Trickle charger for the weekenders - Solution here!

[PASHN8]

Hey guys,

I drive my SE two to three times a month and always find the battery takes a beating as it doesn't get regular use. Ongoing use of conventional battery chargers will damage the battery over a period of prolonged use so I started doing some research on 'smart' chargers and only top-up the battery as it loses charge.

After much research and asking advice on a much larger car forum with member who have classics and weekend toys came across this beauty!

12V 5-Stage Car & Motorbike Maintenance Charger (0.8A / 3.8A, IP65 rated)


This 5-stage fully automatic switchmode battery maintenance charger is the perfect companion for any car or motorbike enthusiast.

Three different modes of operation make this charger suitable for all types of sealed lead acid (SLA) batteries - wet cell, gel cell, and AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries ranging in capacity from 1.2Ah to 120Ah.

The micro-computer controlled circuitry will diagnose the battery's state of charge, provide the correct charging mode, eventually switching over to float/maintenance charge to keep the battery at full charge and eliminate battery sulphation. This charger can also recover slightly sulphated batteries as low as 7.5V, and will even charge batteries in sub-zero temperatures.

The interchangeable lead sets allows a charging lead to be permanently attached to your battery for quick connection/disconnection of the charger - a must have for motorbikes with hard to reach battery terminals or that classic car that spends most its life in the garage!

100% safe to leave connected to your vehicle's battery for months on end, with no damage to your vehicle or battery.

• Short circuit and reverse polarity protection
• Anti-spark protection
• Dust & splash proof (IP65 rated)
• Standby, fault, mode selection and charging LED indicators
• 1.8m mains input cable
• 1.8m charging cable, with interchangeable fly leads (ring terminals or alligator clips)
• Mounting feet for wall mounting

Specifications:
• 3 different charging modes:
• MODE 1: 14.4V / 0.8A, for motorbike batteries
• MODE 2: 14.4V / 3.8A, for car batteries
• MODE 3: 14.7V / 3.8A, for AGM batteries and sub-zero temperatures
• Dimensions: 175(L) x 60(D) x 45(H)mm

Approval Number: Q070702

More info:
http://www.jaycar.com/productView.asp?U ... BCATID=295

I will be purchasing one tomorrow for mine and thought i'd share the info in case anyone else has been contemplating the same issue

D.

[Okibi]

I got a similar one from Kmart after someone (Adam?) recommended them here.

I ordered an extra pair of leads that attach to the battery clamps and the charger can quickly be connected.

Both were too short for the application so I got more of the plugs from jcar (same as tamiya RC battery ones) and made up my own leads.

All my cars and the motorbike all have one and I just clip the charger on when I think the battery might need a top up.

Another solution would be to get one of those solar trickle chargers, stick it on the roof of your garage and extend the lead to reach.

[fattima]

I've got a similar thing from Ctek they have a fairly good reputation, has not let me down yet. Cheapest price I found was on e-bay

[PASHN8]

Picked it up, $79.95 and a very very well made unit, solid.

Installed it in 5mins and have connected it up and looks like it will do the job nicely

[MX5CHIC]

Before my car received it's very own underground parking space for XMas, I used to use a Solar Charger which sat on the rear shelf - beleive it or not it actually worked very well.

[Fatty]

anyone got a link to one of these solar chargers?

[MX5CHIC]

No, but you can buy them at any Repco Shop or Caravan / RV suppliers.

[SuperMazdaKart]

according to the sales guy at the local Battery World here, lots of caravaners use the solar chargers, just bigger versions. & is reccomended to be used with a voltage regulator so it's not still charging when the battery is already recharged.

[Craig]

I've found a cheaper solution...drive the car more!

[MX5CHIC]

..... or don't ever drive the car. The solar panel charger I referred to supplies just enough charge to counteract your alarm system and other standby power use on a car, it is about the size of a standard number plate and cannot supply enough current to overcharge your battery so you definitely do not require a regulator.

[PASHN8]

Lol @ Craig, I would if I could!