Trickle charger?

[V8andTurbos]

Long story short I'll be an unemployed bum for a while lol..

Dry storing my C63 end of the month for a few months in a nice big garage.

I'll be making sure,

Cars clean inside and out
Cars had recent service
Fuel filled to max
No parking break applied

What I'm not sure about is keeping the battery charged? Looked at getting a trickle charge which I think turns on occasionally to keep battery healthy and charged.. do they need to be plugged into the mains and would I connect the charger in the boot direct to battery?

Any recommendation on anything I've missed and what charger I should go for?

Streetwize 12v Trickle Charger

Seen this on ECP. Any good?

 

[AMGeed]

That charger will do the job. Just connect the clips to the battery, plug into the mains and turn on.
If you are feeling flush, the CTek MXS 5.0 is the one generally recommended as it has the eyelets that attach to the battery for easy connection every time.

CTEK Multi MXS 5.0 12V Car Battery Smart Charger & Conditioner NEW MODEL | eBay

 

[c63chris]

CTEK make really good ones and I believe the Mercedes branded ones are these. Use one on my SL and it works really well. Think mine is a 5.0. The website directs you to which model suits what you are doing. Fuel degrades over time so not sure brimming the car a good idea. Also tyres flat spot after a while so you may want to think about stands. Depends how long you are laying the car up for.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[anglaslt]

One of my cars is stored for several months during the winter and doesn't move. I would recommend a CTEK battery conditioner which can be left permanently attached to the car and plugged into the mains.

The CTEK has an option of using crocodile connectors or more permanent eyelets. My preference is to connect the eyelets to the battery charging points, or if that isn't feasible directly to the battery. I know there are often health and safety warnings about a direct connection but provided it is made after the car has stood and is well ventilated it should be OK.

Make sure when you put it away it is totally dry, especially the brakes.

HTH.

 

[PobodY]

I was going to say the same thing about fuel. - Better off leaving only a small amount so that you can put fresh in when you're starting it again.

If you've got a cheap set of tyres that you don't mind risking, put those on it. - I've got my Nissan on axle stands, and the main downside is that I don't have any spare axle stands now.

 

[anglaslt]

I would just add, make sure everything is turned off and the car is locked so it will shut down. I've always managed to route the cable out around the bonnet or the boot lid.

 

[V8andTurbos]

Unfortunately don't have spare wheels / tyres to fit but car won't be sat any longer than a few months. I read brimming the fuel tank reduces the risk of moisture getting in?

Maybe worth over inflating tyres to avoid flat spots?

 

[Chrishazle]

My 968 has stood for long periods over the 18 years I've owned one, longest was probably 3-4 months over winter more than once!! I've never over-inflated my tyres or noticed any flat spotting when resuming use of the car! However, I do keep a battery conditioner connected to the battery whenever she's in her garage, car has always started first time, and I'm convinced it also enhances battery life as the battery on my coupe was about 10 years old when I sold the car - and still going strong!

As many have said, CTEK is the acknowledged go-to brand but you'll pay £50 upwards. Every once in a while Lidl do a conditioner for £15, many have used one successfully for years but others have reported early failure of the unit.

 

[grober]

I think moisture in the tank refers to the days before plastic fuel tanks?

 

[flowrider]

I have read that it is recommended to stand the cars tyres on carpet if storing for a long time.

 

[PobodY]

It may also be that modern tyres don't deteriorate in quite the same way the tyres used to, so they last a lot longer before flat spotting.

 

[Jrattan]

Ditto the CTEK, use it on my GTR and keeps it topped up well. I was recommended
I needed to change my battery at my next service but I used this and did a re-condition once and now no problems at all. Great piece of kit.

 

[Dinnie]

It may also be that modern tyres don't deteriorate in quite the same way the tyres used to, so they last a lot longer before flat spotting.

I think so. These days cars have smaller side walls that are also stiffer than before.

 

[Jrattan]

Carpet works well for the tyres
Put some moisture absorbing bags in the cabin
Leave a small bit of the window open for ventilation
Cover the exhaust pipe

Some of that may seem a bit OCD.

 

[PhilT]

Can anyone help me with how to set up and use a ctek mxs 5 before I purchase one please?

Ive never had to do anything with a car battery so need to know how to safely set it up and how to connect the leads etc of anyone can help for a novice in this department?

 

[grober]

MXS 5.0

 

[JDL60]

MXS 5.0

Great link- simples !

 

[PhilT]

MXS 5.0

Thanks, I understand most of that now and only have two questions.

It looks like there are two different connection procedures how do I know which is the correct one for the c63? (1 for batteries mounted inside the car and the 2nd for cars with positively earthed battries) I have found the connection points under the bonnet as it says not to connect directly to battery in the boot.

The other question is once its gone through its procedure I guess then it will just turn on itself and supply a small charge as and when it detects a drop? And its ok to be left on for days/weeks at a time?

 

[JDL60]

Are you intending trickling the consumer battery or starter?
You can leave it on almost indefinitely - it will as you say top up when it detects a drop.
Good thing on the Ctek also unlike some others is that if you leave it on and there’s a power cut then your charger will reset back to the setting you had it on whereas the others will just go on standby

 

[PhilT]

Are you intending trickling the consumer battery or starter?
You can leave it on almost indefinitely - it will as you say top up when it detects a drop.
Good thing on the Ctek also unlike some others is that if you leave it on and there’s a power cut then your charger will reset back to the setting you had it on whereas the others will just go on standby

The reason for getting one is because the car will be stored away now for sometime but I dont want the battery to go flat if I decide to pull the car out or use it for the odd occasion. I assumed from reading up on stuff the ctek one I have mentioned will do that and you connect from under the bonnet?