Trickle Charge time to charge

[dowtherz]

Have tried to take the SLK32 out of the garage today after its winter break only find the battery is flat (turned it over a month ago). Have it on trickle charge now. How long should I wait before trying to start it? Thanks in advance

 

[wemorgan]

My CLK320 battery takes 12-18 hrs to charge.

 

[dowtherz]

I better cancel the MOT I booked for today then!

 

[kwakdonut]

I'd agree - you're looking at a good overnight charge to help you along

 

[BTB 500]

If your garage has mains electricity then a 'maintenance charger' would be a good investment. My SL is hooked up to an AccuMate every time I put it in the garage ... keeps it 100% charged and ready to go:

[/QUOTE]

http://www.accumate.co.uk/

Also sold by others e.g.

http://www.vertar.com/tecmate/accumate-6-12v-charger-optimiser/

 

[recycled]

why the trickle charge? i charged mine on full. 8 hrs

 

[flango]

If your garage has mains electricity then a 'maintenance charger' would be a good investment. My SL is hooked up to an AccuMate every time I put it in the garage ... keeps it 100% charged and ready to go:

http://www.accumate.co.uk/

Also sold by others e.g.

http://www.vertar.com/tecmate/accumate-6-12v-charger-optimiser/[/quote]

Another vote for the Accumate I have the same set up as BTB 500 best £40 I ever spent

 

[dowtherz]

mmm, the £4 poxy trickle charger from ebay has been on charge for a day now. Turned the key today and clunk, clunk - a distinct lack of supercharger fire up! Will leave it to the experts - Mobilo coming out on Fri. Probably a simple case of jump starting it or battery could be gone (6 yrs old). We will see...

 

[kwakdonut]

I use Optimate's on both my bikes - yet another vote for these chargers!!

 

[grober]

If the battery is indeed 6 years old as you say buy a new one. Its past its sell by date. Ignore the gainsayers who will tell you the one in their car is 12 years old and good as new. 5 years is a maximum useful life expectancy for a battery in todays "electronic heavy" cars IMHO.

 

[wemorgan]

why the trickle charge? i charged mine on full. 8 hrs

I believe a trickle charge will charge a battery more than a rapid charge.

If a battery has been completely discharged (e.g. the car lights were left on overnight) and next is given a fast charge for only a few minutes, then during the short charging time it develops only a charge near the interface. After a few hours this interface charge will spread to the volume of the electrode and electrolyte, leading to an interface charge so low that it may be insufficient to start the car.

 

[umedc]

I use Optimate's on both my bikes - yet another vote for these chargers!!

yes i use optimate on mys55amg,best £40.00 i spent ,apart from buying beer

 

[trickydicky]

Battery Maintenance

If your car is not in regular use (i.e. not your daily transport), and sits in the garage waiting for those special days, it is advisable to connect the battery to a maintenance device (charger/conditioner). Probably the best being the CTEK (Multi XS range). See Find the right battery charger - MULTI XS 3600 . These ensure your battery is always in tip-top condition and will prolong its life. They can be left connected whenever the vehicle is not being used. I wouldn't be without mine.

 

[219]

mmm, the £4 poxy trickle charger from ebay has been on charge for a day now. Turned the key today and clunk, clunk - a distinct lack of supercharger fire up! Will leave it to the experts - Mobilo coming out on Fri. Probably a simple case of jump starting it or battery could be gone (6 yrs old). We will see...

A battery which is allowed to fall into a state of discharge will rapidly deteriorate . The plates will take on a coat of lead sulphate which reduces its capacity . Moreover , a discharged battery is more prone to the electrolyte freezing in cold weather with the danger of rupturing the casing - you don't want sulphuric acid eating its way through your engine bay .

As already stated , five years or so is a realistic life for a battery . A maintenance charger will definitely extend the life of a battery in a little-used car ; although my cars sit on the drive , I have a blue 'arctic' extension cable allowing me to keep the charger inside the car and I just run this periodically to keep the battery charged .

 

[V12]

I have a £10 solar charger from maplin, this keeps everything topped up nicely i find, and best of all, no plugging in needed, if the bike or car is in the garage, i hook the panel on the outer wall and run the cable under the door and inside...