diesel Tourer, called Perseverance Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 664 Thanks: 189 Thanked 157 Times in 108 Posts	There are advantages and disadvantages of using the cigarette lighter socket. Advantages: 1) Convenience, as has been stated. 2) Prevents reverse connecting the charging leads. 3) Damaged leads (and charger faults) are protected by the cigarette lighter socket fuse (15A?) Disadvantages: 1) On the older cars, the socket won't work without the ignition key present and on the 2nd position. Newer cars will work without the key. Check to see if the cigarette lighter works without the key. 2) A loose cigarette lighter plug may become disconnected, and stop charging. If the socket won't work without the key, there is the possibility of modifying the passenger fusebox, but the solution is not trivial. A diode can be inserted into circuit to enable charging while keeping the socket dead without the key, but this diode may confuse more modern "Smart" battery chargers. Older "dumb" chargers will be unaffected.