Trickle Chargers
- Thread starter Nodzed
- Start date
I can second the Lidl unit , had it a couple of years and found it very good.
I also love the fact that BMW provide handy locations to connect charger to ,without having to go back to the battery.
A lot better than the huge unit I still have stored in the shed.
I have used a Lidl one for about 3 years now on Sorned car's over winter... About £13 and it does everything it needs to..
However if you have lots of money, get a CTEK, as it does exactly the same job.
However if you have lots of money, get a CTEK, as it does exactly the same job.
Give me a shout when you want me to come and have a look at getting the electric sorted.
@Nodzed This is the one our Gary got me for Christmas last year Niall. Seems a good bit of kit and not a bad price. Still available on eBay.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOCHE-4A...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
Tony.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOCHE-4A...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
Tony.
I got a Lidl one when they were last in, never have the car off the road so not used it yet but they get great reviews just like the CTEK's.
Aldi have their version coming in store from Thursday https://www.aldi.co.uk/auto-xs-car-battery-charger/p/097043233607400
Aldi have their version coming in store from Thursday https://www.aldi.co.uk/auto-xs-car-battery-charger/p/097043233607400
I was going to get one of those last year Dave, but, being slow out of the blocks at almost 70 (ask your old man) they were sold out mate so I got the Voche one.
Tony.
) they were sold out mate so I got the Voche one.Tony.
They had loads in ours when I got one, normally I've missed out in the past. They tend to get them in a couple of times a year now. At least your slow out the blocks, he struggles even getting to the blocks at his age.I was going to get one of those last year Dave, but, being slow out of the blocks at almost 70 (ask your old man
Tony.
LMFAO Dave. Made my day mate.
Tony.
ps. I haven't forgotten those 3rd brake light decals mate.
You can pop anytime Jim and have a look mate. Probably be after Xmas before I get onto it though.
This has worked for me in my Triumph for 3 years now, the z3 sits on the drive with nothing and starts first time ( I do start it once every month
https://www.aldi.co.uk/auto-xs-car-...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CK_47aGGjd4CFdAw0wodIOcPxw
https://www.aldi.co.uk/auto-xs-car-...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CK_47aGGjd4CFdAw0wodIOcPxw
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- Feb 18, 2016
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- Model of Z
- Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)
Got and use the 5A CTEK unit on all the cars when needed used it on the Disco although that needed a 10A unit for charging to be fair. They will charge but essentially they are for conditioning batteries and supporting it over a long period of time.
Charging batteries and keeping them maintained is a bit of an art. While many devices can and will charge it takes some technology to keep a battery well conditioned over a long period and keep it at its best.
Personally I wouldn’t use a cheap unit to do that. Am sure many or all will keep the battery charged but maybe not the best way. I don’t see how they can invest in the software and firmware development to do that on cheaper devices.
If you put the cheapest batteries in your car you can maybe sacrifice them every two years. I expect and get at least 5 from mine though.
Charging batteries and keeping them maintained is a bit of an art. While many devices can and will charge it takes some technology to keep a battery well conditioned over a long period and keep it at its best.
Personally I wouldn’t use a cheap unit to do that. Am sure many or all will keep the battery charged but maybe not the best way. I don’t see how they can invest in the software and firmware development to do that on cheaper devices.
If you put the cheapest batteries in your car you can maybe sacrifice them every two years. I expect and get at least 5 from mine though.
never had any issues from using my cheap one..
They will all work. I’m sure of that.never had any issues from using my cheap one..
Here’s some advice I got from one of the power guys who maintain standby generators often located on top of cold hilltop sites.
Charging is simple. To be effective over a long period unattended a charger has to do a number of things.
To be effective your charger should run three stages.
Constant current phase
Topping phase
Float phase.
The topping phase (reducing current) can take twice as long as the constant current phase. 6+ hours compared to 3 hours or so.
It’s the float stage that is important to batteries only on charge 24/7.
If your charger doesn’t properly float charge it constantly create heat and it will eventually hurt the battery life.
The float charge should be increased or decreased depending on lower or higher ambient temperature.
Even float charging will reduce capacity over time, but you’re talking several years to reduce to 85%.
Pulse charging is claimed to recover from sulfation of the plates. That occurs when a battery is left discharged before recharging. There comes a point where that recovery can’t be achieved. Pulse charging is something that many say has little or no effect.
Some chargers disconnect the battery from float charge to allow self discharge and then reapply charge current and maintenance voltage. If the battery is in the car, the parasitic load will drain a little out of the battery and the charger will kick in again later.
When charged the plates also effectively have a capacitor effect. This has to be removed to get a proper voltage reading.
So, there’s quite a bit to think about if you’re putting a battery on long term charge.
Hopefully that explains what a battery conditioning charger has to do. Damage may not immediately apparent from incorrect charging.
maplin used to do slolar panels i bought a couple a few years ago and use them on some of my motorbikes... i used to use one on my saab too when that was laid up mounted on my garage roof ( the solar panel not the saab)... they provide enough current to gently top up the battery in the day in sunlight and thats even in the darkest winter. i think you can still get them in other places amazon probably do them.... aldis too so it just said on interweb...
https://www.google.co.uk/search?biw....272....0.ziMLXJIAHhg#spd=3395405063457239899
https://www.google.co.uk/search?biw....272....0.ziMLXJIAHhg#spd=3395405063457239899
as long as we are both happy with our individual purchases and experiences... thats what matters.
I can offset the £50 difference against my next battery.... whenever that is.
It works for me, and I've not noticed any increased purchase in batteries to be honest. Each one lasts beyond the battery warranty offered, and that's with each car I have had.
Was just trying to explain the complexity of maintaining a battery that’s unloaded and potentially outdoors.as long as we are both happy with our individual purchases and experiences... thats what matters.
I can offset the £50 difference against my next battery.... whenever that is.
It works for me, and I've not noticed any increased purchase in batteries to be honest. Each one lasts beyond the battery warranty offered, and that's with each car I have had.
You can charge a battery with virtually anything. Old chargers were simple rectified transformers.
Technology here, like all things progresses and can now take account of many factors. While a low cost charger will still do the job probably without any apparent problems and cope with most circumstances, they may not deal with all of them. But then, you may never know either.
Look after the battery it will hopefully look after you. But, what is guaranteed is, eventually, it will still fail.